The Palm House predates the famous Palm House at Kew Gardens by several years.
The gardens were originally a private subscription facility before becoming public property in 1895.
The Tropical Ravine utilizes a clever 'ravine' design to allow visitors to view plant life from both ground level and a balcony above.
The site hosts a notable collection of trees, including a rare specimen of the Handkerchief Tree.
The Rose Garden contains over 2,000 individual rose bushes representing various historical and modern varieties.
Belfast Botanic Gardens is a 28-acre public park established in 1828, featuring the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine. The Palm House, completed in 1840, is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear cast-iron glasshouse. The Tropical Ravine houses an exotic collection of plants in a sunken, humidity-controlled environment. The park grounds include the Ulster Museum, located at the main entrance. The gardens serve as a major green space for the Queen's University area of Belfast. It contains a significant rose garden and several rare tree species. The site is a Grade A listed historic park.
The external view of the Palm House reflecting in the front lawn ponds.
Check the internal humidity levels of the glasshouses before entering, as they can be significantly warmer than the external Belfast weather.
Walk the full length of the park to see the statue of Lord Kelvin, who was born in Belfast.
Combine your visit with the adjacent Ulster Museum for a full-day experience.
Do not climb on the Victorian-era stonework or pick any plants from the flowerbeds.
The Tropical Ravine and Palm House may operate on different seasonal schedules than the public park grounds.
