Palm Houses: Member and Patron Preview
FAQ's
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What are the Palm Houses Member and Patron Preview Days?
Before the Palm Houses reopen to the public on 2 October, we're inviting members and Patrons to be among the first visitors to experience these remarkable restored spaces.
These exclusive preview days offer a chance to explore the Palm Houses ahead of public opening and help us prepare for welcoming visitors from across Scotland and beyond.
The preview days are exclusively available to current Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh members and Patrons.
All visitors, including members, must book a free timed-entry ticket in advance.
Tickets can be booked online through our booking system.
Once booking opens, members will receive details by email, including a link and instructions to reserve their preferred date and time slot.
Yes. Member Preview Day tickets are free for Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh members and Patrons.
Yes. Please bring your membership card and your booking confirmation when you visit, as these will be requested on arrival.
An individual member can book one adult member ticket and up to four children, as per the terms of your membership.
Joint members can book two adult member tickets and up to four children.
To ensure a comfortable experience for all visitors and to help us manage visitor numbers within the Palm Houses, all visits will operate using timed entry slots.
This is the same system that will be used when the Palm Houses reopen to the public.
Your ticket gives you entry during your chosen arrival slot. Once inside, you are welcome to enjoy the Palm Houses and the wider Garden at your leisure during normal opening hours.
Subject to availability, you may be able to amend or cancel your booking through the booking system. Please refer to your booking confirmation for details. If you have a Digitickets account set up, you will have the option to amend the booking.
The preview days are intended as a member benefit and the previews are reserved for our members and Patrons only.
The Palm Houses will be open and operating as they will be for public visitors from 2 October.
As these preview days form part of our final testing period, you may notice staff monitoring visitor flow, signage and visitor experience.
Our members and Patrons’ support during the restoration of the Palm Houses has been vital, we have worked to enable exclusive early access before the public reopening to express our gratitude.
The preview period also allows us to test our visitor operations before reopening to the public.
We'll be assessing areas such as visitor flow, way-finding, dwell times and ticketing systems, while also giving members an exclusive opportunity to experience the Palm Houses first.
Yes. Following your visit, we'll send a short survey by email and would greatly appreciate your feedback.
Your comments will help us refine the visitor experience ahead of the public reopening.
Participants will also be entered into a prize draw to win a voucher for coffee and cake at the Garden (subject to confirmation).
The Palm Houses are located within the Garden and are subject to the Garden's operational arrangements.
In the event that the Garden must close due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, your preview-day booking will be cancelled.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to transfer bookings to another preview date. Members will instead be able to book a new visit after the Palm Houses reopen to the public on 2 October.
Absolutely. Membership includes free Palm Houses entry after reopening, subject to any ticketing arrangements in place. Please note it will be necessary to book a time slot.
The preview days are simply an opportunity to be among the first to visit before public opening.
Your Palm Houses visit can be combined with a day exploring the Garden, enjoying your 10% discount in our cafés, browsing the shop or discovering seasonal highlights throughout the living collections.
There is always something new to see at the Garden, whatever the season.
If you require a helper please contact the membership office to request a carer card. You can book two member tickets and your card will be on its way to you. You can use the confirmation email from the membership office as proof of carer card on your arrival.
Yes. Accessible routes are available from both the East and West Gates via tarmac pathways. The Palm Houses are accessed via ramps and paved surfaces.
Yes. To avoid disappointment, we recommend booking in advance by emailing Visitorwelcome@rbge.org.uk or calling
+44 131 248 2909.
Yes, you are very welcome to bring your own.