Gardener Experience

Calling all gardening enthusiasts! We’re offering the exciting opportunity to spend an afternoon learning from our experienced Zoo Gardening Team, and putting your new skills to use in our award-winning botanical gardens.

Experience the pleasure of working in botanical gardens.

Bristol Zoo Gardens are the proud winners of a vast number of respected horticultural awards and this is your chance to learn top tips from our highly trained gardeners, whilst gaining an extra special insight as to how we keep our gardens at a beautifully high standard.

This fantastic package includes:

Free admission to the Zoo for the participant and a guest
A cuppa with our award winning gardening team
The chance to get insight into how we grow and nurture our flowers, plants and trees and apply your new found knowledge at home
Going behind the scenes of one of the oldest and most prestigious Zoos in Europe
A special souvenir
The opportunity to learn about a wide variety of plant species and ask our knowledgeable gardeners all about our gardens and conservation programmes in the UK and worldwide!

Pick from a selection of themed months depending on what interests you the most, ranging from working on our famous Herbaceous Border to assisting with tropical plant displays:

April - Rock Garden

Assist the team with our alpine garden; specifically looking at growing conditions, propagation and plant theming. You’ll also take a trip to our Avon Gorge display at the Clifton Suspension Bridge to work on local plant conservation.

May – Horticulture Taster

Carry out general horticulture tasks depending on the needs of the day. This could include pruning, animal enclosure work, planting, irrigation and during wet weather - indoor plant displays in our Reptile House or Aquarium.

June - Summer Bedding

You’ll be helping our team to plant out and maintain the summer bedding along the top terrace. Learn all about our growing standards, plant designs and colour choices.

July - Summer Plant Up

Work with our team on our tropical plants displays, and learn how to make an exhibit look amazing for both our animals and guests.

August & September - Herbaceous Border

You’ll be working on our famous herbaceous border! Carry out daily maintenance checks and learn how to maintain the plants to make an award-winning display.

By buying a Gardening Experience, not only will it be a day to remember but you will also be contributing to our conservation work both here and around the world, helping to save animals and plants from extinction.

This experience is available to those aged 16 and over.