Let's visit:
Ventnor Botanic Garden!
Ventnor Botanic Garden is a very popular Isle of Wight attraction. Open all year round with delights at every turn, it is quite simply a wonderful place to explore, for all ages. We visit on a regular basis and are never disappointed.
Located on 'The Undercliff', Ventnor Botanic Garden spreads over a 22 acre site formerly occupied by a huge, Victorian hospital which was built specifically for people with respiratory diseases (TB and pneumonia etc). Apparently certain physicians of the day realised the potential benefits of the mild climate and clean air around Ventnor - hence the hospital. Books and pamphlets about this are available from the gift shop, if you are interested. (The photos of patients being forced to walk around the grounds carrying heavy baskets of rocks are amazing! It was supposed to improve their lung capacity, presumably!)
Mimosa in full bloom (February 2008)
The hospital was demolished in 1967, since when Ventnor Botanic Garden has developed into the marvelous attraction you see today. It's FREE to get in, but please note that car parking charges apply - all year round. As you arrive you will note the impressive Visitor Centre adjacent to the car park. This houses various rooms used for exhibition purposes and, on the ground floor, a cafeteria and toilets. (It's all very well thought out with lifts and wheelchair access everywhere.)
Visitor Centre, cafe and fish pond
The garden is divided into 'continents', so, as you wander around the gently sloping, meandering paths, you will find yourself drifting through New Zealand, then on to the Americas, then the Mediterranean Terraces and even Japan! You will see fabulous Cordylines, tree ferns, huge cacti, towering hydrangeas, palms of all descriptions - some perhaps in flower.
Ventnor Botanic Garden Mediterranean Terrace
Depending on when you visit, you may be lucky enough to see, near the car park, multi-coloured banks of Osteospermum in full bloom. Absolutely stunning. Look out also for the giant fig tree in the same area near a newly constructed pergola.
Multi-coloured banks of Osteospermum
Nearer to the Visitor Centre, you may see beds of Canna and other exotic blooms.
Canna in full bloom
My favourite is undoubtedly the exotic Echium pininana which grows like a weed here, on The Undercliff. A native of The Canary Isles, the flowering stalks of these majestic plants grow up to 12 feet tall, each spire formed of 'strings' of minute, blue flowers. The bees love them!
(We have young Echium pininana plants for sale.
CLICK HERE for further information.)
Yours truly and friend admiring the Echiums (Echia?)
Take care not to touch the main supporting stem of the Echium plant as it will be covered in transparent barbs which stick firmly into your hands and are very difficult to remove (believe me!).
Close up of Echium pininana flowers
If you bring children with you to the gardens they will love the huge fish pond by the cafeteria. It's well stocked with water lilies, huge Koi and goldfish of all sizes. Small children will also love the purpose-built play area in the far, right hand corner of the grounds.
Where is it? Ventnor Botanic Garden is located on the main A3055 which runs between Ventnor and Niton. It is approximately one and a half miles from Ventnor town centre. (O.S. map reference: SZ548768)
I hope you enjoyed reading about Ventnor Botanic Garden and that you will perhaps visit when you are next on the island. You will not be disappointed, I'm sure!
See you soon!
For details of other Isle of Wight attractions simply click on the following link .....
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