Warneford 200

To mark its 200th anniversary, the Warneford Hospital has organised a year-long programme of events, supported by a £156,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fun. Commemorations include a touring exhibition, theatre performances, workshops and talks for the public. For details see www.warneford200.co.uk  

Therapy Garden
A central part of the anniversary commemorations has been the creation of a new therapy garden in the grounds of the hospital, drawing attention to the important role played by gardens and gardening in promoting mental wellbeing ever since the hospital’s opening in 1826.

Free garden workshops
In addition to the garden being open to the public throughout the year, the Warneford is hosting a series of free garden workshops for the general public. These provide an opportunity to find out more about the new therapy garden and the historic links between green spaces and mental health wellbeing. There will also be the chance to ask questions and to get hands on in the garden, with weeding and tidying up of the planters and further planting.
Spaces are free, but you are asked to email Laura McCarthy, Green Spaces Coordinator to secure a place.
Friday 10 July, 1-2pm
Saturday 29 August, 11am-12 noon
Saturday 26 September,11am-12 noon

Horticulture in the W200 Garden
These interactive sessions are open to the general public and include information and background to the design, content and delivery of the new therapy garden. Participants will be invited to join in with tending to the planters, watering, weeding and refreshing planting as required.

Sound and Music – Creative Health Workshops
Saturday 11 July, 11am-1pm: 
Try your hand at creating music from nature sounds and bio-electrical plant data collected from plants in the Warneford 200 garden. Led by music producer Chris Wright, the participants will use nature and synthesizers to make digital music. Open to the general public and staff.

Summer pruning workshop
Saturday 25 July, 11am-12 noon. 

Learn the Basics of Orchard Management
Saturday 12 December, 11am-12 noon
Join Laura McCarthy, Green Space Coordinator, at the Warneford Orchard to learn the basics of orchard maintenance and take part in some restorative pruning of one of our historic orchard trees. Open to the public and staff.

Play: Within These Walls
The premiere of a moving new play exploring 200 years of life inside a mental health institution comes to Oxford. Written by Janet Bolam, Within These Walls  is a collaboration between Human Story Theatre and Oxford Health Charity to mark 200 years of Warneford Hospital in Headington. Described as “compassionate and deeply human“, the play reflects on the lives of those who lived within institutional walls, the people who cared for them, and the enduring healing power of human connection.

The production will run for two weeks at The Sanctuary (Warneford Hospital’s former chapel), with all proceeds from ticket sales going to support the work of Oxford Health Charity. This will be followed by three further performances at the Old Fire Station Theatre in Oxford.

The story follows ‘Stu’ and ‘Lucy’, two patients seeking refuge from painful circumstances. Plagued by questionable treatments, separation from their children, and fragile confidence in their own mental resilience, they form an unlikely bond – one that quietly ignores a haunting suspicion that their friendship may not be what it seems. The production offers a powerful lens on changing attitudes to mental health care, resilience, and dignity across generations.

Each performance will be followed by a post-show panel discussion featuring mental health professionals, guest experts from partner organisations, and opportunities for audience members also to be a part of the conversation. Please note: this performance contains scenes that some viewers may find distressing.

To book tickets for performances in the Sanctuary or The Old Fire Station go to their website