March 1 – October 31
Visitor Centre and Green House and Plant Sales - 10am – 5pm
Please call for winter opening.
The Gardens themselves, being public open-space are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
By rail: The nearest railway station is Shanklin. From here there is a special Rail link service (No: 16) that meets up with the train and goes straight through to St Lawrence stopping at the Botanic Garden.
By bus: No: 6 and No: 16 (Rail-link bus)
Being public open-space, it is free admission into the Gardens and the Visitor Centre, however a £1 admission charge is levied for the Green House payable at the entrance to the Exhibition.
Car / coach park fees apply
As it is public open space there is no need for an official entrance into or exit out of the Garden and as such there are numerous paths from the car park and coastal path, which will bring visitors onto the site.
As admission to the gardens is free, group rates do not apply to entrance to the Visitor Centre or grounds - however coach parking rates do apply. Garden tours may be organised in advance at a cost of £3 a head with a minimum of 12 visitors per tour.
Cars: 1 hour - £1.00 2 hours - £2.00 3 hours - £3.00
each additional hour - £ 1.00
Coaches: 0 – 4 hours - £5.00 4 – 24 hours - £8.00
(As at April 1st 2010)
Island resident permits are available from the visitor Centre.
Yes. Tours of the Garden are conducted either by the Curator or the Head Gardener. They must be booked in advance, ideally for 12 – 30 visitors and carry a charge of £3.50 a head.
Yes. The Visitor Centre has two function rooms that are available for hire. They are ideal for seminars, conferences, exhibitions and functions. Additional information is available by calling either the Head of Visitor Services or the Functions and Records Officer on (01983) 855397.
Yes we sell plants exclusively grown in the Garden nurseries. Initially propagated for the garden itself, surplus seeds, cuttings and plants can be bought from the Plant Sales area situated outside the Green House.
Old photographs exist and can be found in the Visitor Centre– some are on display in the Canna Room, others in the Library. There is also a book on the hospital, written by one of the doctors, which is available either for reference in the Harold Lanfear Library in the Visitor Centre, or for sale in the Gift Shop, price £6.99.
The Palm Court café offers a selection of hot and cold snacks with cakes and pastries. Daily specials are available throughout the busier seasons and all day breakfasts are available year round. Menus are available upon request.
Yes. The expertise of the garden staff headed by the experienced curator and head gardener are available to answer any plant enquiry. The Harold Lanfear Library is also available during the opening hours of the Visitor Centre and houses an extensive range of books to help with most queries. Lease note, however, that it is a reference library only and books may not be taken out without the prior consent of the curator.
Unfortunately we are unable to offer the facility to reserve any plants, in case for any reason or force of nature, we are unable to fulfil the order.
Although it has been done in the past, we currently do not allow the installation of any more memorial trees/ benches in the Garden. We do, however, have a memorial wall, where plaques can be put up. Further information is available through application to the Visitor Centre (01983 855397).
Access to Steephill Cove is via the coastal path, which can be reached by heading to the most southwestern part of the Garden.
By turning right outside the car park the road route will take approximately 25 minutes. The coastal path is prettier but very hilly and steep in places and will take about 30 minutes.
We currently do not hold a wedding licence, however the Visitor centre is available to hire for the wedding breakfast (maximum number = 50 sit-down) and evening reception (maximum number = 100). Further details are available upon application to the Visitor Centre (01983 855397).
Dogs are welcome around the Gardens on a lead. They are not, however permitted in any of the buildings unless aiding persons with disabilities.
The Gardens do not have the resources to be able to empty the bins as regularly as would be required, particularly in the busier months, which could potentially lead to an increase in rodent infestation. Visitors are therefore encouraged to take their litter home. This policy has been adopted following the principles of the National Trust and other national bodies.
