The Botanic Gardens are the green heart of South Belfast, a Victorian park founded in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society and opened as a public park in 1895 after the site was sold to Belfast Corporation. Two glasshouses make the visit special. The Palm House, designed by Charles Lanyon with wrought ironwork by Richard Turner, was built in stages from 1839 to 1852 and is one of the earliest curvilinear glass and iron conservatories in the world, with a central dome and two wings, one of tropical plants and one of seasonal temperate displays. The Tropical Ravine, completed in 1889 under the gardens’ first superintendent, Charles McKimm, is a sunken jungle seen from a walkway above, restored between 2014 and 2018 and home to cycads that are over two hundred years old. The giant waterlily Victoria amazonica was first grown in Ireland here in 1852, a detail the gardeners are proud of. Beyond the glasshouses are a rose garden, an alpine garden, mature trees, flower beds, sculptures and the lawns where Belfast comes out to sunbathe at the first sign of sun. Entry to the park, the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine is free, and the gardens won a Green Flag every year from 2011 to 2022, along with a Green Flag Heritage Award in 2022. The Ulster Museum stands in the grounds, so a morning here can combine plants with art and history in one easy visit.
How to visit
The gardens are in the Queen’s Quarter, a short walk from Queen’s University and the Botanic railway station, and Metro 8 serves Queen’s University while Metro 7 serves College Park. The parks open at 7.30am daily, and closing times change with the daylight: in 2026 the council lists 5pm from 8 to 21 November and 4.
30pm from 22 November to 31 December. The Tropical Ravine is open 10am to 4pm with last admission at 3.45pm, and the Palm House 10am to 3.30pm with last admission at 3.15pm, though hours can change on public and bank holidays.
What to expect
Guided tours of the Tropical Ravine run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm and on Saturdays at 11am, and are worth joining for the history and the stories of the plants. The Ravine is wheelchair accessible, with a lift to the exhibition on the walkway, an accessible toilet and an induction loop, although some doors are not automatic. Disposable barbecues are not allowed in the park, and events such as concerts and festivals can make the grounds busier, so check the council’s events page.
Making the most of it
Combine the glasshouses with a stroll round the rose garden and a visit to the Ulster Museum, which is free and sits in the grounds. Go on a wet day for the steamy warmth of the Ravine, and on a dry one for a picnic on the lawns. The hop-on hop-off bus stops at the gardens, so it fits naturally into a city sightseeing day. Allow one to two hours, longer if you add the museum.
Planning around it
The glasshouses close earlier than the park, so visit them first and stroll the grounds afterwards. Midday is usually the busiest time at the Tropical Ravine, so aim for opening time or the last hour if you prefer a quieter visit. The park suits all weather, since the glasshouses shelter you from rain and the lawns reward the sun, and the nearby Queen’s Quarter has plenty of cafés for lunch. If you are visiting with young children, the open lawns give them space to run between the indoor stops.
What to expect
The experience
A free visit to a Victorian park and two historic glasshouses, the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine, with gardens, lawns and sculptures.
Best time
A wet day for the warm glasshouses, or a dry afternoon for the lawns and rose garden.
How long
One to two hours, or half a day with the Ulster Museum.
Tips
Check the glasshouse last-admission times, join a Tropical Ravine tour if the timing fits, and use the winter closing times that follow the daylight.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Garden lovers and anyone wanting a free, relaxed morning in South Belfast.
- Families
- Plenty of space to run around, plus the museum next door for a rainy-day backup.
- Couples
- A gentle stroll through the glasshouses and rose garden is one of the city’s nicest free dates.
- Pair with
- The Ulster Museum in the same grounds, and the cafés and bars of the Queen’s Quarter.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Is the Belfast Botanic Gardens free?+
Yes, entry to the park, the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine is free.
What are the Tropical Ravine opening times?+
The Tropical Ravine is open 10am to 4pm daily with last admission at 3.45pm. The Palm House is open 10am to 3.30pm with last admission at 3.15pm.
When was the Palm House built?+
It was designed by Charles Lanyon with ironwork by Richard Turner, and construction ran from 1839 to 1852.
Are there guided tours of the Tropical Ravine?+
Yes, tours run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm and Saturdays at 11am. Contact the Ravine in advance for details and access arrangements.
How do I get to the Botanic Gardens?+
Take Metro 8 to Queen’s University or Metro 7 to College Park. The Botanic railway station is also close by.
