Dawyck Botanic Garden
BEST FOR
Ages 0-15
ENTRY
from £10
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Peebles
What it’s like
Tree trails tracing famous plant hunters' journeys through a big garden where under-16s get in free.
This is a garden built around stories, not just planting. The themed tree trails follow the routes of the plant hunters who brought these species back in the first place, so a walk round becomes a bit of a treasure hunt for older kids who like a narrative to follow. Younger ones will be happier just spotting what's in season, snowdrops early on, bluebells and rhododendrons later, then the colour show in autumn.
Entry is £12 for an adult and free for anyone 15 and under, which makes it a genuinely cheap day out if you've got a few children in tow. Under-14s do need an adult with them at all times, and there's a firm no-climbing rule on trees, railings and structures, so if your crowd is the sort that treats every fence as a challenge, have that conversation before you get out of the car. No musical instruments or games either, this is a garden for looking, not a park for kickabouts.
It's open daily from February to the end of November, 10 to 5 in the main season and 10 to 4 either side of it, with last entry around 45 minutes before closing. It shuts for December and January entirely, so this isn't a Christmas lights sort of visit. The Dawyck Café does breakfast, lunch and home baking daily, and there's a proper car park on site with room for coaches, which suggests this is a place used to bigger groups as well as a single buggy and a flask of tea.
Wheelchair access is confirmed across the site, and dogs are assistance animals only, so leave the family dog at home unless it's working. Public transport gets a mention too: the Border Buses x62 runs from Edinburgh, and the local 91 will stop outside on request if you flag it down.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Accompanied kids up to 15, free entry for that age group
- Last entry
- 4:15pm (March-Oct) or 3:15pm (Feb-Nov)
- Parking
- Large car park on site with designated parking for coaches and minibuses
- Food
- Dawyck Café open daily with breakfast, lunch, scones and home baking
- Dogs
- Assistance animals only. Other pet animals cannot access the grounds
- Getting there by bus or train
- Border Buses x62 (Edinburgh-Peebles, 1.25 hrs)
- Group rates kick in at 11 or more adults, at £9.70 each
- No musical instruments or games and sports allowed anywhere in the garden
- Bike parking is available if you're cycling in
- Closed through December and January, so plan a season around it
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£12 for an adult, £10 concession, and free for anyone 15 and under. Young Scot card holders and those on Universal Credit or Pension Credit pay just £1.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link listed, so it reads as a turn-up-and-pay-on-the-day sort of place.
What are the opening hours?
10am to 5pm from March to October, and 10am to 4pm in February and November. Last entry is around 45 minutes before closing.
Is it open all year?
It's open daily from 1 February to 30 November, then closed for December and January.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
There's no minimum age, but under-14s must be with an adult throughout, and climbing on trees, railings or structures isn't allowed.
Can we bring the dog?
Only assistance animals are allowed in the grounds, so other pets need to stay home.
Is there anywhere to eat?
The Dawyck Café is open daily for breakfast, lunch, scones and home baking, and can do group catering if you ask ahead.
Is there parking on site?
Yes, there's a large car park with designated spaces for coaches and minibuses.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
All spaces are listed as wheelchair accessible.
Can we get there by public transport?
The Border Buses x62 runs from Edinburgh to Peebles in about 1.25 hours, and the Scottish Borders Council 91 bus stops outside on request.
Featured in 1 Huddlepin list
See all Gardens & Arboretums in Edinburgh · Things to do in Edinburgh
MAKE A DAY OF IT
