University of Bristol Botanic Garden

About University of Bristol Botanic Garden

The garden began in 1882, when University College Bristol gave its botany lecturer, Adolf Leipner, a small grant to build a botanic garden near Royal Fort House in Clifton. It later moved to Tyndall Avenue and, in 1959, to Bracken Hill, where it stayed for 46 years.

In 2005 the collections moved to The Holmes in Stoke Bishop, a house built in 1879 in the Arts and Crafts style. The new garden was designed around themed collections and was the first university botanic garden created in the UK for nearly forty years.

What to see

• Plant evolution: the Evolution Dell, with ginkgo, cycads, tree ferns, monkey puzzles and a Wollemi pine.
• Mediterranean climates: plants from the world's Mediterranean climate regions.
• Useful plants: including Chinese and Western herb gardens.
• Rare natives: rare plants of the Bristol area.
• Glasshouses: Amazon water lily, orchids, cacti and sacred lotus (the tropical pool room is currently closed).
• The Guangzhou Garden: rebuilt and reopened in 2024.

Planning your visit

The garden is at Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop. On-site parking is limited, with three accessible spaces. Pay by card at the Welcome Lodge, as cash is not accepted. Most areas and glasshouses have level access, there are accessible toilets, and a push wheelchair can be borrowed free. Children under 16 must be with an adult. Audio tours are available, and curator's tours can be booked online.