Cool Gardens: An excellent place for plant lovers to visit in the city
Only 12 miles from home, it’s a shame that I hadn’t visited the Durham University Botanic Garden before, but you often overlook gems under your nose.
The 10-hectare Botanic Garden is set in mature woodlands on the southern outskirts of the city. Despite belonging to the university, it’s open to the public year-round. The grounds are used for teaching and research for both students and visiting schoolchildren.
The visitor centre and coffee shop are a hive of activity, and we had a light lunch here before setting off – very reasonably priced. It’s very popular – get there early for a good choice! For another wonderful garden, read my review on Pike Place Urban Market in Seattle.
History and ethics of Durham University Botanic Garden
The first Durham Botanic Garden was founded in 1925 as an experimental garden on the grounds of the science laboratories. As the science department expanded in 1970, the garden moved to its present site. It now attracts more than 80,000 visitors a year.
Durham University Botanic Garden is a working garden, so many of the plants have been chosen for their scientific interests. It’s a treasure trove of rare plants from the North East. Students from the Department of Earth Sciences created a Carboniferous Garden telling the story of coal in County Durham.
Pesticides are not used. A flock of rare-breed sheep graze the arboretum and wildflower meadows. Watch out for native plants such as cornfield annuals and a magnesian limestone outcrop. Watch out for birds, bats and during the summer, visit the apiary and see the bees from a glass observation hive.
My favourite bits of the garden
A sucker for huge glasshouses, I loved this one, divided into three climatic zones – Arid, Tropical and Mediterranean. You can even press a button and make it rain in the Tropical House! My favourite plant had to be a huge succulent (possibly an Aloe, couldn’t see the label) that I realised I have at home.
The fruiting Monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant) just shows us what puny specimens we have in our living rooms. Don’t miss the massive Alocasia in the koi pond.
Outside, the Woodland Garden was in full glory, with bluebells, Trilliums, emerging Gunnera leaves, rhododendrons and the last of the hellebores stealing the spotlight. The Bamboo Grove is worth a visit, but not if you’re unsteady on your feet. It’s on a steep slope and the steps are uneven.
Information on Durham University Botanic Garden
The latest in a long line of awards is Northumbria in Bloom 2021 – Gold (Category Winner), Tourist and Visitor Attraction, and Country Estates.
- Address: Hollingside Lane, South Road, Durham DH1 3TN.
- Website: www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden.
- Opening hours: Every day apart from Christmas and New Year. Summer (March-October) 10am-4.30pm; winter (November-February) 10am-4pm.
- Entry fee: Adults £5, Concessions £4.50, under 16s, Carers*, Durham University Campus Card Holders free, RHS members free every Monday and Thursday.
Durham University Botanic Garden day trip updated 2025
