Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is home to one of the UK’s finest and largest botanic collections, with over 10,000 species—a living collection of rare species from around the globe. Located just a mile from the city centre, the Gardens have offered a rich and unique biodiverse natural environment for almost two centuries.

Introduced as an exclusive environment for scientific study and advancement, they were designed by celebrated landscape designer and horticulturist J.C Louden in 1829. Throughout the Victorian period, they quickly evolved and diversified to become a beloved green tonic for Birmingham’s citizens. Today, working with the talented team at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, our plans will preserve and once again evolve this unique asset for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

Presently, the Gardens is an independent charity that relies on ticket sales, a café, a garden shop and individual giving. To preserve the collection and Gardens, and with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, our scheme to transform and restore the Grade-II* listed site will deliver a long-term sustainable future and a revitalised visitor experience. By preserving and enhancing the 15-acre site and the many heritage assets, including four Victorian glasshouses restored to their original form, our project will adapt to best serve contemporary horticultural needs.

Collaborating with conservation specialists and historic buildings consultants Donald Insall Associates, we’ll carefully pair back the layers to improve the visitor experience and facilities. In keeping with the tradition and heritage of Edgbaston, including the nearby Guinea gardens, the masterplan will provide a low-carbon solution that is also a sympathetic reinterpretation of the existing gardens and structures.

The safeguarded Gardens and Glasshouses will deliver a first-class visitor destination for another two centuries —with completion due in 2028—in time to celebrate the Gardens’ bicentenary in 2029. Once completed, our interventions will renovate this key heritage asset to align with the city’s Our Future City: Central Birmingham 2045 framework, creating a green, sustainable and walkable city.