The Garden of Cosmic Speculation Open Days 2024
Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 May 2024

We are delighted to welcome you to visit The Garden of Cosmic Speculation again this year and are, once again, excited to be back with our May opening.

Before booking, please read and note the following carefully:

     TICKETS & PARKING

•  Visitors may only enter with a pre-booked ticket, including a car parking ticket.  Please do not turn up without booking as parking is extremely limited and we would hate to turn you away.

• Ticket prices:
  - Driver & Car Park Ticket - £17
  - Adult ticket (non-driver) - £15 (where no car parking is required; e.g. travelling with a driver with car park ticket; cycling or taxi)
  - Child under 16yrs - free admission (must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult at all times, please.)

• There are two time slots available: 10am - 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. We ask that you only come in the time slot that you booked and that if you are coming in the morning, that you leave the garden by 1pm to allow us to prepare for the afternoon visitors.  Likewise if you are coming for the 2pm slot, please do not arrive early.  Thank you for your cooperation.

• Getting there: please note that the garden is in a rural area and it’s a very long walk from the nearest public transport links. Taxi from Dumfries station is possible but we recommend you contact a local cab company well in advance to make sure they can accommodate you. Cyclists are welcome (no car park ticket required!).

• Car parking tickets are for cars only; unfortunately we cannot admit larger vehicles such as long wheel-base camper vans or buses parking in the site. This is because exit from the site is through a low, narrow, arched railway bridge (3 metres at the highest point of the arch, 4.5m at widest point) and you could get stuck or damage your vehicle. Please note that parking is in a grassy field, not on hard standing.
  
  GARDEN UPDATES & AREAS WITH REDUCED ACCESS - PLEASE NOTE

• There is currently extensive building work in progress at Portrack House which means there is reduced access to the area around the property as the site is fully fenced off for safety. As a result, two of the artworks/installations in the garden are not accessible: the Symmetry Break Terrace and the Black Hole Terrace.

• Please be aware that the garden is undergoing remedial and renovation work, especially in the areas known as the DNA Garden and around the Universe Cascade. We apologise in advance and ask you to be aware of this so that you are not disappointed. There are new areas of planting and design details for you to enjoy.

  ENTERTAINMENT, REFRESHMENTS & DOGS

• There will be refreshments sold as you go into the garden this year so teas, coffees and light snacks will be available.

• We are delighted to be welcoming members of the Dumfries Music Collective who will be performing works inspired by the garden at various points in the weekend.

• Dogs on short leads are welcome but please take your poo bags away with you.

  ACCESSIBILITY & TOILETS

• Toilets are portaloos and will be available in the car parking field, not in the garden itself.

• Disabled access is unfortunately very limited as we only have parking available in a field.  We are also unable to provide disabled toilets this time. Unfortunately the garden is not accessible for wheelchair users.

• Pushchairs are also not very easy to manoeuvre on the grassy surfaces.

• Access may be muddy and is uneven on grass so please do remember to wear sturdy, waterproof shoes and dress for the weather.

  And finally

• Ticket(s) may not be resold, are strictly non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. The garden reserves the right to refuse admission to any ticket holder and in the interest of the public and for safety reasons, we also reserve the right to request guests to leave the garden at any time.
  
  Please make sure you’ve read all the information above before you book.

  CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOKING PAGE & WAIT LIST   

  When you’ve booked your tickets via the link above, you will receive your tickets immediately via email (do check your spam!) Then a week prior to the event, you will receive an email with a link to directions, map and any updates.

  If you have questions, please email info@scotlandsgardens.org