Tickets and Times

Find out more:

• Opening times
• Admission and exit points
• Daily admission charges
• Season tickets
• Group rates

Opening times

The Botanic Garden is open almost every day of the year, including Sundays and Bank Holidays, but does close shortly before Christmas and re-open after New Year when Durham University itself is closed - for more information on the exact dates please contact Event Durham.

From Monday 8 April, the Botanic Garden will be undertaking essential work on the roof of the Visitor Centre, taking around 6 weeks.

The front entrance to the Visitor Centre will not be able to be accessed. The entry point will be from the gate at the end of the Botanic Garden car park, down the pathway, then visitors will be able to pay admission by entering the back entrance of the Visitor Centre at the café area.

Please note, the Botanic Garden will be closed on Monday 22 April due to planned telecom mast works on Hollingside Lane. The Botanic Garden will then reopen at 10am on Tuesday 23 April.

From Monday 29 April, access into the Garden will change and the front Visitor Centre entrance will become available. However, visitors will not be able to access the Garden from back entrance of the Visitor Centre. Visitors will be required to exit out of the Garden and then through the wooden side gate. Please note, the date of this may change.

Admission and exit points

The Botanic Garden Kiosk (Howlands Park and Ride) entrance is a swipe card system which can be accessed by Season Ticket Holders, Friends of the Garden and Campus Card Holders only. 

The small car park at the Visitor Centre offers free parking, please leave your car registration at the Visitor Centre to avoid a parking ticket. Payment is by card only. 

Visitors can use either entrance to leave the gardens.

Daily admission charges

Season tickets

Valid for one year from date of purchase, available from the Visitor Centre. 

Group rates 

£4.25 per person. Only available to pre-booked groups of 10 or more adults.

Please book by contacting Event Durham. 

* Definition of Carer 

Helper/Carer - This is defined as a person dedicated to the full-time care of a specific person on a 1:1 basis. A helper/carer is not someone who is part of a group and generally doesn't need to offer personal assistance to an individual, merely there as part of the group visit. Helper/carers have free entry on the understanding they are not visiting the garden but are there to facilitate the visit for the person they are assisting.