2-for-1 Gardens – Glasshouses

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Wednesday, 18 October 2023 at 5:06 pm

Escape the autumn weather with a trip to one of the glasshouses and hot houses in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme, from Kew Gardens to West Dean.

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If, like the plants, you're starting to feel the chills of winter, here are some of the best glasshouses and hot houses you can visit using our 2-for-1 Gardens card.

Dundee University Botanical Gardens

Dundee University Botanic Garden

2-for-1 Gardens - Dundee University Botanic Gardens

On the banks of the River Tay, Dundee University Botanic Garden showcases native and exotic plant collections, with an additional educational focus. Discover the Evolutionary Garden, which traces the history of primitive lichens and mosses into flowering plants. Follow their native plant collection from north to south, with highland scrub and heather giving way to a lush lowland area. In the glasshouses, look out for the arid zone, and equally ‘hot’ Curry Corner.

Disabled access: Full access
Dogs: Not permitted
Single visitor discount: No
Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Find out more about Dundee University Botanical Gardens in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Dundee University Botanical Gardens website for further details

Staunton Farm and Gardens

Staunton Farm, Gardens & Country Park

2-for-1 Gardens - Staunton Farm, Gardens & Country Park

Just outside of Portsmouth, Staunton Farm and Gardens is a great day out for the whole family. It's home to lots of animals, including ponies, llamas, rabbits, ferrets and reptiles. If you’d like to feed them, you can pick up some animal feed from the farm shop. Kids can enjoy exploring the play barn and hedge maze, whilst in contrast, the Victorian Glasshouses provide a warm and welcome moment of tranquillity. In the glasshouses, find banana trees, palms and giant amazon water lilies.

Disabled access: Full access
Dogs: Not permitted
Single visitor discount: No
Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Visit the Staunton Farm and Gardens website for further details

West Dean Gardens

2-for-1 gardens - West Dean Gardens

2-for-1 Gardens - West Dean Gardens

West Deans Gardens, near Chichester, houses 13 historic Victorian glasshouses. These are home to an extraordinary collection of chillies, tomatoes, peaches, and grapes, as well as having its own melon house and pineapple pit. Monty Don has described the glasshouses as an ‘inspirational model of how best to use a greenhouse’ and ‘a treasure for all gardeners’. The historic glasshouses, along with the other buildings at West Dean, are heated sustainably using wood chip from the estate.

Disabled access: Partial access
Dogs: Permitted on the lead
Single visitor discount: Yes
Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Find out more about West Dean Gardens in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the West Dean website for further details

Dyffryn Garden and Arboretum

The Edwardian-era Dyffryn Gardens & Arboretum, near Cardiff, contains a series of garden rooms, each with its own unique theme and styling. As well as intimate garden rooms, Dyffryn is also home to a sheltered walled garden, with working kitchen garden and glasshouse. Dyffryn boasts an impressive cactus collection, with the promise of always seeing something exotic in bloom. Take a path through the 22-acre arboretum to see the orange and red hues of late autumn, and enjoy the feel of leaves crunching under foot.

Disabled access: Full access
Dogs: Permitted on the lead
Single visitor discount: No
Refreshments: Light refreshments

Find out more about Dyffryn Garden and Arboretum in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Dyffryn Garden and Arboretum website for further details

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