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Visitor Information
Explore our facilities below:
Visitor Centre and Coffee Shop
The Visitor Centre serves hot and cold drinks and light snacks, with a sit-in or takeaway service. For those with food allergies, most food items in our café list ingredients and allergy information. Some bakery items do not have food allergy information, but please ask the café staff if you have any questions. Payment is by card only.
Café Menu Options
Botanic Garden - Sandwich Options
Botanic Garden - Hot Drink Options
Picnic facilities are available with several benches located close to the Visitor Centre, with further benches and seating throughout the gardens.
The seating area in the Visitor Centre also showcases the work of local artists and photographers, many of whom offer their work for sale. The artwork is changed on a monthly basis.
Gift shop
The gift shop in the Visitor Centre is full of unique and lovely items, many not found anywhere else in Durham. There are a great range of gifts for the keen gardener with seed boxes, string holders, watering cans and some easy size garden trugs and gloves for beginners. We also have a range of beautiful fine bone china mugs, teapots and textiles. There is a good selection of traditional, handmade greeting cards to suit any occasion. Watch out for the giant bugs and stretchy caterpillars, with many items under £10 in the kids’ corner.
Embrace Rewilding with Insect-Friendly Plants!
Spring is the perfect time to transform your garden borders into vibrant havens for pollinators. Visit the Botanic Gardens to discover a fantastic selection of insect-friendly rewilding plants that will beautify your garden and support local biodiversity.
These plants are used in the university's wildflower meadow schemes, providing essential habitats for wildlife and enhancing the natural beauty of urban spaces. By incorporating them into your garden, you can create a mini meadow that supports local ecosystems.
Why not also consider joining the No Mow May initiative! Let your lawn grow wild for the month of May to provide a vital food source for pollinators during a critical time of the year.
Restrooms
Lavatories are located in the Visitor Centre. As well as the ladies’ and gents’ toilets, there is a unisex accessible bathroom with a disabled toilet, hand basin and baby-changing table.
Other information
- The entire Garden is non-smoking
- Fire exits in buildings are clearly signposted
- First aiders are on site during most of the week. Please contact any member of staff if you require assistance
- The University’s Security Service can also be called in emergencies on +44 (0) 191 334 2222.
We welcome questions and feedback from visitors on all aspects of our service so that we can continue to improve. Please speak to a member of staff during your visit, telephone +44 (0) 191 334 5521/2887, visit our TripAdvisor profile or email botanic.garden@durham.ac.uk.