Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0UE. Free entry

Details

Accessibility

"To retain the peace of the Gardens, there is no parking within the grounds but on-street parking is available in Queen Margaret Drive immediately adjacent to the entrance. Limited parking for blue badge holders is available within the Gardens." Baby Changing Facilities in Disability Toilet.

Brief description

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Botanic_Gardens

"Glasgow Botanic Gardens is a botanical garden located in the West End of Glasgow, Scotland. It features several glasshouses, the most notable of which is the Kibble Palace.

The Gardens has a wide variety of temperate and tropical flora,[1] a herb garden, a chronological bed with plants arranged according to their introduction to Scotland, the UK's national collection of tree ferns,[2] and a world rose garden officially opened in 2003 by Princess Tomohito of Mikasa.[3]

The River Kelvin runs along the north side of the Gardens and continues through Kelvingrove Park, the Kelvin walkway providing an uninterrupted walking route between the two green spaces.

The Kibble Palace is a 19th-century wrought iron and cast-iron-framed glasshouse, covering 2137 m2. Originally designed for John Kibble by architects James Boucher and James Cousland for his home at Coulport on Loch Long in the 1860s,[6] the components were cast by Walter Macfarlane at his Saracen Foundry in Possilpark. Eventually brought up the River Clyde by barge to the Botanic Gardens, it was fully erected at its current location in 1873 by Boyd of Paisley.[7]

The building structure is of curved wrought iron and glass supported by cast-iron beams resting on ornate columns, surmounted on masonry foundations. It was initially used as an exhibition and concert venue, before being used for growing plants from the 1880s.The building contains a large collection of orchids, carnivorous plants and tree ferns.

Outstanding Features:

Glasgow Botanic Gardens is home to a number of significant plant collections including:

The National Collection of Begonias

The National Collection of Tree Ferns

The National Collection of Dendrobium Orchids

An Extensive Collection of Economic and Medicinal Plants

The Substantial collection of trees opened the door to membership of The National Tree Collections of Scotland

Within the Kibble Palace there is a fine collection of marble statues including the popular 'Eve' and 'King Robert of Sicily' "

Address

Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0UE

Email

info@glasgowbotanicgardens.com

Phone

0141 276 1614 (Tea room)

Website

https://glasgowbotanicgardens.com/

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/botanicgardens

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Botanic_Gardens

Directions

"To retain the peace of the Gardens, there is no parking within the grounds but on-street parking is available in Queen Margaret Drive immediately adjacent to the entrance. Limited parking for blue badge holders is available within the Gardens."

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

2024: "All areas of the Botanic Gardens are free to enter. The Gardens are open 7am to dusk all year. The Glasgow Botanic Gardens grounds and glasshouses are free to the public. You can access the grounds including the Arboretum from 7am to dusk, year round. You can access the Kibble Palace and Main Range glasshouses from 10:00 to 18:00 during the summer and 10:00 to 16:00 during the winter.

The Tea Room opening and service times:

The Tea Room at the Botanic Gardens is open daily from 10am until 5pm. Lunch served 12 until 4pm, Afternoon tea served 12 until 4pm, Cakes and drinks served until 4.30pm"

Transport

Subway: Hillhead, 7 min walk from Gardens; Rail: Partick or Hyndland stations, both a 25 min walk from Gardens; Bus: First Group buses

Amenities

Toilets, Tea Room

"Self Led Trails:

We have a fine Heritage Trail through the Gardens with almost 30 points of interest taking you down to the Kelvin Walkway and the Gardens Arboretum.

We have a Tree Trail that leads you through a waymarked trail of the Gardens and Arboretum.

For younger children we have a Minibeasts, Birds and Trees of the Botanics which is a waymarked trail that is aimed at young families.

Brochures supporting the Trails can be found in the Kibble Palace."