Frequently Asked Questions

Tickets can be easily purchased on arrival at our visitor reception. Alternatively, you can pre-book to visit on a specific date via the University Box Office.

Yes, on most days, providing you produce a valid HHA membership card. Special event days may incur a charge – please contact us for details. Please note that HHA cards are not applicable when visiting as a group.

Yes, as an RHS partner garden we allow entry Monday – Wednesday with a valid card, which entitles entry to one person for free. Please note that RHS cards are not applicable when visiting as a group.

No, Winterbourne is owned and operated by University of Birmingham. National Trust and English Heritage members do not get free admission to Winterbourne.

No, a carer admission is free when the person they are caring for purchases an admission ticket. If you have a council ID card showing your status as a carer, please bring that along. For select ticketed events, we are able to provide tickets for carers either for free or on a reduced basis where food or other refreshments may make up a percentage of the cost. Please contact us about a ticketed event where you need a carers place.

A valid Winterbourne admission ticket or membership is required to access Edgbaston Pool during our opening hours. The woodland access and pool are owned by Edgbaston Golf Club, and on occasion, access may be restricted for them to carry out tree and maintenance works. This is beyond our control; you may wish to call in advance of your visit should be coming to specifically view the pool. As the woodland and pool are owned and managed by Edgbaston Golf Club, visitors enter these areas at their own risk.

Groups visiting Winterbourne can pre-book tours of the garden (minimum 15 people). We also offer pre-booked seasonal garden tours (tickets required). We do not usually offer guided tours of the house, feel free to explore the space yourselves.

Yes, we can accommodate pre-booked groups of up to 53 and offer either guided tours or regular admission. For more information or to book, email us at [email protected] or call on 0121 414 9113.

Most areas of the site are accessible to those who require disabled access. We have a lift in the house to view the upper exhibition rooms, accessible toilets in the house, and most of the garden is accessible. Mobility scooters are available to hire free of charge to use in the garden on a first come first served basis, we also have a wheelchair available in reception. Find out more about our accessibility.

No, unfortunately we do not have the facilities to store personal bags or luggage. You must be prepared to always keep them with you during your visit.

Yes, there are spaces in front of the house, including 3 blue badge parking spaces and a car park for about 55 more vehicles. On event days the car park gets very full, and overflow parking is usually in operation. There is a multi-storey car park, roughly a 5-minute walk from Winterbourne on Pritchatts Drive where standard University of Birmingham campus parking charges apply.

Coaches may drop off and pick up passengers from Winterbourne’s driveway.

Winterbourne remains open regardless of rain, and the garden is only closed in the event of severe dangerous weather. Our outdoor events also go ahead regardless of rain, and refunds will not be granted if you choose not to attend due to the weather. Read our outdoor events policy for more information.

We allow access for assistance dogs only.

Unfortunately, our paths aren’t suitable for riding bikes, scooters or e-scooters, and they are not permitted in the garden. There are bike racks outside our main entrance, where you can secure bikes and scooters, or you may be requested to leave them in our visitor reception.

Yes, we have a dedicated private baby change and feed room in the house, and a drop-down changing table in the courtyard toilets.

We have a collection policy for items that we are looking to hold, and it’s worth getting in touch with our Curator to see if the item you have meets our criteria. Please email [email protected] with photos and a description, and our Curator will get back to you.

The Terrace Tea Room offers hot and cold drinks, cakes, and light lunches. View our current menu.

Unfortunately, due to the small size of the room, we’re unable to reserve tables but all walk-ins are welcome.

No. The tea room is a part of the visitor experience and admission charges apply.

We welcome students and visitors to use the site to study or work, but tables in the tea room or on the terrace are reserved for those purchasing food and drink from the Terrace Tea Room. You are welcome to use benches situated around the garden.

You may bring a picnic and are welcome to use one of the many benches located throughout the garden. We are unable to accommodate picnics on the terrace seating as this is reserved for tea room customers only. Please take your rubbish home with you.

You are welcome to take photos of our garden and around the house, but please be mindful of other visitors.

Please refer to our admissions and visitor information page for guidance on holding a photoshoot here at Winterbourne. Both personal and commercial photoshoots are permitted in the garden but must be pre-booked. Photoshoots are not permitted in the house.

The use of drones is not permitted at Winterbourne, or anywhere on University of Birmingham campus.

As we are open seven days a week to the public, we are unable to hold weddings, and due to the small size of our rooms, we are unable to cater for wedding parties. Find out more about other venues at University of Birmingham that do cater for weddings. We can, however, provide a backdrop for wedding photographs.

No, we do not have bookable conference rooms, meaning we are unable to facilitate meetings and conferences. For bookings at other nearby locations, contact the University of Birmingham conference team.