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The ravine that we are familiar with today was opened in 1889, by Charles McKimm, the first superintendent of the gardens and was built with a team of gardeners. Since then, the Tropical Ravine has been through a number of transformations throughout the years. It was originally separate buildings which included an orchid house, propagation house and a fernery. This is why there is still such a dedication to ferns in the Temperate Zone of the ravine. It was built on a natural glen with a stream running through it and during the latest restoration (2014 to 2018) the construction team found a well that was once used for irrigation. During the restoration the original roof structure and railings were retained, and the original Scrabo stone was sourced and many of a larger plants stayed in situ during the transformation.
The collection of plants that is grown in the Tropical Ravine is based on a 1904 plant list. Some of the plants inside, for example the cycads, are over 200 years old and endangered in their native habitat. The tropical ravine is where the giant waterlily, Victoria Amazonica, was grown in Ireland for the first time in 1852 and is still planted each year. The banana stumpery has been there from the early 1900s and the bananas were used to feed patients in Musgrave Hospital during the First World War.
Construction began on the Palm House in 1839. It was designed by Charles Lanyon and Richard Turner was responsible for the wrought iron construction. Lanyon was a leading architect in Belfast and designed other significant buildings, such as the Lanyon building at Queen's University and Custom House.
The building was finished in 1852, by Young of Edinburgh who constructed the large dome of the Palm House. Richard Turner later constructed the Great palm House at Kew Gardens in 1844.
The Palm House is one of the oldest examples of curvilinear iron and glass construction and signifies the scientific and architectural achievements of Victorian Belfast. It is sectioned into three areas, the large centre dome and two wings. The right wing hosts an array of tropical plants. The left wing is for seasonal displays of temperate plants. The dome was designed to hold large palms which we still have a collection of today.
It is free to visit the Tropical Ravine and the Palm House.
| Venue | Times |
|---|---|
| Tropical Ravine |
Open 10am to 5pm from Monday to Sunday |
| Palm House |
Open 10am to 4.30pm from Monday to Sunday |
| Botanic Gardens | Park opening hours |
Opening hours might change on public and bank holidays. Check our holiday opening hours
You can take Metro bus no. 8 and get off at Queen's University. You can also take Metro bus no.7 and get off at College Park.
You can enter Botanic Gardens at Botanic Avenue, Stranmillis Embankment and University Road. The Tropical Ravine is nearest to the University Road entrance.
There are no parking spaces in Botanic Gardens. Your coach can drop off and pick up people on Stranmillis Road.
There are street parking restrictions beside Botanic Gardens. We will not accept responsibility for any parking tickets given to groups. If your group has mobility requirements, please tell us when booking a guided tour.
The Tropical Ravine and Palm House are in Botanic Gardens. Botanic Gardens has tropical plants, giant bird feeders, a rose garden, an alpine garden, mature trees, flower beds and sculptures. There are several walking routes in Botanic Gardens.
Breastfeeding is welcome in the Tropical Ravine.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the Tropical Ravine.
There is limited access to the ground floor. You can arrange access when booking a tour and for certain activities in the Tropical Ravine Programme.
To find information on tours and activities, go to Events and education at the Tropical Ravine.
The Tropical Ravine is accessible to wheelchair-users. There is lift access to the exhibition on the ravine walkway. Some doors are not automatic.
There is an accessible toilet in the building.
The Tropical Ravine has an induction loop system. Before your visit, email tropicalravine@belfastcity.gov.uk for more information.
We have videos about the Tropical Ravine in three languages. You can watch the video you need on a mobile device when visiting the Tropical Ravine. These links open in a new window, on YouTube.
Guided tours are not available. For more information on guided tours, email tropicalravine@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council is the Data Controller under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for the personal data it gathers to sending regular email newsletters from the Tropical Ravine.
The council accepts that you are providing your personal data on the basis of consent and are positively agreeing for the council to hold and further use your personal data.
The personal data may be shared internally within the council with staff who are involved in providing this service and where necessary, between internal departments with the purpose of supporting an effective delivery of service.
Your personal data will not be shared or disclosed to any other organisation without your consent, unless the law permits or places an obligation on the council to do so.
The personal data is held and stored by the council in a safe and secure manner and in compliance with Data Protection legislation and in line with the council’s Records Retention and Disposal Schedule.
If you have any queries about the processing of your personal data or want to withdraw your consent to the processing of it, call the Markets team on 028 9043 5704.
To contact the council’s Data Protection Officer, you should write to:
Belfast City Council
City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS
Or email records@belfastcity.gov.uk
Read our privacy policy for further information.
For more information and advice, get in touch.
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