St Ann's Well Gardens
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St Ann's Well Gardens

4.6
·810 reviews·Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom

A compact city park offering a sensory garden, playground, and peaceful woodland walks amidst mature trees.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow
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St Ann's Well Gardens

St Ann's Well Gardens

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A compact city park offering a sensory garden, playground, and peaceful woodland walks amidst mature trees.

4.6
(810 reviews)

"Lovely gardens, mature trees. Lovely cafe with food & drinks. Lovely just to sit and enjoy nature."

Vertical photo
TIP

🧺 Bring a Picnic

Cafe prices are high. Pack your own food and enjoy it on a blanket in the lovely gardens.

👟 Comfortable Shoes

Some woodland paths can be uneven. Wear comfy shoes for exploring the different areas.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 810 reviews

Type

Park

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Scented Sensory Garden

Scented Sensory Garden

A delightful escape with fragrant plants designed to engage your senses. Perfect for a peaceful stroll.

Playground Fun

Playground Fun

A vibrant play area for kids, ensuring entertainment for younger visitors. Great for families.

Woodland Walks

Woodland Walks

Explore charming wooded paths surrounded by mature trees, offering a tranquil natural setting.

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Planning Your Visit

Picnic Power-Up

The cafe can be pricey, especially for simple items. Pack a picnic and blanket to enjoy the gardens without breaking the bank. Grab a coffee or ice cream from the cafe if you fancy a treat.

Accessibility Check

While beautiful, some woodland paths have inclines, making them challenging for the elderly or those with mobility issues. Consider sticking to the main, flatter areas if this is a concern.

Best Times

When
Weekdays, mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Crowd
Low
When
Summer afternoons
Why
Enjoy the gardens in full bloom
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Any advice for a mid 40's couple visiting this weekend?

Hi all, We are coming to Brighton for our first time this Friday and staying until Monday to see Kaiser Chiefs on the beach Sunday afternoon. Are there any places you would recommend we visit? Any good places to eat that won't break the bank? We have already been recommended a…

🧺 Bring a Picnic

Cafe prices are high. Pack your own food and enjoy it on a blanket in the lovely gardens. Reddit

👟 Comfortable Shoes

Some woodland paths can be uneven. Wear comfy shoes for exploring the different areas. Reddit

reddit.com

Loud cheering near St Ann's Well gardens?? What is it?

I have no idea hahaha

reddit.com

Need to know some good spots

My boyfriend has been rather stressed lately and I want to take him to a nice spot, I’d love to hear some peoples favourite spots whether it be cafés or parks, anything of the like, please help :)

🐿️ Feed the Squirrels

The squirrels are very friendly and accustomed to visitors. Bring some nuts if you want to make some furry friends! Reddit

🌸 Scented Garden Bliss

Don't miss the sensory garden; it's a unique and calming experience for all ages. Reddit

reddit.com

Favourite activities/places in Brighton?

I’ve been living here for over two years now but I still feel like I haven’t explored Brighton enough. What are your favourite hidden treasures in Brighton, places to go/eat/drink/dance, things to see?

Tips

from all over the internet

🧺 Bring a Picnic

Cafe prices are high. Pack your own food and enjoy it on a blanket in the lovely gardens. Reddit

👟 Comfortable Shoes

Some woodland paths can be uneven. Wear comfy shoes for exploring the different areas. Reddit

🐿️ Feed the Squirrels

The squirrels are very friendly and accustomed to visitors. Bring some nuts if you want to make some furry friends! Reddit

🌸 Scented Garden Bliss

Don't miss the sensory garden; it's a unique and calming experience for all ages. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(810 reviews)

Reviews Summary

St Ann's Well Gardens is a beloved city park praised for its diverse attractions, including a sensory garden and playground. While many enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty, the on-site cafe receives mixed reviews, with some finding it overpriced. Visitors often recommend bringing a picnic to maximize enjoyment and value.

"A nice park to relax and exercise."

Trin Dheandhanoo

"Cafe is still serving take away drinks. Lovely range of hot chocolate 'winter warmers' too. The counter is out doors so it feels pretty safe and the staff are obviously social distancing and taking propw safety measures."

Sam Elfer

"Always a pleasure to spend time here. It would be nice to see a new more benches does along the woodland paths as it's quite difficult for the elderly and infirmed with the inclines.
Despite being small, there are lots of different areas to explore. We enjoyed the scented sensory garden, the newts in the pond, the play park, feeding the many squirrels, watching the tennis. The only problem was the garden Cafe which is a criminal rip off with its£7 for two pieces of bread and one slice of cheap thin bacon. We've been double charged too many times for it to be an incident mistake too.
So bring a picnic and a blanket and just nip to the cafe for the odd coffee or icecream"

bits

What People Like

Beautiful gardens
Playground
Sensory garden

What People Dislike

Expensive cafe

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

St Ann's Well Gardens is easily accessible by public transport in Brighton. Several bus routes stop nearby. If driving, there is limited street parking available in the surrounding residential areas, but it can be competitive. Reddit

Parking directly at the gardens is very limited. Street parking in the surrounding residential streets is the primary option, but be prepared for it to be busy, especially on weekends. Reddit

Yes, cycling is a great option. There are usually places to lock up bikes near the entrances. It's a pleasant ride through Brighton to reach the gardens. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, St Ann's Well Gardens is a public park and entry is free for everyone. You can enjoy the gardens and its facilities without any admission cost. Reddit

The gardens are generally open from dawn until dusk. Specific opening and closing times can vary slightly with the seasons, but it's typically accessible throughout daylight hours. Reddit

While the gardens themselves are free to enter, they do host various events, such as festivals. Information on specific events and booking would be available through local event listings or the Brighton & Hove City Council website. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The gardens offer a playground for children, a scented sensory garden, ponds with newts, mature trees for woodland walks, and a cafe. There are also tennis courts available for use. Reddit

Public toilet facilities are usually available within the gardens, often located near the cafe or playground area. It's advisable to check locally for their current operational status. Reddit

Absolutely! The playground is a major draw for families. The open spaces, friendly squirrels, and ponds also provide plenty of entertainment for children. Reddit

Dogs are generally welcome in St Ann's Well Gardens, but it's always a good idea to keep them on a lead, especially in areas with playgrounds or where people are picnicking, to ensure everyone's comfort. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Reviews for the cafe are mixed. Some praise it for good food and sensible prices, while others find it a 'criminal rip off' for simple items like bacon sandwiches. It's recommended to bring your own picnic. Reddit

While specific menus can change, cafes in public parks often offer a range of options. It's best to check with the cafe directly for their current vegetarian and vegan offerings. Reddit

Yes, picnicking is highly encouraged! There are plenty of grassy areas and benches where you can enjoy your own food. Bringing a blanket is a great idea. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The scented garden offers beautiful close-ups of flowers. The mature trees create lovely dappled light for portraits, and the ponds can provide scenic reflections. Reddit

Yes, with its variety of plants, mature trees, and pond life (like newts), it's a good spot for capturing local flora and fauna. The friendly squirrels are also popular subjects. Reddit

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