A Shopper's Guide to the Botanical Gardens

Why You Should Visit

• For the Lush Surroundings: You'll find yourself immersed in approximately 15 acres of beautifully maintained gardens. The pathways lead to delightful surprises, offering a sense of tranquility. Expect a wide variety of plants from diverse biomes, cared for meticulously by the staff.
• Explore Diverse Sections: The location offers various sections, including a Japanese garden, tropical houses with giant palms and koi ponds, and arid houses showcasing cacti and succulents. It's like visiting multiple ecosystems in one location.
• A Perfect Blend of Indoor and Outdoor Spaces: The location offers both indoor and outdoor areas to explore. The glasshouses, with their unique plant collections, offer a contrasting experience to the outside areas.
• Accessibility Considered: The grounds are largely wheelchair accessible, with ramps. There are gentle slopes, and plenty of benches are available in both sun and shade, allowing visitors to rest and enjoy the surroundings.
• Family-Friendly Environment: The venue is ideal for children, offering a playground. The layout allows parents to watch their children while relaxing in the cafe.
• Convenient Amenities: You'll find good toilets on site.
• Delightful Shopping: The little shop offers a variety of gardening supplies, cards, pottery, and artwork.
• Relaxing Cafe Experience: The cafe offers delicious-looking cakes and a view of the hothouse door.
• Easy to Spend Time: Plan to spend 3-4 hours here to explore the entire location.
• Aesthetic Details: The gardens, including the plants and the cacti around the patio are lovely.
• Themed Events: The gardens hold events, such as Alice in Easter Land, which are well-organized and enjoyed by children and adults.
• Easy to Get To: The location is walkable from the town center.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Entry Fees and Parking: Be aware that entry for adults is £9, plus £3 per car.
• Potential for Overcrowding: If you visit on weekends or school holidays, expect higher foot traffic.
• Challenging Parking: The car park can get tight, particularly during school holidays and weekends. Consider carpooling or public transport. Don't forget to validate your parking before leaving to avoid a fine.
• Temperature Considerations in Hot Houses: The hot-houses can get very hot and humid, potentially reaching 30-35°C. If visiting during colder months, dress in layers that are easy to remove.
• Accessibility Caveats: While generally accessible, some doors might be tricky to open. Ensure someone is available to assist if necessary. Some manual wheelchair users might find some slopes a little steep.
• Past Maintenance Issues: Be aware that some areas might look a bit run-down or shabby. Some reviewers have noted issues with upkeep.
• Environmental Concerns: Some reviewers have noted issues like overflowing bins.
• The Cafe Experience: The cafe can be chaotic. Poorly managed ordering systems might affect the customer experience.
• Missing Attractions: Note that the peacocks are no longer present.
• Noise Concerns: During some events, such as the rave entertainment for the children, the amplified sound can be overwhelming.