Botanic Garden Session Information

This session is self-led at the Durham University Botanic Gardens.

Self Led Tour of Garden - You are welcome to tour the garden, historic woodland, meadow and all outdoor areas.
Greenhouses - Feel free to explore the rainforest, dessert and mini beast habitats in our greenhouses. In Summer, do not forget to find the Giant Lily Pads!
Lunch - All self-led groups must complete a booking form to ensure availability, including for lunch. In case of bad weather, there is a poly-tunnel or greenhouses we can book for your group.

Self-led visits are free.
This is a seasonal and mostly outdoors visit, we would advise booking for Autumn Term 1, Summer Term 1 or Summer Term 2.
There are two entrances to the Botanic Gardens. Coaches will usually drop you off at the Howlands Park and Ride (DH1 3TQ) entrance (no.26 on map). From here it is just a short walk through the kiosk gates and up the hill to the Visitors Centre (no. 1 on map) where a member of the team will meet you.
On the day of your visit, we will make a note of the number of children present. This means that we get the exact numbers for the visit on the day.
We offer sensory bags, visual stories, larger print sheets, printing on coloured paper and wobbly cushions for our visits, if you feel that this is something that could help any child in your class then you can let us know before the day of your visit.
Please don’t forget any extra things you may need such as: sensible shoes, raincoats, sun cream, picnic blankets, water, lunch, camera, hearing aids and a sick bucket.

This session is not available as an outreach visit to school or as an online session.