The University’s tranquil and beautiful Botanic Garden has become one of the most popular attractions for visitors to Durham. Set amongst beautiful woodlands on the southern outskirts of the city, the 18-acre garden is a great day out for all the family.

The garden offers a wealth of attractions that will appeal to visitors, young and old alike. Anyone interested in the world’s flora will be fascinated by the extensive plant collections in the garden, which feature specimens from across the globe, including plants from China, Japan, North and South America, South Africa and New Zealand. In the garden’s glasshouses are a collection of diverse and unusual tropical rainforest plants, desert plants and more familiar plants from around the Mediterranean.

Children of all ages will be captivated by the fun Science Trail, which takes approximately an hour, and helps young ones investigate and understand the specimens around the garden. For those brave enough, there are also some tropical bugs, scorpions and tarantulas! Our resident rare-breed sheep can also be seen grazing in late summer and early spring.

For those wishing to enjoy a peaceful stroll through a tranquil setting, there is a collection of sculptures and other art to enjoy during your relaxing amble around the garden. Certain areas of the garden that have been carefully created around a specific theme, such as the Woodland Garden, Alpine Garden and the Bamboo Grove.

Guided tours of the garden can be arranged and are conducted by our knowledgeable and friendly guides. The tour is suitable for a maximum of 25 people, taking approximately one hour it can be tailored specifically to suit the needs or interests of each group

Venue Enquiries

Hollingside Lane

Durham

DH1 3TN

Tel: (0)191 334 5521

Visit Durham University Botanic Garden website

Café/Shop

The Botanic Garden has a Coffee Shop and a Gift Shop whcih are open; November – February: Daily 10am to 4pm, March – October: Daily 10am to 5pm, Closed Christmas and New Year.

Accessibility

Disabled access to the garden is good, with the Visitor Centre, Prince Bishops Garden and the glasshouses all easily accessible by wheelchair. Access through the rest of the grounds is generally good, although due to the nature of the garden some paths can be quite steep. A wheelchair and motorized scooter are available for use by visitors and can be reserved ahead of your visit, is offered free of charge.

Booking Information

No booking required

Directions

The Botanic Garden has two entrances.

There is an entrance from the Howlands farm 'park and ride', where there is ample free parking. We suggest you use this entrance, especially at busy times and also at the moment there is heavy construction traffic on the lane accessing the new reservoir development at Mountjoy.

There is also a smaller car park which can be accessed along the narrow Hollingside Lane off South Road, which passes through the grounds of Grey College.

By Car

From the A167 follow the signs to Durham, turn right (if you are heading North), or left (if you are heading South) off the dual carriageway (at the site of the old 'Cock of the North' pub, which is currently being developed as a new housing estate), towards the City centre. The Botanic Garden is about 1 mile down this road on the right hand side marked by a brown tourist sign. The first right turn is to park at the 'park and ride' entrance. If you go straight on at the lights and take the next right turn, this will take you down Hollingside Lane to park at our smaller car park.

From the A1(M), turn off at the Durham exit, keep left and follow the A690 for approx. 2 miles into Durham. Take the 3rd exit at the first roundabout, follow the road down the hill passing under the footbridge. At the bottom of the hill keep left and take the first exit off the roundabout, be sure to get into the middle lane of the road to go straight ahead at the traffic lights next to the Marriot/Royal County Hotel. Continue up the road, bearing right at the top of the hill at the traffic lights. Take care just beyond the lights as the road gets quite narrow. Keep going to the next traffic lights (New Inn pub on the left), go straight ahead up the hill and the Botanic Garden is on the left at the top of the hill, marked by a brown tourist sign. Please proceed carefully along the lane as it is narrow in parts and there are usually quite a number of pedestrians from the local colleges. Our car park is on the right once you pass the College buildings.

Alternatively, don't take the left turn at the top of the hill, but proceed to the traffic lights, turn left there and park at the 'park and ride' site where there is easy access and ample free parking.

By Bus

From the bus station take the United No 6 Bishop Auckland service. Buses leave approx. every 15mins.The Garden is a 5 minute walk from the bus stop outside Collingwood College, at the top of the hill. From the bus stop follow the lane up the hill and bear left, through Grey College. (Look out for one of the best views of the city and the Cathedral from Grey College.)
The Botanic Garden is further down the lane on the right; about 5 minutes walk from the main road.

By Train

From the Railway station the Botanic Garden is about half an hours walk, quite hilly at times. You may wish to take a TAXI or follow the path down over the footbridge to the top of North Road to the Bus Station and take a bus (see above) or walk (see below).

Walking

Durham is a nice city to wander round, and there are many ways to get to the Botanic Garden. A nice route from the Cathedral is to go either down the Bailey or via the river banks to Prebends Bridge, then up the hill and bear left, through the 'white gates' to the roundabout. Follow the road to the right, up the hill, and turn left at the top and follow the road through various university colleges. At the end turn left, then cross the road to take the path by the wall which will lead you through Grey College. (Look out for one of the best views of the city and the Cathedral from Grey College).

The Botanic Garden is further down the lane on the right; about 5 minutes walk from the main road.