Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens has tropical plants, giant bird feeders, a rose garden, an alpine garden, mature trees, flower beds and sculptures. The place was established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society, in response to public interest in horticulture and botany. It was originally known as the Belfast Botanic Garden.

Public park

The site was sold to the Belfast Corporation and re-opened as a public park, known as Botanic Gardens, in 1895. The gardens contained exotic tree species and impressive plant collections from the southern hemisphere, many of which can still be seen in the park.The park is popular with residents, students and tourists and is a venue for concerts, festivals and other events.

Getting to Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens are in south Belfast. Enter the park at Botanic Avenue, Stranmillis Embankment and University Road. Take any Metro no. 8 and get off at Queen's University. You can also take Metro no.7 and get off at College Park.

Green Flag awards

Botanic Gardens has been awarded a Green Flag every year from 2011 to 2019. This award recognises the best open spaces in the UK.

Palm House and Tropical Ravine

The Palm House and the Tropical Ravine are in Botanic Gardens.

Park events

To find out about activities and events in Belfast parks, go to Park events.

ParkLife Saturday Club at Botanic Gardens

ParkLife is a fun, free educational programme to encourage children and their families to become more active and involved in outdoor activities in parks and open spaces across the city.

This project is run by Belfast City Council in partnership with Ulster Wildlife, aiming to increase children’s interaction with nature at their local park. ParkLife is open to children aged between seven and twelve. Children under seven are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

If you are interested in registering for our Saturday Clubs at Botanic Gardens, contact parklife@belfastcity.gov.uk for a registration form or contact the Outdoor Recreation and Education Officer on 028 9032 0202 ext. 3199.

ParkLife education events usually run on one Saturday every month.

Map of Botanic Gardens