Duthie Park and David Welch Winter Gardens
Duthie Park opened in 1883 after it was gifted to the city by Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie in 1880 for the ‘wellbeing and recreation of Aberdeen inhabitants'.
Duthie Park is loved by locals and visitors due to its wonderfully restored Victorian features such as the band stand, fountains, and boating ponds. The park also has an astro turf area for ball games and two other play areas; one for younger children and another for the more adventurous child which has been voted best play space in Scotland. The Park Café is also very popular with visitors.
In the 1900s, the David Welch Winter Gardens was added to the park. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged in 1969 due to extreme gales, so it was demolished and replaced with the building we know and love today.
The ‘Winter Gardens’ now houses one of the most visited public indoor plant collections in Scotland and provides an oasis no matter what time of year it is! The Winter Gardens provides a unique venue for weddings and hosts an annual carol concert every December.
Duthie Park gained Aberdeen's first Green Flag Park Awards in 2013 and has maintained it ever since. The award is granted by Keep Scotland Beautiful and recognises quality green spaces. The park and The Winter Gardens are one of the regular places where Keep Scotland Beautiful and Britain in Bloom judges are taken when they visit Aberdeen for their judging. The city has won a medal in either Britain in Bloom or Beautiful Scotland every year since 2008 and has been award-winning in the competitions since 1964.
The park is a great place for dog walks, picnics, children riding bikes, and visits in all weathers.
Weddings at David Welch Winter Gardens
The Winter Gardens are a unique setting for a wedding service or wedding photos. The Temperate House is a beautiful location for a ceremony with enough room for 70 guests. Find out more about wedding ceremonies and photographic sessions in our parks by visiting Wedding Ceremonies and Photographic Sessions in City Parks.
David Welch Winter Gardens
The David Welch Winter Gardens are open daily (excepting Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Jan 1 and Jan 2):
- 10.30am – 5pm March to October
- 10.30am – 4pm November to February
Duthie Park
Polmuir Road
Aberdeen
Duthie Park Rangers
The Duthie Park Ranger service is based in the old bowling pavilion within the park. They provide a variety of activities for schools and community groups throughout the year. In addition, the service runs workshops for youngsters and adults.
Orienteering at Duthie Park
If you like treasure hunts, nature, the outdoors or running, then you'll love orienteering at Duthie Park. A fun activity for everyone from families, to youth groups, to individuals, orienteering is an excellent all-year-round activity and is especially great for children who love exploring. It may also help regular visitors to the park notice features that they didn't know about, or simply take visitors on a different route for their usual walk or jog.
Choose your course:
Trail guides for Duthie Park
We have produced a free downloadable trail guide including a map which you can use to explore the park's history, art, and attractions.
There is also a Wildlife Trail Map which helps children looking for the hidden 'wildlife' around the park.
Park details
Duthie Park
Polmuir Road
Aberdeen
Duthie Park Location Map
Opening times
Open 24 hours
Toilet: there is a chargeable Automated Public Convenience in the park which is available at all times.
Transport
Bike lock up stands are places located outside David Welch Winter Gardens and beside the Riverside Drive car park.
Bus Information:
- First Bus: routes 17, 18
- Stagecoach: routes X6, X7, X8, 204
Duthie Park alternative parking: Duthie Park is very popular and parking within the park is limited. Here are suggested alternatives if the car park is full.
Friends of Duthie Park
The Friends of Duthie Park is an active community group established to promote and enhance the park. The Friends group were essential in the application and securing of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and continue to work closely with Aberdeen City Council to ensure the continuing high quality of the park. See the Friends of Duthie Park website for more information and find out how you can get involved.
Contact details
Facility Manager
David Welch Winter Gardens
Duthie Park
Polmuir Road
01224 346421
wintergardens@aberdeencity.gov.uk
City Events Team
Enquiries for Events in Duthie Park
First Floor Town House
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AQ
03000 200 292
cityevents@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Environmental Services
Duthie Park Depot Office
Polmuir Avenue
Aberdeen
AB11 7TH
03000 200 292
cleanaberdeen@aberdeencity.gov.uk