Birmingham Botanical Gardens

disabledtraveler

13 Aug 2026

Disabled traveller takes you round botanical gardens birmingham

Date of visit: August 2026

I am a disabled person and a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around

I use or have experience of: mobility scooter, powerchair, walking aid, wheelchair

Overall Rating

Bad

This is a very enjoyable half day out for those who love gardening, and on a warm sunny day, you will really enjoy the visit. Disabled can see reasonably well all that the gardens can offer, but you will need a fit carer for some areas to help you get around. PHOTO ONE. We suggest you arrive close to opening time, as it gets crowded soon afterwards. PHOTO TWO. The welcome sign board points the way into car park to your left PHOTO THREE. Sadly, there are only a few disabled bays available which cannot be pre booked, but these are very handy is it’s only a short distance to get to the main entrance PHOTO FOUR simply walk ahead to the crossing PHOTO FIVE. Then take a rather steep downwards slope to gain access into the greenhouses ahead History of gardens During 1829 Birmingham sought a suitable area so as to develope the Birmingham botanical gardens, and they leased property at Holly Bank farm on Lord Calthorpes estate, and they took on the gardening designer John Claudius Ludon to fulfill their wishes. he and his wife Jane, were by then well known garden book writters, and to help them start the gardens, they sought the help of a local firm of John Jones and co, to build a suite of glass buildings. The husband and wife team planted each plant in the best area for them to grow and develope. Then the gardens were opened on 11th June 1932, with a payment of a shilling asked for entrance. By 1844, working class people could visit on Monday and Tuesdays for one penny each. In 1850 the wonderful fountain was created by Charles Edge, which he created by using an artificial Coade stone, having at that time 4 tiers, but as the stone eroded, the top tiers were removed so that only the first tier remains today. The wonderful lily house was added in 1852, with the intention of showing off the large leaved Amazonian water lily, Victoria Amozonica, Actually, in 1910 a photograph was taken of the curator Thomas Humphries daughter and a friend sitting on the leaves of the plant. During 1871, the designer of the Palm house F.B.Osbourne built this glass house to show the Palm trees and Tree fern collections. 2 years later he also built the Band stand and although built in 1873 it is still in use today During 1884 the lower range of glasshouses was constructed, which overlook the main lawn, offering beautiful views of the various trees that line the lawn. Following a storm in 1969, the palm house had to be reconstructed and the roof lowered. Years later, in 1983 the fountain was restored, and three years later, the new visitor entrance was started, and opened July 1987. Then the same year of 87 and following the dismantling of the old aviaries, a new garden shop was opened, which today houses a range of gifts. It is over 60 years since we personally last visited the botanical gardens, but would recommend you try to visit when you can. I was very impressed by the high standard of care and maintenance of much of the plants on display, and as a former gardening designer myself, I really appreciated the visit made. PHOTO 6. From the zebra crossing there is a rather short steep ramp to take you into the new entrance to enter the greenhouses, but I liked the display of plants on show along the rather narrow passageway into the main auditorium and the ticket kiosk. PHOTO 7. You may pay on arrival, we would suggest you pre book, as it seems that during the main spring into autumn time, it can be very busy here. Just pay for the disabled person though, as your carer can receive free entrance BUT IF YOU HOLD A BLUE BADGE, DO REMEMBER TO LOG YOUR CAR IN, AS THIS ALLOWS FREE PARKING FOR THE WHOLE OF YOUR VISIT. Stand over to the left of kiosk and you will see the small screen to record your car number. PHOTO 8. Once booked in, you may slip across to the right hand corner where you will find a nice clean well kept little shop. May we suggest taking your coffee break as soon as you can, it’s rather small with a limited seating capacity. A nice way to get to the cafe is by first of all going through the Palm tree conservatory entrance ahead to the left after booking in for your visit. WE HAVE GIVEN THIS AREA A SEPERATE REVIEW so please take a look after reading this first review. You will be best to take this route as soon as you can, by eleven o’clock visitors will be arriving in force, so go ahead towards the pool holding the large leaved water lilies, follow the disabled route to your right, and simply follow through each of the glasshouses one by one, enjoying the vast array of plants on show. Eventually you will come out onto the wide open LONDON TERRACE. Head to your LEFT along here, and admire the view over the lawn to your right. Walk on past the line of many inviting wooden benches, taking note of the delightful herbaceous plants that line the path. It’s level enough for your carer to push you along, but just keep an eye for occasional poorly laid slabs. Right ahead, you will see the cafe, which has a number of steps to climb, but if you follow the building to the right and go round it, you will at the far end, find the disabled ramp to your left, and although a little steep, you can enter the cafe through two wooden doors. If enough room inside, find a table, because it seems during busy periods you have to book a table at the pay counter. There is a delightful display of fancies for you to pick from, rather expensive though, but well prepared Huge cakes to delight you. Having rested and well fed, it’s time to see the rest of the gardens. PLEASE READ OUR NEXT REVIEW NOW showing you the lovely Palm lined route around the glass houses and then through a small portion of the gardens themselves. .