Explorers Garden
Explorers Garden
Scotland has produced some of the world’s most successful plant hunters and this truly unique Garden celebrates their contribution to the way our gardens look today.
Conceived as a Theatricum Botanicum, and built in conjunction with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in the late 1990s, the Explorers Garden offers stunning spaces for art performance including the Pagoda, the Pavilion and the Amphitheatre.
The Explorers Garden is home to many rare varieties of meconopsis which bloom in the month of May. We even have our own version that is unique to us, the Himalayan blue Poppy GSG Explorers.
This predominantly woodland garden is a rare opportunity to experience art in nature, in a stunning Highland location and definitely one for your theatre to-do list. The Garden is also available for private events and makes a breath-taking wedding venue.
We sell beautiful seasonal flowers and plants for you to take home. Browse the selection on display by the Theatre entrance.
Follow us –
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Location: from Box Office follow signs to the Garden entrance, it’s a 5-10 minute walk
Open: 1 May – 31 October, Mon – Sat, 10am – 5pm (last entry 4pm)
Price: £5 restoration phase reduced rate, under 12s FREE
Access: some paths may be steep for anyone with a wheelchair, walker or buggy/pram
Dogs on leads are welcome in the Explorers Garden
BOOK NOW – Explorers Garden Entry
Groups and private tours: complete the form or call Box Office 01796 484 626
RHS Members – 1 free ticket per RHS Member. Please book through Box Office.
Events
This year, The Secret Garden and Dido and Aeneas will be on our beautiful Amphitheatre stage.
You will be sitting on wooden bench seating so remember to bring your own cushion. Also – and this is the important one – you are coming to see an outdoor performance in Highland Perthshire so be prepared for all weathers. Waterproofs, midge spray and sun scream are all very handy, and sometimes all needed in one afternoon!
Nepalese Sherpa Village Exhibition
Based in the Pavilion and in the Himalayan section of the garden an exhibition of life and community in a Nepalese village.
14 May – 15 Jun included with your Explorers Garden Entry ticket.
RSPB – chat about birds and nature
The RSPB will be available at the Explorers Garden entrance to chat about birds and nature in the garden.
Date: Sat 1 and 15 June, 10.30am until 3.30pm
Price: FREE
Garden Activities
What’s On
The Secret Garden
Dido and Aeneas
Explorers Garden Entry
Help fund the Explorers Garden
Your support is vital to help the Explorers Garden flourish. We are grateful for all donations however large or small.
Amount to donate: £
Book a Tour
Enjoy an in-depth and guided tour of the Explorers Garden with our Landscape & Garden Manager Caroline Bavey.
“My heart is full of love for the Explorers Garden, and I want to protect it and share it with others. The outdoors is a special place to be.”
Caroline joined our team as Landscape & Garden Manager in 2022. She was part of a team that won a Gold accolade at the prestigious RHS Hampton Court exhibition, which she produced and grew at home in Pitlochry. She not only tends to the plants but is also refurbishing some of the Explorers Garden furniture and structures with prunings to ensure nothing goes to waste!
It is her passion and dedication that is seeing the Explorers Garden being brought back to life so it is ready for you to explore.
Complete the form or call Box Office on 01796 484626 to book.
Find out more
Spotlight on Caroline Bavey
Art in the Explorers Garden
Weddings and Private Events
Contractors
We are grateful for the donation from The Enchanted Forest Community Fund. This has gone towards vital maintenance and the health and safety programme taking place in our Explorers Garden.