Ness Botanic Gardens
ENTRY
from £1
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Ness
What it’s like
A wander through rock gardens, a conservatory and a mindful garden, with a Punch and Judy show and seasonal workshops thrown in.
Wide paths, a Rock Garden to scramble around, and the Hulme Conservatory to duck into if the weather turns. There's a Mindful Garden too, which sounds like it's aimed at the adults, but it's a decent spot to slow the kids down for five minutes between running about. The Punch and Judy Show with Magic and the seasonal workshops (snowdrops in winter, autumn ones later in the year) give you a reason to time your visit around something rather than just turning up and hoping.
Entry isn't cheap for a family day of walking round a garden: £8.50 for an adult, £4.50 for a child aged 5 to 16, and under-5s go free. A family ticket for two adults and three kids comes to £21.50, which is the sensible option if you're bringing more than one child. Students and University of Liverpool staff get in for £1, which is a properly good deal if that applies to you.
Last entry is 4.30pm but once you're in you can stay until dusk, so a summer evening visit gets you the long light without paying for extra hours. The Botanic Kitchen café does hot food until 3pm and drinks and cakes until 4pm, so don't leave lunch too late if you want a hot meal. School groups come through for Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 visits, which tells you the paths and features are built with younger children in mind even outside term time trips.
Worth knowing before you set off: the gardens shut in high winds (forecast gusts around 50mph or above), and snow, ice or very hot weather can close them too. Some features are also closed now and then for improvement work, so it isn't always the full site on offer.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 4:30pm
- Food
- Botanic Kitchen café with hot food, drinks and cakes
- Wheelchairs
- Manual wheelchairs available free to borrow
- Dogs
- Registered assistance dogs welcome throughout the site including all indoor and outdoor areas
- Worth knowing
- Ness members enjoy free entry to the gardens
- Last hot food order at the café is 3pm, drinks and cakes until 4pm
- Once you're through the gate at 4.30pm you can stay until dusk
- Students and University of Liverpool staff get in for £1
- High winds, snow or ice can shut the gardens for the day
- Gift Aid adds a bit to the standard prices listed
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£8.50 for an adult, £4.50 for a child aged 5 to 16, and under-5s are free. A family ticket for 2 adults and 3 kids is £21.50.
Do we need to book?
No booking listed, you can just turn up. Last admission is 4.30pm daily.
How long can we stay once we're in?
You can stay until dusk once you're admitted, even though last entry is 4.30pm. Members can come back in after 5pm by scanning their card.
What is there for younger children to do?
The Rock Garden, the conservatory and the Mindful Garden are all things to explore on foot. There's also a Punch and Judy Show with Magic and seasonal workshops like the snowdrop one.
What about food?
The Botanic Kitchen café does hot food, drinks and cakes. Hot food stops at 3pm, drinks and cakes at 4pm, so plan lunch before then.
Is it OK for a toddler in a buggy?
The site is described as wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets and baby change facilities, which points to buggy-friendly paths too.
Do you take dogs?
Only registered assistance dogs, including ones in training, are allowed throughout the site.
What happens in bad weather?
The gardens close if winds are forecast around 50mph or above, and also close for snow, ice or excessive heat. Some features can also be shut for ongoing improvement work.
Is there wheelchair access?
Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free from the Admissions Desk and Tramper mobility scooters are available if reserved in advance.
Do carers get in free?
One registered carer or essential companion is admitted free per paying disabled visitor. Concessionary rate applies if you're supporting someone on DLA, PIP, or with an Access Card or Blue Badge.
Can school groups visit?
School visits are offered for Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children.
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