Ventnor Botanic Garden in Isle of Wight

We could *easily* have spent a whole day here. Even in October there was so much to see, including red squirrels. There was an excellent art exhibition in one of the rooms. I don’t say this lightly; the BEST cup of tea on the island.

What a delight to see an abundance of red squirrels! The park itself was medium friendly to disabled people, plenty of places to rest but the access is occasionally difficult. Cafe was nice, you can sit outside on a terrace above the greenery. EV charging is an absolute rip off, don't waste your time plugging in. 72p/kWh, this is set by the venue. Voltshare app if you're insistent.

What a lovely botanical garden. One of the nicest I have seen and with many plants you just don’t see in the UK usually. The cafe is exceptionally good with a lovely terrace and some very healthy food choices you don’t often see - tasty and healthy food. Well done!

Nice peaceful place to visit with the dog. I thought it was well maintained and the lilies in the tropical house were amazing. Only place we went on our trip where we saw lots of red squirrels running around.

Excellent botanic gardens with a unique microclimate that sets them apart. Different environments from around the world have been faithfully recreated, including an immersive Australian rainforest, hydrangea walk, striking Japanese garden and a unique tropical rainforest greenhouse. A bonus is that red squirrels are thriving in the gardens, and we saw several in the trees during our visit - an unforgettable moment. We also saw a colourful Wall Lizard, not typically seen in the UK. Paths around the site are well surfaced, making for an easy walk, and everything is well maintained and presented. Facilities include ample on-site parking (be sure to register your vehicle on arrival), a café, and shop with a wide range of plants for sale. At the time of my visit, tickets seemed good value at £11.50; the gardens easily exceeded my expectations.

Ventnor Botanical Gardens is the MOST EXQUISITE place you could possibly visit in one's lifetime. It is staggering beautiful; the way you can visit the botanical life from one part of the world to another is completely awesome. My daughter and I couldn't get enough. It is the most spiritually relaxing place we've ever been, so good for one's soul. Adjectives fail me. AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!!!

Lovely little garden - the map is very useful to highlight the accessible route (we had our little baby in his pram). We visited late on a Sunday, so as the garden wasn't as busy then, felt a little isolated, and just missed out on five stars from me as I feel the internal garden itself plus exit signs could be a little better signposted - lots of greenery across the paths! But a great value visit especially with the gardeners world 2for1 discount

As advertised really, lots of plants from round the world. Probably did about 2 miles around it. Cafe was reasonably priced and had a good selection. Dog has to be on a lead in the gardens and can go in the cafe too

Very well set out , way better than many "Big Name" Gardens . Prepare for a lot of surprises , take your time , take a picnic make a full day of it .

Good value visit for how long you are likely to spend here! Lovely variety of plants and flowers and an ideal spot for some photography, keen eyes will spot many different insects thriving in the plant life! Such a relaxing, sensory experience with the nearby sea breeze, rustling of leaves, buzzing of bumblebees and bright colours everywhere around you. It was great to just disconnect and get lost in the natural environment for a couple hours.

Lovely gardens, it was fun to walk around and to try and find everything 🥰

Could be a lovely place. Service was poor the cafe wasn't very clean. The gardens were very pretty but lack of signs. Best part was the shops.

Disappointed with the visit. The best part of it was the gift shop. Lack of signage. No information. Useless service in the coffee shop. Terrible contamination of food. Don't eat there if you have allergies. Poor hygiene. No hand washing. Witnessed one man plating a ham ploughman's in the bread basket. Shame could be a nice place.

It’s basically a park that you pay to get into. Yet people come in via the back beach walk gate and not pay. It’s not maintained. So nature takes its course. No flower gardens here! It was a nice chilled out day to pass the time before we have to get the ferry home. We brought our own picnic Toilets was very clean Free parking when you pay for entry. Type in your car registration.

We really enjoyed walking round the gardens with a wide variety of subtropical plants which you don't normally see outside in England. Food in the cafe was nice too.

Ventnor Botanic Gardens was our chosen wedding venue for the ceremony and reception. It was the most beautiful setting and the food, service and attention to detail made our day the very best we could have possibly imagined. What a gorgeous place!

We had a very nice morning in the gardens, very peaceful and dog friendly.

We visited with a disabled child, lift was out of order. Found the paths very difficult to manage with the special buggy. Couldn’t access the view point because of this and never found the beach. Paid £28 for a family ticket to sit at the park for an hour! Staff not friendly or helpful. Didn’t inform us of the inaccessible pathways before we paid even thou I said I have a disable child! And didn’t point us in any right directions. Other than that the gardens looked lovely and well kept. Wouldn’t recommend for disabled visitors.

Well worth a visit on a hot day plenty of shady spots cafe was nice if you like a garden a good half day

Well worth a visit and walk via the Costal Path access to Ventnor beach. If you are in luck as we were, you might even see a Red squirrel ! The Mediterranean and palm gardens were the highlights with this being the Sunniest garden in England ! Also visit the garden shop and cafe !

Gardens are fabulous. 7 pounds 50 pence for small bacon sandwich, not so fabulous!

Nice enough gardens but it's full of dogs, even in the children's playground. It seems animals are more welcome than little people, so I'd suggest elsewhere for families. We couldn't use the picnic mat because of this. The cafe charged over £20 for two baguettes which were nice enough but no amount of salad or crisps can justify that price. Plus, selection was limited and service painfully slow. Definitely not family friendly, but for couples etc it's a nice garden if you like the sound of barking.

Absolutely stunning garden with its own unique micro climate. Not too large and easily accessible. Plenty benches dotted around. Ample parking. Well worth a visit.

Nice gardens in a beautiful location on the cliffs. Nothing incredibly impressive, but it’s well kept and you can access the coastal path at a nice section.

Lovely gardens, peaceful to walk around. Entrance fee was quite expensive.

Lovely gardens but shocking parking company involved. Paid entrance, provided vehicle registration for all day parking. Stayed a couple of hours and got a parking penalty of £60 on return home.

Even as a non-Gardner I really enjoyed this. An oasis of exotic plants in a sunny microclimate, makes you feel like you are on the other side of the world. The little green lizards everywhere, add to the exotic experience. I would recommend getting a free tour as the guide was extremely knowledgeable and really brought the history and variety of plants to life. Nice cafe as well.

Lovely garden and very nice on a sunny day. Have wheelchair accessible route, but I would bring someone with you as even the wheelchair route can be quite steep! Helpful and friendly staff. Didn't see any red squirrels though

We enjoyed walking around the gardens, it's a very relaxing place to be. Mostly trees and not too many flowers; and what flowers there are are not in superb condition. Also good to be able to wander down to Steephill Cove which is very nice.

We were hugely disappointed with this garden, we felt it was poorly signed, lacked investment and was poorly kept. For £13.50 each you do expect more than this - needs new plantings and more care. Not a gardener in sight during our visit.

This is an amazing botanic garden with a wealth of different plants, helpfully zoned according to origin. It is well-laid out with a good range of paths to ensure every inch can be covered. It is also a delight to be able to pick up the coast path and venture down to the beach in the bay - a couple of potential cafes to stop off at too - but beware the steep steps! The cafe has lovely food and great service with the choice of being able to sit under the trees on the balcony. It wasn't busy on the day of visit - the weather forecast had been grim but the micro-climate meant blue skies and sunshine - and this could have deterred visitors.

Biggest disappointment. A botanical garden is a place for keeping, breeding, and preserving species. But in this botanical garden there is no basic thing - plant care. Any city park looks more well-groomed and the plants are healthier than here. It’s just painful to look at sick, dry, corroded plants. Not only that, they also sell them! A shame! And this despite the fact that the entrance is quite expensive. And the greenhouse is generally in disrepair. Be careful.

Honestly didn't know what to expect but it wasn't great at all. No toilets except in the carpark and cafe so when you've walked ages away it's a nightmare. Claims to be dog friendly but no poo bins on any of the paths or water bowls anywhere except one full of dirty water outside the cafe. Staff were quite miserable in both the shop and cafe. All in all just an expensive walk around some nice trees and trekking back and forward to the toilets/bins. definitely not dog friendly, especially in the summer would be awful for them.

Stunning gardens a joy to walk through all the areas. Lots of seating dotted around for rest and to enjoy the scenery. A lively little cafe, shop and plant stall (of which I purchased the most gorgeous vanilla nemesis) 🍦. I didn't go into the hot house but apparently it wasn't too good sadly 😞. I even saw a lizard enjoying the sun 🦎. Fabulous 😍

What a delightful place, gardens well kept and the variety of plants is amazing. We spent 4 hours there. Plenty of car parking, friendly staff and amazing cake

We went for brunch and it was excellent, the mains were delicious with multiple vegan options available. We also had a cake after where again there was so much choice and the blueberry Bakewell was maybe the best Bakewell slice I’ve ever had. The gardens are lovely and the shops were lovely to wander round with the best of the island’s produce.

Enjoyable visit to this lovely botanic garden. Magnificent Echium and Puya. A relaxing environment in which to wander for a couple of hours.

Awesome looking eBay and wiki sites

Today we visited the gardens , dog friendly, we were in motorhome, plenty of parking. Absolutely beautiful grounds lots to look round. Staff very friendly and helpful. Would love to come back when more flowers would be out. And plants or seeds to buy .

I don't often review things but in this instance I felt compelled to do so. Not many tourist destinations "get it right" in every respect but this was one of those very rare places that did, so much so that I revisited the gardens again two days later. Upon entering the car park you are instantly cocooned in this tree and wall lined area giving you a glimpse of what's to come. Parking is free when paying your entry charge by giving your car registration. You are greeted by a colonial style building providing a coffee shop, seed/plant store and gift shop. The pots and planting in this area are pleasant and you feel you could be in the south of France. The coffee shop has generous seating indoors and outdoors providing a verandah and a sizable deck which overlooks the garden themselves and further on the ocean. The gentle instrumental music wafts around you, never harsh or overbearing creating the most tranquil ambience in addition to the lovely birdsong. The coffee and homemade cakes are to a high standard and reasonably priced. The gardens themselves are just a delight, well maintained without being overly manicured which can make a garden seem fake. They are natural and sprawling offering diverse and impressive specimens of flowers, shrubs and trees. The five degree temperature difference inside the gardens also enhanced our experience. I've visited lots of gardens over the years but none have made me feel the way I did at Ventnor. A truly lovely place to spend an afternoon.

I recently visited Ventnor Botanic Gardens on the Isle of Wight, and unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. Despite its reputation, I found the collection to be lacking, with a significant emphasis on trees rather than the diverse array of flowers I had anticipated. Upon arrival, I was eager to explore the renowned botanical wonders, only to find that the variety of flora was limited. While the trees were impressive, the overall lack of diversity in plant species left me feeling underwhelmed. Although the setting was tranquil and the landscape well-maintained, the sparse collection of plants detracted from the overall experience.

It truly is a global dream for all manner of plant friends. Gift shop with branded goods and small nursery with everything from herbs to exotics and seeds. Easily accessible pathways to the majority of the gardens makes it easy underfoot. We went at the beginning of April and sadly due to the plants confusion over climate....the usual springing into life wasn't occurring......no doubt come June their display will be spectacular! Take away suggestion is to devote an entire day to truly appreciate everything on show.

Rather an odd place, some of the plants and surroundings are magnificent and others plants and areas are dreadful! They seem to be trying to achieve a "natural look" but it should not mean just leaving plants without care. We noticed that in some areas the plants are being strangled with bindweed which is sad to see and is going to be very destructive to many plants. Also some very big safety issues with paths close to the hot house blocked by branches and one path with steps going up a fairly steep hill where the handrail is totally hidden by overgrown plants. In the valley at the bottom there is a large pit about 10' deep where the only safety barrier is made from wooden planks some of which have rotted in the ground and are only held together with the rope at the top of each plank, only a matter of time before someone has an accident there and drops into the rocky pit! The hot house is interesting, again planting running wild and escaping from the inside to outdoors. Interesting to talk to a structural engineer who was visiting and reckoned the plants would wreck the structural integrity of the building within 2-3 years. An interesting visit, sometimes for the wrong reasons, if you go take care and be careful on the overgrown sections, especially the paths and steps. A machete and a hard hat might be useful! And if anyone working there reads this... Please get some of your safety issues sorted, if anyone falls down that very poorly protected hole or hurts themselves on your overgrown paths and steps then the damage to your reputation and bank balance could be big indeed

A nice enough place to mooch around, but we were given 3 different maps (normal, secret spots and trees...??) and despite this we never really knew where we were or how to get to places. For example the hops field and coastal path are on the map, but we couldn't find access to them... Then we ended up in a type of veranda where we could see the shop selling paintings but couldn't access it from there. Not really sure why that path existed... Did see turtles and lizards though which is nice.

Reasonably priced for 2 adults and one child £28. This included the cost to park. However, paid online and no receipt via email received. Luckily we had screenshot the reference number or we'd have no way to prove it. Upon arrival it states admittance inside. No clear directions once inside, queued at the gift shop to be redirected to the cafe, queue again to then enter. No map was given. Although an interesting walk around, but no clear guidance on which way to go, so you not only worry you will miss parts, but I found it worse than IKEA trying find the exit. There is minimal information on the plants growing and I thought this was a real shame, as I know there is many rare tree and flowers growing. I would still recommend though, its interesting to visit and we enjoyed the walk around.

What an amazing place and tranquil atmosphere. A definite‘must see’ place to visit. The food and service is top drawer.

A lovely place even in the depths of British Winter, Not far from the town of Ventnor, About a 20 mins walk, I know cos I walked into town from the gardens. The car park is not free, It cost me £3 (Jan 2024 prices) and to get in £10:50. The Gardens have so much variety in trees,shrubs, and flowers, With a guide map as well to take you all around the site, There is even a Tropical Garden, With a aray of very different species. Some of the slopes were steep but there is a flat path that allows wheelchair users to use. I had a cup of tea plus a scone and cream/butter at the on site Cafe/Restaurant which was fantastic. There is also a gift shop that allows to to buy plants and other items connected with the Gardens. All of the staff I met were so friendly.

Great place, i live the gardes…we are members and we stay every winter 2 month in St Lawrence…but…a great shame that its not possible to pay cash…i have not always my card with me and we still have to try to pay cash and help that cask stays alive. Normally i came 3-4 times a week the last 3 winter…i come more often back when cash is possible 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Amazing spot on IOW. Not clear why the whole island is not here! Delicious coffee, yummy cakes next to a fire overlooking a garden!

Beautiful collection of trees and plants. The tropical house is surprisingly 3D in height and depth. And the entire grounds are large enough to keep you busy for several hours. Worth a visit if the weather is good enough.

Not really my thing but the people I visited with really wanted to go. I can imagine that in its day it would have been amazing. Sadly, I suspect that since the new owner has taken over, the money and attention is not being spent on the place.

Well worth a visit, beautiful gardens for all ages to enjoy. They are dog friendly too! There are two shops and an excellent cafe. They also sell beer made from the hops grown in the gardens.

One of my favourite places to visit and have a leisurely stroll around the gardens, sit an read a book and keep an eye out for the little lizards that scurry about basking in the sun, followed by a coffee and cake in the cafe!

I felt it was overhyped and not particularly accessible for disabled persons.

So sad, these gardens are now so run down. They seriously need more experienced gardeners.

Parking conditions are ridiculous, ask to pay 5 pounds but machines not working. Then we need to buy 10 pounds worth of items from the shop which has nothing good to offer for 10 pounds.

Nice gardens, but severaly lacking general maintenance. More gardeners needed! Also won't take cash, ridiculous!

Only visit if you support tearing foxes (or anything else they come across)to pieces with hounds the owner of this business is heavily involved with the hunt on the Island😡

An amazing botanical garden, it requires some time to see everything and on good weather it's a wonder. Ticket allows returning for free within 7 days. Ticket also includes parking fee. Would go back anytime, it offers a great variety of plants and if lucky one can catch a glimpse of the red squirrels.

Nice place to walk around - so many interesting plants to look at. Particularly liked the Japanese terrace. Parking is free for visitors. Friendly staff.

Prachtige tuin doet beetje tropisch aan hier en daar. Planten van verschillende continenten. Fijn terras om iets te gebruiken. Winkel met aardige spullen.

Beautiful place...felt like being in the Amazon at times..Highly recommended 👌 👍

Fascinating garden with geographically featured areas and diverse planting. Great for a stroll. Cafe is small and often very busy.

The main reason for one star is disabled access. I read a review from a disabled lady who said access was fantastic. I can only say maybe that is true if you have some form of electric wheelchair or buggy. We had a manual wheelchair and it was a nightmare. The slope down to where you pay is steep when using a manual chair and you must go back up hill out that way too. The disabled access consisted on dirt path ways with loose bricks and that is practically impossible to push against in a manual chair. The incline uphill to the hot houses is very steep indeed when pushing a manual chair. The hot house with the water lillies in was literally a death trap in a manual chair. Obviously disabled people dont want to look at water lillies. Coupled with a very stressful experience in the restaurant where five members of staff served but only one could make any decisions and she was dealing with a gentleman who had received a parking fine even though he had been in the cafe. We stayed about an hour and considering there was no concession for our pensioner disabled friend we were bitterly disappointed - and it was a birthday too!!

The gardens are magical. Well worth the cost. Sadly though the years have taken their toll. No lift or easy disabled access other than the slope of the paths. Which on a return journey from the bottom can be very tiresome. The staff were superb. Our visit was July 19th, weather was beautiful and gardens reflected this.

Pleasant gardens to walk round with some lovely flowers with different scents. Our dog enjoyed it too. It could probably be a little better maintained, and we tried to order food in the cafe and were told an hour waiting time so we declined but the menus did look very good and inventive.

Cafe is nice but I was disappointed in the gardens the quality and selection of plants- quite underwhelming for the price - perhaps the wrong time of year to visit

Beautiful unique peaceful garden. Huge variety of exotic plants, lovely cafe with a view and a big shop.

Very pretty place. Took many pictures.

The location is amazing. The history of how the place came to exist is very interesting. However the weeds were a bit overgrown in some parts and some bits looked not very well looked after. The Japanese garden and surroundings seem new and better looked after. The greenhouse seems to need a lot of attention, unfortunately the pond didn't seem to have been cleaned properly and same with the glass which blocks a lot of the light (lateral windows). Another thing to mention: many plants don't display a name or tag which makes it hard to identify the plant. Many lizards running around which is pretty cool! Overall the price is worth the visit, if more people visit I think the money could go to improve it :)

What a wonderful place to visit. The variety of plants is just off the scale, absolutely beautiful. Spent most of the day there, just stunning.

This place is vast and the vegetation is good to see but without a tour guide it can be quite boring if you are not keen on walking. If you like walking through the woods then you can stay for several hours. There are plane grass areas where you could potentially have a picnic if it is permitted. There is a small children's playground as well which our 7 year old enjoyed. I think if you book to have a party or wedding there it will be awesome for the guests!

A great place for a peaceful walk around some beautiful plants. This place offers a wild variety of plants from around the world. The tropical house is small but worth popping in. The staff were brilliant and so nice.

I expected a plan and clear route to visit this garden. A view on the sea would be nice as well. It's a beautiful garden.

Had a lovely couple of hours wandering around here. There's plenty of parking if you arrive early - but don't forget to put your registration in at the iPads when you buy tickets to get free parking. There are a couple of EV chargers available in the car park too. The gardens are lovely but there's not much for kids. Cafe looked nice and there are a couple of shops too.

Really enjoyable visit to the gardens. I think there is an opportunity to be 'smarter' with places like this, putting QR codes to plants you like and perhaps linking it to the shop at the end. I think selling more rare plants as well rather than those you could get in a garden centre so there is more of a draw to come along. Maybe even cuttings from some of the plants? Anyway Gardens were very nice and a good way to spend a hour or two.

Love walking round the gardens, amazing plants and wildlife, always see the lizards in the arid gardens. Just such a lovely place to sit and chill and enjoy the scenery and the amazing plants. I’m not keen on the menu in the cafe, not much for children, there was no cake that I liked the look of today, but the coffee is good and that’s not really what I went there for.

Beautiful gardens, clean toilets, and a lovely cafe and shop. But not cheap.

Absolutely wonderful place to visit. There's so much to see, you can easily spend a full day here in good weather. Be sure to explore out onto the costal path too for some beautiful views. 7 day free return visit included in ticket price. I visited with children who never once moaned about being bored! CONS: Very disappointing that this is a card only venue, as someone who values cash purchases and came unprepared, I was unfortunately unable to make any purchases onsite.

Fantastic gardens with it's own micro climate. Lots of plants that would not grow outdoors anywhere else in the UK. Look out for the Red Squirrel's, tiny lizards and teripins in the pool.

Beautiful gardens arranged on the outskirts of Ventnor. Spent half a day here walking the hillside, which is arranged into several featured gardens of the countries of the world. There are plants for sale and a nice cafe too. Well worth the £10.50 entry fee

Visited today. Disappointing. Very overgrown in places. Giant Amazon water lily not visible in tropical greenhouse. Even sat and watched an old BBCprogramme about it before entering. Not really worth the entrance money

Place was ok but expensive for what it is. Not much for toddlers to do. Quite tired looking and a bit sad. Shame.

Far outstripped expectations. Beautiful gardens and lots to see, our toddler loved it too

Expected the gardens to be more colourful than implied by this selection.

Lovely garden, very tranquil, varied plants, ample parking, friendly staff, loses a star as it is a bit expensive for what's on offer.

Elképesztő csoda világ! Nem csak botanikusoknak. Elég ha csupán azzal jellemzem ezt a lenyűgöző szín, illat és forma kavalkádot, hogy még a tinédzser gyerekek is élvezték, pedig ebben a korban majdnem minden unalmas ami nem digitális :)

Nice day out at the Botanic gardens. Started at the café, lovely mushroom omelette freshly cooked in front of our table with good tea & flat white coffee at reasonable prices. Entrance was £10.50 adult ticket, which I think is good value for what there is to see. Winding pathways work there way back & forth through wooded area's to open green lawns. Large hill on the side of the gardens give good views out to sea & back over the gardens. Much to see here, visit approx 3 hours.

such a lovely place. food was so fab, so many wonderful vegan options as well as others stuff. such a great day out and really good that you can return for free. would recommend to all :) xx

Expensive for what you get I wish they maintained it more.

We really enjoyed looking at all the plants at the Botanic Gardens and the weather was lovely and sunny. There are benches around, so if you get tired you can rest. The only thing that let it down was the cafe, very limited menu, which seemed to be aimed at vegan/vegetarians. Which we were neither, so didn't eat or drink there.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Ventnor Botanic Gardens with family, and I must say it was a truly enchanting experience. Nestled amidst the picturesque landscape of the island, these gardens are a haven for nature enthusiasts, plant lovers, and those seeking a peaceful escape from the bustling towns and coastlines. The first thing that struck me upon entering the gardens was the sheer beauty and diversity of the plant life on display. The botanical gardens boast an impressive collection of exotic and rare plants from around the world, displaying a wide range of vibrant colours, fragrances, and textures. From towering palm trees to delicate orchids, every corner of the gardens holds a new surprise waiting to be discovered. The layout of the gardens is thoughtfully designed, offering visitors a seamless journey through different themed areas. As I strolled along the meandering pathways, I was delighted to explore sections dedicated to Mediterranean flora, Japanese gardens with towering bamboo groves, succulents nestled in rocky landscapes, and even a tranquil pond with water lilies and turtles. Each area exuded its unique atmosphere, transporting me to various parts of the globe. One aspect that sets the Botanical Gardens in Ventnor apart is its commitment to education and conservation. Throughout the gardens, informative signage and displays supply valuable insights into the plants' origins, their medicinal properties, and the efforts taken to preserve endangered species. It was truly fascinating to learn about the important work being done to protect and propagate these botanical treasures. The facilities at the gardens are well-maintained and visitor friendly. There are ample benches and resting areas strategically placed, allowing visitors to take a moment to soak in the serenity of the surroundings. Additionally, the staff members were courteous, knowledgeable, and readily available to answer any questions, making the visit even more enjoyable. For those seeking refreshments, there is the Plantation Room Café and Terrace and the edulis Restaurant to choose from. The café which we visited offers a delightful selection of snacks and beverages, supplying a perfect spot to relax on the terrace and recharge amidst nature's beauty. I particularly enjoyed sipping a cup of coffee while overlooking the gardens, immersing myself once again in their tranquil atmosphere. In conclusion, the Botanical Gardens in Ventnor, Isle of Wight, offer an enchanting escape into the world of plants and natural beauty. With its diverse collection of flora, well-designed layout, educational focus, and welcoming facilities, it is a destination that will captivate visitors of all ages. Whether you are a seasoned horticulturist or simply someone seeking a peaceful retreat, these gardens are a must-visit when exploring the Isle of Wight. I left the gardens feeling refreshed, inspired, and with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of the botanical world.

Visited May. Lots of lovely plants but a bit too overgrown and wild (compare to say Wakehurst Wild garden). Did enjoy the unusual plants and walking around. Not many plant labels, which was a shame. Cafe lovely with nice seating overlooking the garden (had breakfast & later afternoon tea ;-)). Plenty of parking & toilets. Location of car park allowed us to do the Coastal walk, a bit challenging for us but great views. Rewarded by lunch at Spyglass inn. We had voucher for gardens, otherwise wouldn't have gone in - but used car park for about £5 instead.

Loved the gardens but visit was spoiled by the dreadful overpriced food from the cafe.

Beautiful, well thought out & cared for gardens. Wheelchair & electric scooter accessible to most areas. Friendly & hard working Team throughout, especially in the entrance cafe. Highly recommended a visit to these interesting, beautiful gardens.

nearly put off visiting the garden having read all the controversy online, but so glad we didn't - really beautiful gardens with heavenly scents as you walk around the different zones. Particularly enjoyed the entrance to the hothouse, very atmospheric. Well worth the entrance fee, which includes parking albeit not obvious from the car park. Nearly bought some plants, but the tills weren't working in the shop and the queue was too slow in the cafe

The birds of paradise are past their best and the gardens seem to be suffering from budget constraints. Pleasant enough to wander around but not much that wowed me. A lot of areas have been neglected and very little was blooming for late May. The neglect is most apparent in the tropical house, as pictured. This decadence has its own charm as the grounds run quietly to seed or are kept tidy with minimal investment. Okay if you have a car and ready cash, but adding a tenner, and a three mile digression to my walk especially to visit, left me a little disappointed. It's a fairly compact place and the guided route is a half hour amble if nothing much catches your attention. Good for reading a book or sitting under a tree or a long summer lunch at the cafe.

Amazing place, so peaceful and beautiful. So many plants, trees and flowers. Loved the indoor tropical house. My only gripe is a tad expensive that's all and need more cake options in the cafe. Saw a red squirrel and a lizard, really made my day was very special I do think more information of the plants and flowers would have been great. Especially around the medicinal part. Like maybe a scan a qr code on your phone, needs updating abit.

Dear oh dear. I'm afraid that this place needs a huge amount of work to justify the cost of visiting it. It's run down, overgrown and just not interesting. The cafe menu is uninteresting, and doesn't offer anything normal like nice freshly cut sandwiches, relying instead on paninis and cakes. We sat down, read the menu and left without eating. We won't be back. At a time when the onus is on getting people into attractions, and money in the till, this place is just not worth visiting.

We have just visited the Botanic Gardens and spent an excellent afternoon viewing the wonderful array of flowers, shrubs and trees, we also had a wonderful extended view of a Red Squirrel on one of the lawns under the trees. The Tropical House was interesting and very warm. A lovely tea room and clean loos. A must see if visiting the lsland. Recommended.