University of Bristol Botanic Garden
The Holmes
Stoke Park Road
Stoke Bishop
Bristol
BS9 1JG
Please see details below on visiting the Garden by bike, bus, car or coach.
By bike
We have 3 sets of bike racks at the Garden: beside the front gates, behind the Welcome Lodge, and by the toilets.
By bus
From Bristol city centre:
Take the number 4 to Stoke Bishop.
Get off at Downleaze [Stop ID: bstpdtw]. The Garden is approximately a five-minute walk. Please note the first part of the path from the Downleaze bus stop is grass/bare soil. In wet weather, or if you have mobility difficulties, you may wish to choose another route.
There are 2 route 4 buses an hour.
Alternatively, take the number 1, 2, 2a, 3, 77, 505, or Y5.
Get off at Black Boy Hill [Stop ID: bstdatw]. The Garden is approximately a 10-15 minute walk.
There are at least 10 of these buses an hour from the city centre during our opening hours.
From Bristol Temple Meads train station:
Take the number 1, 2 or 2a.
Get off at Black Boy Hill [Stop ID: bstdatw]. The Garden is approximately a 10-15 minute walk.
There are 7-8 buses an hour from Temple Meads during our opening hours.
Other routes:
There are bus other routes and alighting stop options with shorter walking times – they have not been reccomended above as they involve:
- walking routes with more difficult traffic crossings or extensive unpaved grass/earth paths (alight routes 1, 2, 2a, 3 or Y6 at either Durdham Park [crossing the Downs] or after the roundabout [bare earth paths])
- a steep hill and a bus that operate during term-time only (U1, alighting at Stoke Bishop and walking up the hill through the University campus)
- walking routes that don’t always show up on mapping apps (alight route 3 or U1 at Wills Hall and cross the University campus).
Check your favourite mapping app or website for routes and bus times.
By car
Parking:
Parking is extremely limited at the Botanic Garden.
Blue Badge holders and those with restricted mobility can park in walled garden car park.
All other drivers should park in the local area, such as on Stoke Park Road or around the Downs (5 hours free parking – check posted parking restrictions for more information).
From the city centre:
Head north on Whiteladies Road/A4018.
At the Blackboy Hill traffic lights continue onto Stoke Road then Stoke Hill.
Stoke Park Road is the first main turning on the right.
From the M5:
Exit at junction 17 (Cribbs Causeway)
Take the A4018 following signs for City Centre and Zoo until you reach the Downs.
Take the third exit onto Parry’s Lane at the first roundabout on Downs (White Tree Roundabout), in the direction of Shirehampton.
Take the first left onto Saville Road.
Turn right onto Stoke Hill.
Stoke Park Road is the first main turning on the right.
From the M4/M32:
Exit at junction 19.
Take the M32 to Newfoundland St/A4032 in Bristol.
Continue on A4032.
At St James Barton Roundabout/The Bearpit take the second exit onto Marlborough Street/B4051.
Turn right onto St Michael’s Hill.
At the roundabout, continue straight onto Hampton Road.
Turn left onto Redland Park.
Turn right onto Whiteladies Road/A4018.
Continue onto Stoke Road then Stoke Hill.
Stoke Park Road is the first main turning on the right.
By coach
Coach parking is available on the Downs at Parry’s Lane. Visitors may be dropped off outside the Garden gates on Stoke Park Road.