Entry to the University of Bristol’s Botanic Garden will be donation only on weekdays throughout 2026 – with no fixed entry price.
It is hoped the new initiative, which coincides with the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the University, will bring in more visitors than ever to the Garden which features unique plant collections and glasshouses with more than 4,500 different species of plants.
It builds on the Garden’s existing DAISY DAY (Donate As It Suits You) which has been running every Wednesday for the last three years.
Nick Wray, Curator of the Botanic Garden, said: “Nature is a place of endless fascination and sanctuary – everyone should be able to visit, learn, wonder, and relax in the world of plants here at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden. Weekday visitors will now be able to access the garden via a donation which will help support our ongoing mission, for example working to conserve the local rare flora of the Avon gorge.
“This is about opening the Botanic Garden to everyone – reflecting our philosophy that the garden is for every season, for every person. No matter the time of year or your connection to nature, there’s always something to discover here. The Botanic Garden is for the whole community.”
Visitors can explore everything from the tropical worlds of the glasshouses to the prehistoric Evolution Dell, each space with its own atmosphere and its own theme. Audio tours are also available.
Nick added: “This reflects the Botanic Garden’s commitment to accessibility, community engagement, and the idea that nature is a place for everyone. Plants connect people. Whether you come for the science, the beauty, or simply to be in nature, the Botanic Garden welcomes you.”
This summer, the garden will be extending opening hours on selected evenings where visitors can unwind after work with some time in nature. Look out for dates on the website and social media.
Please note that the new entry fee will include Bank Holidays but excludes Botanic Garden events. Standard ticketing will apply at weekends – £9 for adults (£9.90 with Gift Aid), children and students free.
Further information
The Botanic Garden is located at The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Bristol, BS9 1JG. The Botanic Garden has a strong evolutionary theme and cultivates over 5,000 plant species, forming four core collections that illustrate: plant evolution, plants from Mediterranean climates, useful plants (including Chinese and Western herb gardens) and rare and threatened native plants to the Bristol area.
Star attractions include an amazing dell demonstrating the evolution of land plants including ginkgo, cycads, tree ferns, monkey puzzles and the Wollemi Pine. Other delights include glasshouses, home to the giant Amazon water lily, tropical fruit and medicinal plants, orchids, cacti and a unique sacred lotus collection. A newly opened Guangzhou Garden, with extensive water features, which won a gold medal and the ‘best in show’ at the 2021 Chelsea Flower Show has been rebuilt at the Botanic Garden and was opened to visitors in 2024.
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