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Garden Name: Ventnor Botanic Garden
Last Modified: 27/01/2011
Garden ID: 0328

pic: 0328_Ventnor.jpg

Owner: Alison Earlsbury
Address:
The Undercliffe Drive
Ventnor

Postcode: PO38 1UL
County: Hampshire

tel: 01983-855397
fax: 01983 856756
website: www.botanic.co.uk
email: 

Features: 
Special Collection of Pseudopanax. Totem Pole.
Geographical areas of specialisation include; SW Europe, Southern Africa, New Zealand, North & Central Mexico, Western South America, and Southern South America.

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
(2010 dates) Summer: 1st Mar - 31st Oct; 10am - 5pm
Winter: 1st Nov - 20th Dec; Tues, Wed, Thurs, 10am - 3pm; Sat & Sun; 10am - 4pm
Closed 22nd Dec - 1st Jan
1st Jan - 28th Feb 10; Sats & Suns; 10am - 4pm.

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
June - Aug
Sept

To see: 
Echium Pinana
Cannas

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: No
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Free admission to Gardens.
Small admission charge to Temperate House
Car Park Rates apply.

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Dogs not permitted in Visitor Centre or Temperate House.


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
Ventnor Botanic Garden has been developed on the site of the former Royal National Chest Hospital. Extending over 22 acres, the Garden was opened in 1972; however it was almost destroyed by the infamous storm of 1987. The clear-up operation took nearly two years and much of the garden that you see today has been created in the past decade. 

The Garden takes advantage of the microclimate produced as a result of the protection afforded by the topography of the Undercliff, the moderating influence of the sea, and its southerly aspect. This allows for a wide variety of species to be grown, many too tender for the prevailing winter conditions elsewhere in the UK. 

The Garden also boasts a fine Visitor Centre. Opened in 2000 by Dr. David Bellamy, the Centre has a permanent exhibition entitled 'The Green Planet", explaining man's interaction with plants and their effect on The Earth. 

The Temperate House has recently being undergoing some major re-landscaping and will be open the the public from March 2003. The new House will include a crashing waterfall with some stunning vegetation and plants helping to create a dramatic and dynamic feature.


History: 
The development of a garden at Ventnor goes back to the 19th century when the site was developed as a chest hospital. The founder of the hospital, Arthur Hill Hassall, as well as being a medical man, was also a keen naturalist. With this background, he was well placed to exploit the microclimate of Ventnor, not only for his patients, but also for the development of a garden. He regularly communicated with the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and a wide variety of plants were added to the ornamental areas of the grounds of the hospital. The utilization of the grounds as orchards and vegetable gardens was an integral part of the treatment for the patients, as well as providing a steady supply for the dining table at the hospital.

Local Inns: 
Inn at St. Lawrence
Spyglass Inn

Accomodation: 
The Royal Hotel, Ventnor
Eversleigh Hotel.

Restaurants: 
The Boathouse (Season only)

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Ventnor
Shankin
Ryde