Situated in the university area of the city, Belfast’s Botanic Gardens have long been popular with locals and tourists alike. The gardens have been a public park to the people of the city since 1895. And they form an important part of its Victorian heritage. Botanic Gardens includes a rose garden, a Palm House and a Tropical Ravine which just opened its doors to the public last week after a substantial renovation. During the Easter break, on a rainy afternoon, I had a chance to stroll around the Palm House in Belfast. It’s one of my favourite places in the city.
Some facts
The Palm House, Belfast is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear cast iron glass house. Construction began in 1840, during the Victorian age, when there was growing public interest in horticulture and botany. Two wings were later added by Richard Turner of Dublin who subsequently built the Great Palm House at Kew Gardens.
The exterior of the Palm House, Belfast
A botanical pick me up
For any lover of plants and flowers, it’s the perfect little spot for a botanical pick me up. There is a wonderful selection of plants, flowers and trees from the southern hemisphere on display, creating a lovely assault on the senses. It’s a vision of green around every bend. There are pops of tropical colour and a floral scent rises on the humid air. I wandered around at my leisure, having forgotten what a lovely place this is to spend an afternoon.
Scenes from inside The Palm House, Belfast
And although the place was busy with tourists, I still enjoyed the occasional moment of solitude. As I walked through the door to this wing of the glasshouse and shut it quietly behind me, I had the flowers all to myself for a few minutes. It was really rather lovely.
Some useful info
The Palm House is easily accessible. By foot it’s about a 10-15 minute walk from the centre of Belfast. Or you can use one of the many buses that serve the university area of the city. It’s open from April to September and entrance is completely free. You can wander around at your leisure, particularly on a rainy day of which we have many ! Even if plants aren’t your thing, it gives you an insight into Belfast during it’s Victorian heyday. And afterwards you can walk through Botanic Gardens or go for coffee in one of the many lovely cafes in the area.
For more information, you can visit the Discover Northern Ireland website.
Thanks for stopping by,
Paula
Useful Links
Other posts from Typewriter Girl to enjoy:-
Finding Hope in Nature: A Personal Reflection on January
Beautiful Roses in Belfast’s Lady Dixon Park
Exploring Copenhagen’s Green Spaces
Thanks for a real nostalgic trip. Boyhood pre-War memories of the Botanic Gardens when we spent holidays in the area. Interesting the 1849 date. Paxton used the same techniques for the Great Exhibition building in Hyde Park in 1851 on a much grander scale. Des.
Thanks Des..it was a bit of nostalgia for me too.😊
Lovely place. Visited during a conference in 2006. Nice to see it again.😍
Yes it’s a great wee spot in town 😊
This is such a beautiful place! I’d love to visit 🌼😀