Parks and Gardens
Famous for its silver granite buildings that shimmer behind the tall tress and endless rows of flowers it's no wonder that Aberdeen has won the Royal Horticulture Society Britain in Bloom Competition an impressive ten times. Only last year, 2009, Aberdeen won the Beautiful Scotland city award along with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Trophy and the Best Floral Displays Award in the Communities in Bloom competition.
Whether you’re a jogger, a reader or a twenty-minute-lunch time-eater there are a number of parks or gardens for you to enjoy within easy reach of each of Skene House HotelSuites’ locations. There are six City Parks and 7 Local Parks. The selection below is of the City Parks, which are large and house many and varied activities and features and a few of the smaller local parks which are conveniently located for Skene House HotelSuites.
Parks are listed in alphabetical order. Approximate walking and driving times are given plus there is a link to First Bus for bus information. Links are given to web pages that contain more information on each park plus maps and opening times.
- Beach/Queens Links
- Duthie Park
- Hazlehead Park
- Johnstone Gardens
- Seaton Park
- Victoria Park
- Westburn Park
- Union Terrace Gardens
Private Gardens
There is a wide variety of town and country private gardens open from late spring to early autumn as part of Scotland’s Open Gardens Scheme. A small admission fee is charged and there is usually the opportunity to buy refreshments throughout the day. All proceeds go to charity.
For more information: www.gardensofscotland.org for more information.
Beach Boulevard/Beach Esplanade
On foot: 40 mins SHR and SHW, 50 mins SHH
By car: 10 mins SHR and SHW, 15 mins SHH
Aberdeen Beach is a well-loved and extremely popular recreational area of the city. The park forms the whole open space along the sea front, it includes the beach itself, golf course, football pitches and large open spaces along with a bowling green.
There are toilets in this area.
The area is also well provided with sporting and recreational facilities, including the Beach Leisure Centre and the Linx Ice Arena, cafes, restaurants and a fun fair. In recent years the beach area has seen the addition of a multiplex cinema, a nightclub and other attractions.
Opening Times: this area is not enclosed.
Duthie Park including the Winter Gardens – Polmuir Road
On foot - 20 mins SHH, 35 mins SHR and SHW
By car - between 5 and 10 mins
By bus -
Its 44 acres sit just outwith the city centre and while popular with joggers it is even more so for those with a bit more time to enjoy their surroundings. The park has cricket on the lawns, bands in the park in summer, two children’s play areas and boating ponds.
Duthie Park can also boast that it has the most-visited indoor tourist attraction in Scotland – the famous David Welch Winter Gardens which houses a collection of exotic plants from around the world, a stunning Japanese garden and the largest collection of cacti in Britain.
A cafe with toilets and toilets can be found within the Winter Gardens.
Opening Times: Duthie Park - 8.00am until 1 hour before dusk. Winter Gardens - 9.30am to 6.30pm in the summer and 9.30am to 3.30pm in the winter.
Hazlehead Park
Hazlehead Avenue
On foot – 45 mins SHH and 55/60 SHR and SHW
By car – 5 mins SHH, 10 mins SHR and SHW
Hazlehead Park location map
This park is incredibly popular with families as it has something for all ages. The 180 hectares includes: a pets’ corner, golf course, pitch and putt, large children's play area including wooden fort, football pitches and a maze. For those looking for something more horticultural there are two rose gardens, azalea and rhododendron borders and heather beds. Hazlehead Park also has a programme of seasonal attractions
The park also has a café and toilets.
Opening Times: 8.00am until 1 hour before dusk. The pets corner is open 10.00am to 6.00pm in the summer time and 10.00am to 3.00pm in the winter time.
Johnstone Gardens – Viewfield Road
On foot - 30 mins SHH, 40 min SHR and SHW
By car – 5 mins SHH, 10 mins SHR and SHW
By bus -
Johnstone Gardens location map
The one hectare garden is a beautiful and tranquil woodland garden environment full of streams, waterfalls, ponds, and rockeries. This picturesque garden is situated in the west end of the city and is a great place to take stunning photographs. There is a children's play area.
There are also toilets on site.
Opening Times: 8.00am until 1 hour before dusk.
Seaton Park – Bridge of Don
On foot – not advised!
By car – SHH 25 mins, SHR and SHW 15 mins
The 27-hectare park lies to the north of the city and was purchased from the Hay family in 1947. There are many fine areas in the park from the flowerbeds to the rose beds and the walled garden. The Cathedral Walk is “a resplendent sight in midsummer” and one of the most popular with visitors to the city.
The park has a children's play area, large open spaces, a formal garden and a fountain..
There is a toilet in the park.
Opening Times: This park is open at all times.
Union Terrace Gardens – Union Terrace
On foot: 5 mins SHR, 7 mins SHW, 10 mins SHH
By car: best to walk as parking is not readily available
Union Terrace location map
This is a one-hectare park and is located right in the heart of the city, to one side of Union Terrace, off the city’s main thoroughfare of Union Street. It is a natural amphitheatre and used for occasional concerts and leisure activities as well as providing an oasis for relaxation in the city centre.
Opening Times: 8.00am until 1 hour before dusk.
Victoria Park
Watson Street
On foot - 5 mins SHH, 7 mins SHR, 20 mins SHH
By car – 5 mins SHH (please feel free to use the car park at SHW)
By bus –
Victoria Park location map
A five-hectare park opened to the public in 1871. It is a beautiful park, full of flowers, shrubs and trees.
Opening Times: This park is open at all times.
Westburn park - Westburn Road
On foot: 5 mins SHH, 7 mins SHR, 20 mins SHH
By car: 5 mins from SHH, guests are invited to use the car park at SHW
Westburn Park location map
A park of 10 hectares, opposite Victoria Park.
This spacious park caters for football, has a children's cycle track and a play area, an excellent grass bowls facility, all weather surface, grass & indoor tennis facilities, 3 bowling greens, a pond, burn and large open grass areas.
Opening Times: The park is open at all times
