Birmingham Botanical Gardens

• Birmingham Botanical Gardens offers 15-acres of stunning formal horticulture in Edgbaston.
• Its four iconic glasshouses display a huge range of diverse plant life from the tropical rainforest and Mediterranean climates to the arid desert.
• The gardens also feature a 19th-century, Grade II listed bandstand, charming Butterfly House and a huge expanse of landscaped greenery.
• Look out for the wonderful music concerts and seasonal walks taking place within the grounds as well as tons of family gardening activities, children's trails, and orienteering ventures.

Set across 15 glorious acres in the scenic Edgbaston area of the city, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses are a historic site of horticulture celebration and conservation created during the Victorian era of England.

The history of the Birmingham gardens dates back to the early 19th-century when the Birmingham Botanical and Horticultural Society was founded. After opening the gardens in 1832, the four famous glasshouses on-site were slowly added one by one and now house thousands of diverse plants across their largely retained original design. The Birmingham garden glasshouses offer four different climates for their huge range of exotic, rare and unique plants to thrive in. The Tropical House retains a hot and humid atmosphere to replicate that of the tropics, allowing its varied collection of ferns, herbs, water plants, trees and epiphytes to flourish. Largest of all four glasshouses, the Subtropical House is tall enough to accommodate the palm trees and huge bird-of-paradise plants characteristic of the subtropical region, housing a completely one of a kind Dicksonia x lathamii tree fern! In the Mediterranean House, you can expect the colourful atmosphere of a Victorian orangery with tons of vibrant citrus varieties and bright flower beds originating from the summer delights of Australia and South Africa. Finally, the Arid House most closely simulates the dry climates of deserts, cliffs and tree branches with intriguing cacti, South African living stones, and Central American succulents. Elsewhere, the Alpine House showcases an award-winning collection of ever-changing plants from the mountain regions of the world, where species have adapted to grow on tall hillsides and above the usual 'treeline', and the tranquil Japanese Garden features an acclaimed National Bonsai Collection in its very own courtyard.

Another must-see feature of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the mesmerising Butterfly House, which features hundreds of tropical and vibrantly coloured butterflies from Africa, Central America and the Philippines. Kids and adults alike will delight in walking amongst the dazzling Butterfly House and watching these lovely creatures drinking from nectar plants, feeding on fermented fruit and spreading their gloriously patterned wings. The Botanical Gardens also offers a huge range of wonderful family activities to get little ones fully engaged with the wonders of the horticulture world. Gardens' Explorer Backpacks are available from the centre so that you can really make the most of your visit, with tons of creative activities and garden resources suitable for children of every age. Pick from the themes of birds, plants, bugs or trees and get exploring with your binoculars, magnifying glass, calculators, tape measures and craft materials in hand! There are also plenty of children's trails to be undertaken at the Birmingham Botanical Garden, which are the perfect mix of interactive fun and fascinating education. Little nature-lovers can embark on a Brilliant Butterflies, Garden Minibeasts or Plant Record Breakers trail whilst daredevils can brave the Dangerous Plants route, and Potterheads can discover the magical specimens that inspired the rich plant life of the Harry Potter books. Any real adventurers and dedicated Scouts can also opt for an orienteering trail around the gardens, navigating their way around a numbered map.

No matter what season you're looking to visit in, this bountiful botanic garden always has something exciting on offer from exploring in the Birmingham Arboretum to catching one of the famous live shows at Bands in the Gardens, which offer a music concert setting like no other. Whilst you're in the city, you can discover even more Birmingham history and beauty at their central Museum and Art Gallery, or continue exploring the wonders of the natural world at the immersive Thinktank centre nearby.

What to know before you go

• The Edgbaston Botanical Gardens are open every day from 10am, other than Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The gardens close at 5pm in Winter and 6pm in the summer months. The last admission is thirty minutes before this closing time.
• We recommend allowing at least two to three hours to enjoy your visit to the garden in full.
• The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are free for children under five, and there are varying rates for adults, concessions and disabled visitors with their carers. Family tickets are also available.
• For eating and drinking on site, you can visit the delightful Pavilion Tea Room, which serves hot drinks, light lunches and a delicious afternoon tea. Near to the children's playground, you can also find the Summerhouse hut, which serves ice creams, snacks and drinks.
• Be sure to stop by the gift shop on-site, which offers a great range of gardening items, stationery, gifts, souvenirs and plants to take home with you.
• There is also an art gallery showcasing and selling local artwork on-site, as well as a horticulture library and a great children's playground.
• There are toilets and baby changing facilities on-site.
• The Birmingham Gardens are accessible for wheelchair users and buggies with ramp access into the main entrance, level access throughout the garden and glasshouses, as well as some mobility scooters and wheelchairs available to borrow for free during your visit. An accessible toilet can be found within the Main Reception. Please note there are some grassy paths around the Woodland Walk and Butterfly House and gravel paths at the Rock Garden.
• There is ramp access into the Pavilion Tea Room and shop.
• Assistance dogs are allowed in the garden, but no other pets will be permitted on-site.
• If you become a member of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, you can also gain entrance to many other gardens in the UK including The Living Rainforest, Kew Gardens and Westonbirt Arboretum.

Getting there

• Birmingham Botanical Gardens are located in the Edgbaston region of the city within the West Midlands.
• If you are travelling via car, the venue is accessible from the M40, M5 and M5. Follow the brown tourist signs for Botanical Gardens.
• There is a car park on site which is free for members and Blue Badge holders and £2 per car for all other visitors.
• Further city centre parking near Botanical Gardens Birmingham can be found at the NCP Horsefair car park or NCP Gough Street car park.
• Many buses stop right nearby the venue including the numbers 1, X8, 9, X10, 12, 12A, 13, 13A, 13B, X21, 23, 24 and 126.
• The nearest train station is Five Ways, which is a 20-minute walk to the venue, or Birmingham New Street Station can be easily accessed via any of the bus routes above.