The whole experience is definitely worth seeing.

When we came back to the gardens, we went into the greenhouses. We can only say, wow!

The greenhouses are where they have plants from hot countries.

There are giant cactus plants from the desert and also many other tropical plants. They have this large pond which have giant lily pads on the surface which look dramatic. They are massive. You just have to see these. They are so large you wonder if you could walk on them. We didn't, I hasten to add.

They also have a pond full of large orange and yellow Koi Carp. They are amazing.

If you like creepy crawlies, they have insects including giant black centipedes (we think) and there's a tarantula. It's ok though. They are behind a screen.

The best part in the greenhouse, for us, was the area that's literally like a rainforest. There is a button you can press which makes what looks like real misty rain. It looks spectacular. It's like being in a real rainforest. All these strange looking plants. The misty rain makes it even more real.

Botanical Gardens

Durham University

This is a day out you just have to go on.

This place is more than a garden, which is fabulous. There are beautiful walks where there are various sculptures. The main thing for us were the greenhouses. You just have to go in there. It also has wheelchair access.

There are plants you wouldn't get to see unless you went to a tropical country like, Brazil, Peru or the tropical rainforests.

When we arrived we easily found parking and then went into the visitor centre. Connected to this is the cafe where we got a hot drink. From there, you go through a door into the gardens. What a beautiful sight. There is a pond with a water feature surrounded by all sorts of flowers and plants. Next to the pond there is also a large boot.

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Also, near the pond are the greenhouses. We didn't go in there yet. We did that at the end of our day there. Past the gardens, we followed a path that took us through more plants and flowers and a beautiful stream. The walk is really enjoyable.

Our opinion

This is definitely a place you want to go to. You'll enjoy it. If you have children, they will too.

What made the place even better were the many sculptures throughout the gardens. You discover each one as you walk round.

There is what I would describe as a totem pole. It's known as the Vessels of Life. There's a giant bug sculpture and three mushroom sculptures large enough to sit on. We didn't sit on them as it had been raining. We didn't want a wet bum.

There is also a sculpture of giant mushrooms. Two giant mushrooms stand either side of the path. They are ten feet tall. They call it the Fungate and it marks the entrance to the woodland walk.

There are also other sculptures to find when you're there. This turns it into a bit of a sculpture hunt.