Durham University Botanic Garden
Hollingside Lane, Durham, County Durham, DH1 3TN
Durham University's 25-acre botanic garden in mature woodland on the southern edge of the city, with an arboretum, alpine garden, bamboo grove and glasshouses of tropical and desert plants.
Visit information checked 22 October 2026
Garden UK guide
Why visit Durham University Botanic Garden?
Durham University Botanic Garden is a friendly, wooded garden that packs plants from across the world into 25 acres on the edge of the city. It is the only botanic garden left in north-east England, so it is the best place in the region to see a wide range of labelled plants in one visit.
The outdoor collections are arranged by region, with plants from Chile, China and Japan, southern Africa and New Zealand, set among mature trees that survive from the nineteenth-century parkland that once stood here. There is an arboretum, an alpine garden and a bamboo grove. Inside the glasshouses you can see tropical rainforest plants, desert plants and Mediterranean species, along with tropical insects such as stick insects, scorpions, butterflies and tarantulas, which children usually love. Self-guided trails, including a science trail, a quiz trail and a nature trail for children, help you find your way round.
Gardeners will find it useful to see which plants from other parts of the world cope with a north-east England climate, and the alpine garden is good for ideas on small-scale rock planting. The garden has also been raising cuttings of black poplar, Britain's most endangered native tree, some of which were planted by the River Wear in 2026. Allow time for the glasshouses as well as the woodland walks.
What to see
- Glasshouses with tropical rainforest, desert and Mediterranean plants.
- Tropical insects including stick insects, butterflies and tarantulas.
- The arboretum and mature specimen trees from the old parkland.
- The alpine garden and bamboo grove.
- Plants from Chile, China, Japan, southern Africa and New Zealand.
- Self-guided science, quiz and nature trails.
Durham University Botanic Garden through the year
- spring
- Woodland plants and the alpine garden come into flower, and the arboretum trees leaf up.
- summer
- The regional collections are at their fullest, and shady woodland paths keep things cool.
- autumn
- The arboretum and woodland give good autumn colour.
- winter
- The glasshouses make a warm visit on a cold day; check winter opening on the university's pages.
The story behind the garden
Durham University founded its botanic garden in 1925 beside its science laboratories, where the Bill Bryson Library now stands. Pressure for building land led to a move in 1970 to the present site on Hollingside Lane behind Grey College, former parkland of Oswald House with specimen trees that were kept as part of the new garden.
In the 1970s the garden served the Botany Department and was not yet promoted to the public, but by the late 1980s it had 6,000 visitors a year. A visitor centre was opened in 1988 by Dame Margot Fonteyn, then Chancellor of the university. Since Newcastle's Moorbank garden closed in 2014, it has been the only botanic garden in the north-east, and it now welcomes over 80,000 visitors a year.
Plan your visit
- Best for
- Families with curious children, students of plants and anyone wanting a varied botanic garden near Durham city.
- Getting there
- The garden is on Hollingside Lane on the southern outskirts of Durham, behind Grey College and near Collingwood College.
- Before you go
- Paths run through woodland, and the glasshouses are a highlight in any weather. Check the university's official botanic garden pages for current opening times and tickets.
Questions about visiting Durham University Botanic Garden
How big is Durham University Botanic Garden?
The garden covers 25 acres of mature woodland on the southern outskirts of Durham. It includes an arboretum, alpine garden, bamboo grove and glasshouses, with self-guided trails.
Is Durham Botanic Garden good for children?
Yes. The glasshouses hold tropical insects such as stick insects, butterflies and tarantulas, and there are self-guided trails including a quiz trail and a nature trail aimed at children.
When did Durham University Botanic Garden open?
The garden was founded in 1925 on a different site in the city and moved to its current home on Hollingside Lane in 1970. The visitor centre opened in 1988.
What is in the glasshouses at Durham Botanic Garden?
The glasshouses show tropical rainforest plants, desert plants and Mediterranean species, as well as tropical insects. They make a good stop in poor weather, whatever the season.
Garden features
Location
Hollingside Lane, Durham, County Durham, DH1 3TN
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