Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens featuring a garden
Botanic Gardens featuring interior views and a park
Botanic Gardens showing a park and interior views
Botanic Gardens showing a park
Botanic Gardens which includes interior views and a park


Tour the park and arboretum with century-old trees, have a picnic on the lawn, watch a concert, or admire the design of the impressive 19th-century glasshouses.

Discover tropical plants, stroll along the banks of the River Kelvin and picnic on the bright green lawns at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Glaswegian Thomas Hopkirk, a botanist, founded the gardens in 1817 with a core of 3,000 plants. The gardens moved to its current location in 1839 and opened in 1842 as a members-only garden. Today, this public park attracts almost half a million visitors per year.Check the website of the park to see if you can join a free guided tour, or explore the park at your own pace. Start at the Kibble Palace, the glasshouse dominating the 42-acre (20-hectare) gardens. Inventor and engineer John Kibble designed the impressive structure in the 1860s for his private residence. Enter the glasshouse to see the collection of Southern Hemisphere fern trees as well as sculptures and statues, including King Robert of Sicily by the famous Scottish sculptor George Henry Paulin. Find orchids, begonias and tropical plants in the Main Range houses, which are old Victorian buildings from the 1880s.Pick up a map of the Heritage Trail inside the Kibble Palace and set aside two hours to complete it. Admire the 30 historical sites, including bridges and train stations. Check out the tall black oak and 200-year-old weeping ash tree in the arboretum. Enjoy a picnic on the lawns in front of the glasshouses or buy lunch in the garden’s café.Come during the weekend to enjoy public events, such as crafts markets, theater, book fairs or concerts. Check the official Glasgow Botanic Gardens website for the calendar of events and live performances.The Glasgow Botanic Gardens in West End is open daily, but closes at dusk. Entrance is free and there are public toilets. The glasshouses, the Visitor Centre and the Tearoom open mid morning and usually close earlier than the park grounds. The site is a 40-minute walk from the city center. The Hillhead Underground Station is a five-minute walk away and you can also get there by bus or car from the city center. Free and metered street parking is available nearby.

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Reviews of Botanic Gardens

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
93
5 - Excellent 59%
4 - Good
46
4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
17
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Interesting history and great to go in if it's a cool day! Very good tea room with delicious scones! Lawns and seats to relax and watch the world go by, all free of charge to visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Mezzer

Lovely relaxing place to visit. Being a Crystal Palace fan I loved the fact that it was inspired by the old Crystal Palace.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Interesting place to spend a couple of hours; tea room is excellent. Can easily walk from here to Glasgow Uni Hunterian and Kelvingrove.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Within walking distance

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Things to do near Botanic Gardens

At the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including classical concerts and live music performances. The gardens offer a serene escape amidst the bustling city, allowing you to explore stunning plant collections while also being close to vibrant theatre and art venues. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover the unique sights of Glasgow, making your visit a delightful blend of nature and culture.

Shopping

The Botanic Gardens in Glasgow offers a delightful shopping experience nearby. Visit Chinatown, only 1.6km away, for a vibrant selection of gifts. Buchanan Galleries and Argyll Arcade, both 3.2km away, feature a mix of entertainment and shopping options for all the family.

Recreation

At Hampden Park, immerse yourself in the energetic atmosphere of live sports events, just 6.4km from the Botanic Gardens. Enjoy rejuvenating strolls and picnics at Queen's Park, located 4.8km away, which offers serene landscapes ideal for relaxation and wellness activities.

Adventure

The West Highland Way Trailhead, located 6.4km from Botanic Gardens, offers stunning hiking adventures amidst breathtaking scenery. For a more casual outdoor experience, explore the Hillside Path, situated 4.8km away. For adrenaline seekers, the Glasgow Climbing Centre, 3.2km distant, provides thrilling climbing opportunities.

Nightlife

In Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, the vibrant nightlife includes the Kings Theatre and Theatre Royal, both offering rich cultural performances just 1.6km away. For a more relaxed evening, the Pavilion Theatre, two miles from the gardens, provides a charming atmosphere perfect for families and couples alike.

*Distances are measured in a straight line; actual driving distances may vary depending on the route.

Find the best attractions near Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens in Glasgow offer a delightful blend of attractions, including entertainment facilities, modern universities, and vibrant squares. Visitors can immerse themselves in local culture, enjoy family-friendly activities, and explore the beautiful green spaces. With a variety of points of interest, the gardens serve as a perfect base for those seeking a rich cultural experience in the heart of the city.

  • OVO Hydro: Experience thrilling live entertainment at OVO Hydro, a premier arena known for hosting concerts and events. With a vibrant atmosphere, it's perfect for families looking to enjoy a memorable night out, just one mile from the serene Botanic Gardens.
  • University of Glasgow: Immerse yourself in history at the University of Glasgow, Scotland's fourth oldest university. Located just 644m away, its stunning Gothic architecture and rich cultural heritage offer a fascinating glimpse into academic life.
  • Buchanan Street: Stroll along Buchanan Street, a bustling shopping precinct two miles from the Botanic Gardens. With its lively outdoor vibes, it's an ideal spot for families to explore shops, cafes, and street performances.

Best time to go to Botanic Gardens

The best time to visit Botanic Gardens can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Botanic Gardens falls in July, when visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain. The coolest average temperature around Botanic Gardens falls in January, visitor numbers are slightly low and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain.

calendarCalendar MonthtemperatureTemperaturerainPrecipitationmostlyCloudinessoccupationOccupancypricePricing
January37.8°F (3.2°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowSlightly Low
February38.7°F (3.7°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowAverage
March41.0°F (5.0°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
April45.0°F (7.2°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly HighAverage
May50.0°F (10.0°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
June55.2°F (12.9°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly High
July57.6°F (14.2°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly HighSlightly High
August56.7°F (13.7°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly High
September53.6°F (12.0°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
October48.6°F (9.2°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly HighSlightly Low
November42.6°F (5.9°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
December39.0°F (3.9°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowAverage

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Botanic Gardens

For a budget-friendly visit to the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow, consider travelling in January or October to November when accommodation prices are lower. Booking around a month in advance often yields the best rates, especially for Monday stays, while Saturdays are pricier. Use Expedia to find last-minute deals and refine your search by budget and location. Combining your hotel, flights, and activities in a package deal can lead to substantial savings. Don't forget to explore free activities in the gardens to fully enjoy your visit without breaking the bank.

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around Botanic Gardens are January and October to November, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to June to August, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The best time to book a hotel: Booking a hotel around Botanic Gardens about 1 month out from when you are planning to stay is usually when prices are lowest. If you're a little more spontaneous, you could also peruse Expedia's last minute deals for hotels, look out for the green banner below the price, as this indicates a cheaper deal.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around Botanic Gardens is Monday. The most expensive day to stay around Botanic Gardens is Saturday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Utilise Expedia’s search tool to refine your preferences, such as your budget, desired location, and the type of accommodation you favour. To discover the most affordable prices and offers, arrange the price filter from lowest to highest.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can enjoy significant savings by combining your hotel stay near the Botanic Gardens with your flights and activities through an Expedia package.

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