One of the absolute must-visit places on Vancouver Island is the very beautiful Butchart Gardens. The gardens receive over 1 million visitors a year who come to admire the colourful display of flowers. Spread over 55 acres they include the Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Star Pond amongst others.
Are you thinking of visiting Butchart Gardens? In this post you will find information to help you to plan your visit to the gardens including answers to these commonly asked questions:
- Where are Butchart Gardens?
- What is the history of the gardens?
- What is there to do and see at Butchart Gardens?
- When is the firework display at Butchart Gardens?
- How much is admission to Butchart Gardens?
- When is the best time to visit Butchart Gardens?
- What food and drink is available at Butchart Gardens?
- How much time do you need at Butchart Gardens?
- How can I travel to Butchart Gardens from Victoria?
Thinking of visiting Butchart Gardens on a day trip from Vancouver? There are numerous excellent tours available including this 13-hour tour of Victoria and Butchart Gardens with a Gulf Islands Cruise or this tour to Butchart Gardens by Seaplane and Speedboat.
- TOURS 7 TICKETS QUICK PICKS
- WHERE ARE BUTCHART GARDENS LOCATED?
- THE HISTORY OF BUTCHART GARDENS
- WHAT IS THERE TO SEE AT BUTCHART GARDENS
- WHEN IS THE FIREWORK DISPLAY AT BUTCHART GARDENS
- HOW MUCH IS ADMISSION TO BUTCHART GARDENS?
- WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BUTCHART GARDENS?
- HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED AT BUTCHART GARDENS?
- WHAT FOOD AND DRINK IS AVAILABLE AT BUTCHART GARDENS?
- HOW TO GET TO BUTCHART GARDENS FROM VICTORIA
- ARE THERE BUTCHART GARDENS TOURS FROM VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER?
- Enjoy your trip to Butchart Gardens
TOURS 7 TICKETS QUICK PICKS
| TOUR | CLICK TO BUY | FROM |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria, Gulf Islands Cruise, & Butchart Gardens | CLICK TO BUY | Vancouver |
| Butchart Gardens & Victoria Sightseeing Tour | CLICK TO BUY | Vancouver |
| Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane from Vancouver | CLICK TO BUY | Vancouver |
| Full-Day Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour | CLICK TO BUY | Vancouver |
| Victoria & Butchart Gardens Christmas Tour | CLICK TO BUY | Vancouver |
| The Butchart Gardens Tour | CLICK TO BUY | Victoria |
WHERE ARE BUTCHART GARDENS LOCATED?
Butchart gardens are situated 23 km north of Victoria on Vancouver Island, BC Canada.
THE HISTORY OF BUTCHART GARDENS
The gardens were the idea of Jennie Butchart who (over 100 years ago) decided to design a flower garden in what was then an abandoned quarry.
Her husband was a wealthy businessman who owned a cement plant on the island and the quarry had provided limestone to the business. Her vision and creativity led to the creation of what are now one of the most beautiful floral show gardens in the world.
WHAT IS THERE TO SEE AT BUTCHART GARDENS
As well as beautiful flower displays there are numerous gardens to visit across the 55 acres. The sunken garden is perhaps the most iconic of the gardens at Butchart. Enjoy a few moments admiring the view before descending into a garden filled with flowers, trees, shrubs and lawns.
If you are visiting the gardens between June and August head to the beautiful rose garden and enjoy the sight and smell of hundreds of roses. Take a picture under the Rose Arch.
The Japanese garden features lush greenery and is a tranquil setting to enjoy a few moments before heading to the Star Pond. The Pond is surrounded by beautiful flowers and in the centre you can find the frog fountain.
The Italian and Mediterranean gardens are not to be missed and stunning plants and displays.
If you are visiting the gardens in winter the former residence of the Butchart family is opened for visitors. Each room tells the story of the family and the creation of the gardens from the former quarry. In the summer there is a display which gives an insight into the history of the gardens too but the house is not open for visitors.
In Spring don’t miss the Spring Prelude Garden which features daffodils and tulips intermingled with tropical plants and orchids.
WHEN IS THE FIREWORK DISPLAY AT BUTCHART GARDENS
The firework display is held every Saturday night during the summer months. These are very popular so if you plan to park at the gardens head there early to ensure you get a space.
Take a blanket to sit on and make sure to get a seat on firework lawn before the show starts as it becomes very full!
I would suggest visiting the gardens, having something to eat (High Tea) then heading over to the Concert Lawn for some live entertainment before moving over to the Firework lawn prior to the show.
The fireworks only start when it is dark which can be after 10 pm in the summer months so again check on the website for anticipated times.
READ MORE – THINGS TO DO ON VANCOUVER ISLAND
HOW MUCH IS ADMISSION TO BUTCHART GARDENS?
Rates vary depending on the time of year that you are visiting. In the summer months the ticket also includes access to the entertainment and fireworks (only on Saturdays).
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BUTCHART GARDENS?
Butchart Gardens offers a variety of options depending on the season in which you visit.
Spring– Enjoy the sight of thousands of flowering bulbs, shrubs and trees coming to life after the winter months.
Summer – Fireworks! Yes over the summer months enjoy the wonderful firework display choreographed to music. Night Illuminations light up the gardens and every night in July and August enjoy the sounds of live entertainment on the outdoor stage on the Concert Lawn.
Autumn – Enjoy the sight of beautiful colours from the maples as they change to red over the autumn months. Greenhouse tours are also available during November.
Winter – The former home of the Butchart family opens for visitors. Visit the Spring Prelude Garden.
Christmas – A magical time of year to visit Butchart with colourful light displays, carols and ice skating to get you in the festive spirit. Why not book a Christmas tour of the gardens?
READ MORE – TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN VICTORIA CANADA
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED AT BUTCHART GARDENS?
I would devote at least 4 hours to visit the gardens with additional time to enjoy the entertainment and firework display in the summer. This will give you enough time to enjoy everything Butchart has to offer.
WHAT FOOD AND DRINK IS AVAILABLE AT BUTCHART GARDENS?
There are a number of options for refreshments at Butchart Gardens including the following
- The Dining Room – the formal option at Butchart encourages bookings with opening times depending on the season so do check on the website.
- The Blue Poppy Restaurant – only open in the summer months this restaurant doubles up as an indoor garden in the winter. This offers more casual dining with no reservations necessary.
- Coffeeshop – for warming drinks in winter and cool drinks in summer this is the place to stop off after your tour of the gardens.
- Seasonal snacks are also available at Butchart Gardens including a gelateria, popcorn cart, coffee shop cart, and gourmet picnics in the summer months.
- Recommended – experience High Tea whilst at Butchart Gardens. Consisting of savoury tea sandwiches, scone with jam and cream, traditional warm delicacies, house-made sweets and a selection of loose teas to choose from reservations are essential. The menu also changes seasonally so do check on the website for the exact menu availability.
HOW TO GET TO BUTCHART GARDENS FROM VICTORIA
FROM DOWNTOWN VICTORIA
By car – 22 minutes via Patricia Bay Hwy/BC-17 or 25 minutes via Interurban Road
– Bus 75 from Douglas at Pandora
ARE THERE BUTCHART GARDENS TOURS FROM VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER?
If you prefer a tour to get you to the gardens I recommend these ones from Get Your Guide.
Butchart Gardens Tour from Victoria
The perfect option if you prefer to travel from Victoria with a tour and avoid hiring a car or taking a public bus. This 3 and a half hour tour to Butchart Gardens from Victoria includes a return coach trip and entrance to the gardens.
Victoria & Butchard Gardens Private Tour from Vancouver
Visit Victoria with a local guide in private luxury vehicle at a leisurely pace. Enjoy a 1.5-hour ferry ride through the spectacular Gulf Islands, be amazed by Butchart Gardens. Explore, discover, and learn about Victoria’s history and places of interest.
The Butchart Gardens Holiday Lights Tour
Enjoy the festive atmosphere at Butchart Gardens on this 3 and a half hour tour from Victoria.
Enjoy your trip to Butchart Gardens
I am sure you will enjoy your visit to Butchart Gardens whenever you go – it really has so much to offer during every season.
It was certainly one of the highlights of our trip to Vancouver Island and I highly recommend visiting even if it is on a day trip from Vancouver.
You can find out more to do in Victoria – the capital of British Colombia and the largest city on Vancouver Island – in my guide to the top 10 things to do in Victoria.
You can also read more about Vancouver in my essential 3 day itinerary as well as the best things to do in Vancouver in summer.
Thinking of moving to Canada? Check out my selection of the best non-fiction books to read before you go!