The Ventnor Botanic Garden Community Interest Company (VBG CIC) is canvassing Friends of the Botanic Garden on proposed entry fees.
Readers will remember the likelihood of the CIC having to charge an entry fee once the attraction was out of council hands was announced back in March.
We understand the transfer of leasehold from the council to the CIC, which was due to take place in April, is now imminent.
Annual entry for £1 a week
A draft structure for entry/parking has been sent to Friends, who are being asked to feedback their comments by Sunday 17th June.
The reaction that VB has had from those who have seen the prices, which are based on comparable gardens and tourist attractions, is that they seem pretty reasonable.
If you’re a regular visitor to the Garden, the best value seems to be to become a Friend (and why wouldn’t you with annual membership just £15).
The annual season card for Friends is £37, which means when you add your membership fee, it works out at just £1 a week.
By going down this route, you’ll be supporting the work of the Friends, the CIC and able to make use of the Garden for 365 days.
Daily tickets
For those making one-off visits, the entry price, which includes parking and any tours, films and talks is £5 per person, with a £12 family ticket for a family of three or more.
A full range of prices is detailed below, with monthly options, gift cards, parking only etc.
Friends are invited to give feedback by 17th June to [email protected]
We’re sure that the CIC would find it very useful to hear the constructive feedback from VB readers too if you want to leave a comment below.
| Type of entry | Price | Description |
| Adult | £5 | Includes parking and day’s Tours, Films, and Talks |
| Family | £12 | 3 or more from one family (yes, grandparents too.) |
| Children under 6 | Free | |
| Children | £3 | Ages 6 to 16 includes VBG Children’s Pack |
| Students | £3 | In full time education |
| Specials | Half price | |
| Carers | Free | Registered, full time, one-to-one helpers/carers |
| VBG Volunteers | Free | We love our volunteers! |
| VBG Friends Society Membership Fee | £15 | Join us. Take part in shaping the garden’s future. |
| Friends Annual Pass | £37 | Only for our Friends |
| £52 | Unlimited Annual Garden Entry for Friends: £1/day! | |
| Friends Guest Pass | £3.5 | Accompanied by VBG Friend |
| Green Travel | £3.5 | You arrived by foot, bicycle, or bus |
| Groups /Coaches(>10 people) | £4 | If you booked in advance |
| School Visits | £1 | Bring a Parent for Free |
| Creche | Please enquire | We worry, so you can enjoy the garden… (Ages 3-6) |
| Kid Zone | Please enquire | Leave ‘em with us through lunch (Ages 8-11) |
| IoW Residents Monthly Entry | £14 | |
| Two Week Pass | £18 | For Overners (we think they mean visitors. Ed) |
| Gift Pass | £35 | A book of Ten Entry Passes to share |
| “Grow With UsSM” Course Entry | Free | |
| Cafe, Shop and Plant Sales Entry Only | Free | |
| Parking only | £5 | Steephill Cove Visitors |
| 6 Month Parking Ticket | £30 | Members of Ventnor Cricket Club only |
Image: Andy Buckland under CC BY 2.0
