Sefton Park Palm House Celebrates 130 Years

Sefton Park’s iconic Palm House is celebrating a landmark double anniversary this year: 130 years since it first opened and 25 years since its major renovation. A series of special events is planned to mark the occasion.

The historic glasshouse, a gift to the city from philanthropist Henry Yates Thompson in 1896, originally served as an indoor botanical garden. Over time, it fell into disrepair, but a community-led fundraising campaign helped restore it, reopening in 2001 to widespread acclaim.

Kate Johnson, chief executive of the Palm House, explained that the glasshouse traditionally closes each January for extensive plant maintenance, including pruning. “We give the plants a really good tidy-up before the new season,” she said. The Palm House will reopen this weekend, kicking off a year-long programme of activities.

The Grade II-listed building is home to over 70 plant species from around the world, including some of the original specimens planted in 1896. Its collection features 20 types of palm, 23 varieties of orchid, and 35 edible plants.

Johnson highlighted plans to launch a new membership scheme to support the charitable trust that manages the site. “You can now support our future by becoming a member, sponsoring a bench or planter, or donating while you visit or online. Every contribution, big or small, helps us protect the Palm House, care for our unique collection, keep admission free, and continue community events,” she said.

Weddings held at the Palm House also contribute significantly to its upkeep. Johnson noted, “In the last three years alone, weddings here have generated £6 million for Liverpool. The Palm House has been an iconic feature of Sefton Park for 130 years and continues to be a beloved backdrop for the city.”

This year’s anniversary programme includes talks, school and college events, summer evening openings, and a Palm House Festival, running from 6 September – the date of its 2001 reopening – to 5 October, the date it first welcomed the public in 1896. A new café has also opened on-site, adding to the visitor experience.

Kate Martinez, head of visitors and communities, said: “We want to offer a year of events with something for everyone. This programme also celebrates our achievements over the past 25 years, including our recent designation as the only RHS Partner Garden in Liverpool – a recognition we are incredibly proud of.”