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Best Gardens in Aberdeen
One of my favourite things to do in Aberdeen is visit public gardens. I’m convinced that if I soak up enough rays at public gardens, my skin will eventually graduate from ‘pasty’ to ‘presentable.’
Whether you seek serene contemplation, family outings, or photographic inspiration, our list of the best gardens in Aberdeen promises a captivating blend of botanical marvels and scenic vistas – perfect for setting your minds at ease!
Johnston Gardens
Address: Johnston Gardens, Viewfield Rd, Aberdeen AB15 7XE, United Kingdom
Operating Hours:
- Park: 8 AM until 1 hour before dusk
- Toilets: Summer – Mon-Fri: 7.30 AM to 4 PM
- Winter – Tue-Fri: 8 AM to 4 PM
Contact Details: +44 1224 346421
Facilities: Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Parking Lot, Public Toilets, Swings, Slides, Car Parking off Viewfield Road
Admission: Free
Back in the day, Johnston Gardens used to be part of the Johnston House estate, but in 1936, it was gifted to the city. These gardens have clinched several Britain in Bloom awards, and we think it deserves them all.
It has lovely streams, ponds, cascading waterfalls, and charming rockeries; its cute little bridge is the icing on the cake. Plus, if you’ve got kiddos in tow, there’s a play area with slides and swings that they’ll love.
Here’s the best part: dogs are more than welcome. With all these wonderful features and handy facilities, a trip to Johnston Gardens is a must for a fantastic family day out.
Pro tip:
Visit during the spring and summer months where you can view rhododendrons, spring bulbs, heathers, and alpines in full bloom. The ponds also become a haven for irises and aquatic plants, attracting mallard ducks and even breeding moorhens!
David Welch Winter Gardens
Website: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/leisure-culture-and-parks/parks-and-gardens/duthie-park
Address: Polmuir Road, Aberdeen AB11 7TH, United Kingdom
Operating Hours:
- March to October – Mon-Sun: 10:30AM – 5AM
- November to February – Mon-Sun: 10:30AM – 4AM
Contact Details: +44 1224 346421
Facilities: Chargeable Automated Public Convenience, Bike Lock Up Stands
Admission: Free
Originally constructed in the early 20th century, David Welch Winter Gardens underwent a transformation after a bout of severe weather in 1969. Now, it is one of Scotland’s most sought-after indoor plant collections.
Honoured with Aberdeen’s first Green Flag Park Award in 2013, this hidden gem beckons you to explore its lush foliage and serene ambiance. This kid and bike-friendly venue also welcomes families and their fur babies all year long!
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for an enchanting wedding venue, then consider making the Winter Gardens an extraordinary backdrop for your wedding ceremony and photos. The garden’s lovely Temperate House can accommodate up to 70 guests.
Cruickshank Botanic Garden
Website: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/about/campus/cruickshank-botanic-garden.php
Address: St Machar Dr, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 9AM–7PM
Contact Details: +44 1224 272704
Facilities: Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Parking Lot
Admission: Free
Established in 1898 and nestled within the University of Aberdeen’s campus is Cruickshank Botanic Garden. What’s cool is that every summer break, it offers a bursary that lets a student who’s into botany get some hands-on work experience.
This 11-acre oasis seems to have everything – from shrub borders and a tranquil rock and water garden to a sun-kissed rose garden and aromatic herbaceous borders. I love wandering through the arboretum and exploring its over 2500-strong plant taxa.
Pro tip:
Don’t miss out on their annual spring plant sale where you can seize the opportunity to score incredible deals and hidden horticultural gems. Most prices range from £1 to £4, ensuring you won’t break the bank while enriching your garden with new additions.
Persley Walled Garden
Address: Aberdeen AB21 9WH, United Kingdom
Operating Hours:
- May to Sept – 9.30AM -9PM
- Oct to Apr – 9.30AM -4PM
Contact Details: +44 1224 522734
Facilities: Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Parking Lot
Admission: Free
Persley Walled Garden was established in 1997 to honour the Scottish Trade Union Congress’s centenary. We simply adore this Victorian haven, which boasts captivating herbaceous borders and a charming fountain.
It used to be the garden of Woodside House but was revitalised by Aberdeen City Council to pay tribute to Workers Memorial Day. These historic grounds feature neat box hedge quadrants, colourful bedding plants, and alluring herbaceous borders.
Plus, there’s a granite obelisk memorial here, making this compact yet enchanting garden a perfect spot for quiet reading or peaceful contemplation.
Pro tip:
Hiking enthusiasts like me will appreciate the nature trail extending from the garden along the picturesque River Don, leading to the estuary mouth about four miles away. It’s a great opportunity for a scenic hike!
Pitmedden Garden & Museum of Farming Life
Website: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/pitmedden-garden
Address: Pitmedden Garden Pitmedden, Aberdeen AB41 7PD Scotland
Operating Hours:
- April 13 to July 5: 10:30 PM–4:30 PM – Thu–Sun
- July 6 to Sep 3: 10:30 PM–4:30 PM – Mon-Sun
- Sep 4 to Oct 11: 10:30 PM–4:30 PM – Thu–Sun
- Oct 12 – Oct 29: 10:30 PM–4:30 PM – Mon-Sun
- Oct 30 –Mar 28: Closed
Contact Details: +44 1651 842352
Facilities: Chargeable Automated Public Convenience, Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Parking Lot, Picnic Tables, Slides, Swings
Admission:
- Adult – £9.50
- Family – £21.00
- One adult family – £15.50
- Concession – £7.50
- Young Scot – £1.00
Since 1675, Pitmedden Garden & Museum of Farming Life has offered vibrant parterres and over 30,000 annual bedding plants in stunning patterns. Celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw has truly designed a 21st-century twist on traditional gardens.
For history buffs, you can explore the Museum of Farming Life for a glimpse into the agricultural past. And for those who love organic produce – yum! – mark your calendar for Apple Sunday in autumn, a family-friendly event offering freshly harvested fruits.
With its meticulously manicured shapes, vibrant colours, and almost 6 miles of clipped box hedging, we believe Pitmedden Garden showcases remarkable design.
Pro tip:
For a nature-filled adventure, follow the waymarked trail through the woodlands surrounding the garden. Also, you can look out for playful squirrels and other fascinating wildlife along the way!
Union Terrace Gardens
Address: Union Terrace Gardens, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact Details: https://www.facebook.com/unionterraceaberdeen/
Facilities: Wheelchair-Friendly Walkway Route, Lift Access, Toilets, Children’s Play Area, Improved Disabled Parking Facilities, Event Space
Admission: Free
Discover the newly rejuvenated Union Terrace Gardens, now open following a £28.3 million renovation project. The makeover has brought enhanced accessibility, featuring a children’s play area, restrooms, and cafes, while preserving historical elements.
The restoration extends to the ‘grand staircase,’ a water feature, and trees, such as sessile oaks, hop hornbeams, and red maples. We admire these improvements that aim to revitalise Aberdeen while promoting pedestrian-friendly spaces.
Pro tip:
For those with mobility issues, this garden is the place to go. It’s known for being the most wheelchair friendly garden in Aberdeen, offering various wheelchair-friendly walkway routes, lift access, and even improved disabled parking facilities!
Ben Reid Garden Centre
Website: https://www.ben-reid.co.uk/
Address: Pinewood Park Nurseries, Countesswells Rd, Aberdeen AB15 7AL, UK
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 9 AM–5 PM
Contact Details: +44 1224 318744
Facilities: Nursery, Garden, Garden Centre
Admission: Free
For over 250 years, the gardening passion at Ben Reid Garden Centre has flourished. The owners are gardeners themselves, serving fellow enthusiasts in Aberdeen and beyond.
Their family-run garden and nursery business thrives on cultivating varieties that flourish in our North East climate. In fact, they’re proud to be among Aberdeen’s most well-stocked garden plant nurseries!
With a commitment to providing fit, healthy, and tested plant varieties as well as offering expert planting advice, they’ll help you transform your garden into a thriving haven.
Pro tip:
If you’re an electric vehicle owner, you’ll appreciate the convenience of their electric vehicle charging station. It’s conveniently located near their restroom facilities.
Piper Alpha Memorial Garden
Website: https://aboutaberdeen.com/Piper-Alpha-Memorial
Address: Hazlehead Park, Hazlehead, Aberdeen AB15 8BJ, United Kingdom
Admission: Free
The Piper Alpha Memorial Garden pays tribute to the tragic Piper Alpha Disaster. Crafted by Scottish artist Sue Jane Taylor, the poignant bronze memorial lists the names and ages of the 167 men who perished in the offshore tragedy.
Unveiled by the Queen Mother, this memorial and primarily rose garden stands as a tribute to the courage of survivors, families, and rescuers. It serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating events of July 6, 1988.
Pro tip:
Those who plan to bring their children should be extra-careful. One of the art sculptures has pieces of metal sticking up from the ground, making the area unsafe for young children, especially toddlers.
Victoria Park
Website: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/leisure-culture-and-parks/parks-and-gardens/victoria-park
Address: Watson St, Aberdeen AB25, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact Details: +44 1224 633545
Admission: Free
Victoria Park, established in 1871 and hailed as Aberdeen’s first public park, covers five hectares of lush greenery. Named in tribute to Queen Victoria, the public garden boasts a rich array of shrubs, flowers, and trees.
In 1971, to celebrate the park’s 100th anniversary, all 36 Aberdeen Councillors planted a tree in the park. They also put up a granite stone to mark the occasion.
It also has cosy seating spots and a glasshouse showcasing diverse plant species, including majestic pines during summer. The centrepiece is a remarkable fountain crafted from 14 distinct granite varieties, which is renowned as one of Britain’s finest.
Pro tip:
What’s unique about this garden is that it has a sensory garden called “Sunny Valley” for disabled individuals. This is perfect for those with mobility issues who want to enjoy moments of solitude or companionship amidst the garden’s beauty.
The Walled Garden
Website: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/leisure-culture-and-parks/parks-and-gardens/seaton-park
Address: Seaton Park, Don St, Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact Details: +44 1334 460644
Admission: Free
Nestled within Seaton Park, The Walled Garden offers a picturesque retreat in the heart of Aberdeen. It’s known for its ‘Cathedral Walk’ – an arrangement of flower beds, roses, and herbaceous borders bursts with vibrant life during midsummer.
Seaton Park also hosts Mr Therm, a former steam engine transformed into a playful sculpture, delighting generations of children. Since it’s an ideal spot for Sunday strolls, we always go here for our family outings or for biking and jogging.
Pro tip:
If you want to explore, adjacent to the garden lies the historic Brig o’ Balgownie, a remarkable thirteenth-century gothic bridge. The bridge then leads you to Cottown of Balgownie, a captivating collection of red-tiled cottages and quaint tiny gardens.
