An urban oasis that mixes Victorian heritage charm with oodles of natural beauty in the heart of Belfast.
Belfast’s Botanic Gardens has provided an oasis of calm in this buzzing city since 1828. Today, it’s a popular meeting spot for locals and visitors alike, and has won a Green Flag award every year since 2011 thanks to the exceptional upkeep of its formal gardens, Palm House and Tropical Ravine. Everyone from budding gardeners and nature lovers to amateur photographers will find something to savour here. Best of all, admission is free. Wander the tree-lined paths, relax on the lawns and let your love for this cherished public park bloom.
Botanic Gardens, Belfast
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The Botanic Gardens are located in Belfast’s elegant Queen’s Quarter, beside Queen’s University. You can enter the 28-acre gardens via Botanic Avenue, Stranmillis Embankment and University Road and explore at your own pace with a gentle stroll. Guided tours are also available on Tuesday and Thursdays at 2pm and on Saturdays at 11am.
Among the garden’s most iconic landmarks is the 19th-century Palm House. It was designed by legendary architect Charles Lanyon, who left his indelible mark on Belfast with buildings such as Belfast Castle and the Lanyon Building at Queen’s University. The historic structure is a marvel of engineering and is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear glasshouse. Begonias, geraniums and many more dazzling plants, both tropical and temperate, await inside, as well as birds of paradise.
Another must-see is the Tropical Ravine, which dates back to 1887 and has been beautifully restored in recent years. Brimming with tropical plants, interactive displays and digital exhibits, there’s much to uncover about the extensive plant collection and ongoing conservation work on site. The Tropical Ravine is closest to the University Road entrance, so if you’d like to visit it first, then this is the entrance to take. Guided tours of the Tropical Ravine are available on Tuesday and Thursdays at 2pm and on Saturdays at 11am.
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Food and drink around the Belfast Botanic GardensThe Coop Coffee Company is a great spot for grabbing a flat white or an iced coffee to accompany your walk around the gardens. At the Ulster Museum, which is located within the gardens, you’ll also find the Wynne & Pym café, which is a lovely place to sit and enjoy hot and cold dishes, as well as scones, treats and cakes.
Botanic Avenue and the surrounding area is filled with great places to eat from the homestyle dishes at Maggie May’s Botanic to Molly’s Yard, set within a converted Victorian stables. Try the traditional boxty at Holohan’s Pantry for a taste of age-old Irish flavours, then catch a show at The Belfast Empire, a bar, music hall and comedy club all rolled into one.
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Queen's University, Belfast
© Chris Hill Photographic
The gardens sit beside Queen’s University, whose historic campus is well worth exploring. Also within the Botanic Gardens is the free-to-enter Ulster Museum, home to an eclectic collection covering art, natural science and history. Highlights include Spanish Armada treasures and decorative pieces of Belleek pottery, a fine porcelain made in County Fermanagh.
As Belfast’s vibrant student district, the Queen’s Quarter is a hotbed of lively bars, cool coffee shops and well-priced eateries, and it’s an enjoyable place to walk around. Once you’ve explored, you can continue your Belfast adventure, enjoying everything from a cycle down the Lagan towpath to a hike up Cave Hill. Indulge in local flavours in the buzzy St George’s Market, visit the Titanic Belfast in the Titanic Quarter, or step back in time at the fascinating Crumlin Road Gaol.
Bliss out in the tranquil gardens, hit up some local food hotspots and experience everything this “Titanic Town” has to offer – start planning your Belfast adventure today.
