
St Ann's Well Gardens
A compact city park offering a sensory garden, playground, and peaceful woodland walks amidst mature trees.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

St Ann's Well Gardens
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A compact city park offering a sensory garden, playground, and peaceful woodland walks amidst mature trees.
"Lovely gardens, mature trees. Lovely cafe with food & drinks. Lovely just to sit and enjoy nature."

🧺 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.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

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

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

Woodland Walks
Explore charming wooded paths surrounded by mature trees, offering a tranquil natural setting.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Picnic Power-Up
Accessibility Check
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Any advice for a mid 40's couple visiting this weekend?
🧺 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.
Loud cheering near St Ann's Well gardens?? What is it?
Need to know some good spots
🐿️ Feed the Squirrels
The squirrels are very friendly and accustomed to visitors. Bring some nuts if you want to make some furry friends!
🌸 Scented Garden Bliss
Don't miss the sensory garden; it's a unique and calming experience for all ages.
Favourite activities/places in Brighton?
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.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
Some woodland paths can be uneven. Wear comfy shoes for exploring the different areas.
🐿️ Feed the Squirrels
The squirrels are very friendly and accustomed to visitors. Bring some nuts if you want to make some furry friends!
🌸 Scented Garden Bliss
Don't miss the sensory garden; it's a unique and calming experience for all ages.
What Travellers Say
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.
"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
"Went to the kids festival here 2022. Brilliant! Where else do you get everything from live music to face painting, archery to house DJ's, sequined salsa dancers to medieval self defense demonstrations. Food and drink a plenty and local arts and crafts. The most eclectic festival I've ever been to..."
Marcus Thomlinson
What People Like
What People Dislike
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.
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.
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.
🎫 🎫 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.
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.
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.
🎫 🧭 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.
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.
Absolutely! The playground is a major draw for families. The open spaces, friendly squirrels, and ponds also provide plenty of entertainment for children.
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.
🍽️ 🍽️ 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.
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.
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.
📸 📸 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.
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.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's highly recommended to pack a picnic as the on-site cafe can be expensive for family meals. This allows for a more budget-friendly and relaxed dining experience amidst the beautiful surroundings. The open spaces are perfect for running around, making it an ideal destination for a family day out.
🚶♀️ Budget Travelers
You can spend hours exploring the different sections of the garden, from the scented areas to the woodland paths, all without spending a penny. It's a perfect way to experience a slice of Brighton's natural beauty on a shoestring budget.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The St Ann's Well Gardens Cafe: A Tale of Two Reviews
However, a significant number of reviews express dissatisfaction with the cafe's pricing, with one calling it a 'criminal rip off' for items like bacon sandwiches. This suggests a disparity in perceived value. For those on a budget or seeking more substantial meals, bringing a picnic is strongly recommended, with the cafe being a better option for a quick coffee or ice cream.
Despite the cafe's mixed reception, the gardens themselves are consistently praised. The ability to enjoy the natural beauty, playgrounds, and unique sensory garden makes it a worthwhile visit, even if you opt to dine elsewhere.
Navigating the Gardens: Accessibility and Enjoyment
Despite these challenges, the gardens are compact enough to explore a good portion without extensive walking. The presence of benches along some paths offers opportunities for rest. The variety of attractions, including the playground, scented garden, and ponds, ensures there's something for everyone, making it a pleasant outing for most visitors.
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