Palm House

Exterior of the Palm House in Botanic Gardens The Palm House is located in Botanic Gardens and contains a range of tropical plants, hanging baskets and seasonal displays.

In the dome, tall trees are entwined with flowering climbers and hanging baskets and the perimeter benches are decorated with colourful plants.

Massed plants are displayed in the cool wing, where seasonal displays include Schizanthus blooms, spring bulbs, flame nettles, cyclamens and chrysanthemums.

The stove wing, which is hotter, contains a 'mini jungle' of exotic plants, including birds of paradise, frangipani and bromeliads.

Opening hours

We are open at the following times:

Opening hours for Palm House
Month Opening hours
April to September Monday to Friday - 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm
Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays - 1pm to 5pm
October to March Monday to Friday - 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3.45pm
Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays - 1pm to 3.45pm

Tours

We cannot currently accommodate tours of the Palm House. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

History

The Palm House is one of the earliest examples of a glasshouse made from curved iron and glass.

It shows how advances in glasshouse technology allowed horiculturists to grow exotic plant species during the Victorian period.

The building was designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, who also helped design parts of nearby Queen's University.

The foundation stone was laid in 1839 and the two wings were completed in 1840 by leading ironmaster Richard Turner. The dome was added in 1852.

More information

For more information about the Palm House, call us on 028 9031 4762 or email parksinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk