What to see and do

The Centre has an eclectic mix of refurbished old buildings and new architecture, which are the base of our demonstration areas and events with our wildflower areas changing as the season progresses-not a neatly mown lawn in sight!

We're wild about wildflowers, and this is reflected in the way our site is carefully managed, to provide a subtly tended wilderness, awash with the vibrant colours of our native British wildflowers and our seasonal wildlife visitors.

Ragged Robin

Our RIBA award-winning concrete building has an innovative 160 metre long walkway which is home to our rooftop wildflower meadow. From here you can enjoy an aerial view of the centre and look out into the surrounding Court Hey Park.

Court Hey Park was once the gardens of the home of the Gladstone family, the former walled garden of the Gladstone estate is now the working heart of the Centre, home to some of our demonstration areas and our wildflower nursery, where we grow around 60 species of plants which are sold through our shop and around the country via Landlife Wildflowers' mail order catalogue.

Our demonstration areas will give you plenty of ideas, they've been planted to show you the range of places and surfaces where wildflowers will grow, each has been planted using simple combinations of wildflowers that can be copied in your garden or yard. Our Living Wall is a testimony to recycling, our Living Room takes a refreshingly alternative approach to the habitats of wildflowers. We also have three wildlife ponds on site.

Younger visitors are very welcome, children can burn off excess energy in the play area, or there are a variety of indoor activities for children to do and things to see in the Centre's craft and exhibition barn (they do need to be supervised though as there is open water on site), if you prefer calmer activities, then you can borrow one of our gorgeous story bags to read at your leisure while visiting the Centre.

Our Cornflower Cafe is open during Centre opening hours over the Spring and Summer, and week-days only over Autumn and Winter; you don't need to be visiting the Centre to enjoy our wide range of reasonably priced hot and cold snacks, meals and refreshments, all made from locally sourced ingredients.

Our cafe also stocks Fairtrade products - please ask.

Please don't forget to visit our gift shop, which has an extensive range of unusual gifts, cards, wildflower plants and seeds, publications with advice on growing wildflowers and a great range of pocket money toys!

Gift shop

The National Wildflower Centre is fully accessible for people with disabilities and we are constantly working to improve access provision for everyone. A wheelchair and electric buggy are available for visitors to borrow. Our disabled visitors are very welcome to bring a carer to assist them, FREE. - please ask reception staff.

Please Note:

Unfortunately we do not allow dogs on the National Wildflower Centre site. (With the exception of Assistance dogs). Dogs are allowed in Court Hey Park that surrounds the centre.

Please Bee aware that there are beehives on our site!

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