Botanic Gardens

We would have liked to spend a lot more time here, but very much enjoyed our quick visit. There is a very well preserved 19th century palm house. We also walked through the Tropical Ravine house. It was full of interest, free to enter and certainly warmed us up on a chilly November day in Belfast.

Fantastic scenery. Went with my husband mainly so we could see the tropical plant house! We are on our honeymoon from Scotland and this has been one of our highlights. The banana banana plants were producing fruit and this was an amazing sight to see. The rare purple banana plant was flowering with purple bananas. This is a very rare occurrence so I'd definitely recommend you go as soon as possible if you're reading this, so you can witness the fruits. Unfortunately I cannot upload my photos of it from my camera as I don't have my laptop with me here in northern Ireland, like I say we are on our honeymoon from Scotland. I'm so glad we visited the botanical gardens in Belfast, well worth a visit! Cannot believe this experience was entirely free and so enjoyable. We followed up this beautiful experience with a visit to the adjacent Ulster museuma MUST for any tourist visiting Belfast. The staff within the botanical gardens are very knowledgeable and we were very impressed by their welcome and friendliness. Thank you! Leanne and Andrew Brooks. 07.09.2023

These gardens are a green oasis in the city. Located next to the University and a 20 minute walk from the city centre, or else easily accessible as a stop on the touristy Red Bus Tour (recommended and reviewed separately).

Highlights are the Palm House, the Tropical Ravine and the rose garden. I took sooo many photos inside the 2 huge green houses, then we lucked out as the rose garden was still blooming in early July too.

When we visited there was a ferris wheel and a drink stand selling frozen slushies, very tasty and it was lovely to sit on the grassy hill and relax for a while in the sunshine.

Expect to spend upto 2 hours having a leisurely stroll around the gardens and exploring the 2 large greenhouses. Entrance is free.

Spent Tuesday afternoon on a tour of Botanic gardens with an extremely knowledgeable guide called Aidan. He gave an overview of the history of Botanic Gardens before describing the origins and background of many of the plants in the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine. There are some amazing plants in both areas and it was definitely worthwhile having such a well informed guide to provide information and answer any questions, The beds outside the Palm house were an array of colours, there is also a Ferris wheel on site so something for all the family to enjoy.

I would recommend a visit to the Gardens and if you decide on having a tour ask for Aidan.

The garden are lovely in the summer when all the flowers are in bloom. We visited in October when they were changing the flower beds. However it was interesting walking around the Palm House and other indoor tropical plants sections.

We noticed the botanical gardens when we were going round on the hop on and off tour bus so decided to get off and have a look.
We were glad we did and easily forgot that we were in the city centre when we wandered round here. Everywhere was clean and litter free, the flower beds were well kept with spring flowers daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips etc. There was a very pretty camelia and lots of different types of trees. I should imagine that it is even prettier there in the summer months when the roses are out in bloom.
I would have liked to have gone in the palm house, but it was closed when we were there, but we did get to go in the tropical ravine which was quite interesting.
I would certainly go back there again if I visited the city.

We had previously enjoyed visiting Botanic Gardens and its Palm House and Tropical Ravine. However this time we learnt so much more about the history of the buildings and all the plants, when we attended the guided tour of the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine. Thanks to our excellent volunteer tour guide Aidan, who was assisted by the
botanic gardens staff who care for the amazing plants.

We spent about an hour walking round the botanic gardens. We went through the restored ravine but were disappointed that it was not possible to go through it on the ground level and only from above. This limited the experience. The palm house was lovely too and a few more plant labels would have been good as a botanic garden is designed to instruct as well as be there for pleasure. Well done to the City Council and for investing in keeping this Percival space looking so good over all. So many councils have given up with their public gardens and it was great to see so many people enjoying the gardens.

Belfast Botanic Gardens provides a beautiful green space in a nice part of the city. If you're a lover of (or just interested in) tropical plants and especially succulents, the Palm House is a must-see, but the rest of the gardens are lovely, too, very well-maintained and clean. The tropical ravine (covered in a separate review) is also here, as is the Ulster Museum, with the lovely buildings of Queens University just around the corner.

The rose garden had many flowers in bloom, nice to have the varieties labelled. Lovely that so many were scented roses. Enjoyed all the plants in the palm house; they were well displayed. Some of the rest of the gardens look a little shabby and unloved but overall a very enjoyable visit.