Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Glasgow Botanic Gardens is a botanical garden located in the West End of Glasgow, Scotland. It features several glasshouses, the most notable of which is the Kibble Palace. You may be our next door neighbours or a visitor to Glasgow or live on the other side of the world – it matters not – please enjoy your time in the Gardens, whether physically or digitally. We hope that this site will stimulate you to visit the Gardens and give you the information required.

It was in 1817 that Thomas Hopkirk, a distinguished Glasgow botanist, founded the Botanic Gardens with the support of a number of local dignitaries and the University of Glasgow. The Gardens were originally laid out on an 8 acre site at Sandyford at the western end of Sauchiehall Street (at that time, on the edge of the city). The Royal Botanical Institution of Glasgow owned and ran the Gardens and agreed to provide the University of Glasgow with teaching aids, including a supply of plants for medical and botanical classes. The Gardens are open 7 am to dusk all year, with the glasshouses open 10am – 6pm (4.15 winter) with free entry to all areas of the Gardens and Glasshouses.
Self Led Trails

We have a fine Heritage Trail through the Gardens with almost 30 points of interest taking you down to the Kelvin Walkway and the Gardens Arboretum. We have a Tree Trail that leads you through a waymarked trail of the Gardens and Arboretum. For younger children we have a Minibeasts, Birds and Trees of the Botanics which is a waymarked trail that is aimed at young families Brochures supporting the Trails can be found in the Kibble Palace.

Parking

To retain the peace of the Gardens, there is no parking within the Grounds but on-street parking is available in Queen Margaret Drive, immediately adjacent to the entrance. Limited parking for blue badge holders is available within the Gardens.

Glasgow Multi-Entry Multi-Directional Visitors Guide © Simon Newbound