About


Welcome to the garden

The garden is open to the public all year for lunchtime relaxation, school educational sessions, occasional theatre, installations, recitals and concerts.

Whether you have a keen interest in plants or are just looking for a nice place to have a picnic you are welcome to visit the garden.

Opening Times

The garden is open to the public all year (except 25 December):
  • April to October - 10.00am to 5.30pm
  • November to March - 10.00am to 5.00pm

Free Entry

Entry to the Porter's Garden, the Historic Dockyard itself, and the shops and restaurant, is free (except on occasional days) though you will need to obtain a 'site pass' ticket from the visitor's centre.

If you want to visit the many other attractions in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard you will need to buy a ticket. To check that entry is free on the day you wish to visit please call:
  • Mon-Fri 9-5 : 023 9286 1533 (Flagship Portsmouth Trust Administration)
  • Saturday/Sunday : 023 9272 2562 (Visitor Centre)

Location & How to get to The Porter's Garden

The Porter's Garden is situated on the right just inside Victory Gate of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, at the corner of Queen Street and the Hard, map which is a five minute walk from Portsmouth Harbour rail station, the bus station at the Hard and Gosport Ferry.

How to get to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (for Porter's Garden)

Objectives

To recreate the historical, educational and recreational value of the Porter's Garden, to create a garden which is relaxing for dockyard personnel and visitors, accessible to the local community, with an intimate atmosphere, and link Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with outside communities.

Friends of The Porter's Garden

The gardens are maintained by a group of loyal volunteers - "Friends of Porter's Garden" ("Friends"). If you are visiting the garden on a Wednesday, or the first weekend of the month you might see them working away.

Join us / Help us

If you are interested in becoming a Friend of the Porter's Garden, volunteering in the garden, or would like to donate plants please let us know by using this form.

Plant sales

We sell a variety of plants, much cheaper than you will find at garden centres, from a small display (pictured) next to the Porter's Lodge.

Money raised from the sale of plants goes into maintaining a beautiful garden for the benefit of all.

Plants can be purchased at any time when the dockyard is open. There is an honesty box for donations set into the wall above the plant stand.