Take a short stroll down the winding, leafy paths of Edgbaston and you’ll find something quietly magical. Tucked behind wrought iron gates and Victorian glasshouses is a place where time slows, nature whispers, and passion for plants blooms daily: the iconic Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

For Beth, this haven has become more than a workplace. It’s become home.
 


From Northumberland fields to city canopies

Beth grew up with the rolling fields and wind-swept hills of Northumberland as her backdrop - skies that seemed to stretch forever, sheep-dotted pastures, and the slow rhythm of rural life. So when she moved to Birmingham in 2023 to become a Senior Nursery Horticulturist at the Botanical Gardens, she braced herself for a concrete jungle.

What she found instead surprised her.

“Birmingham is so much greener than I expected,” she says, eyes lighting up. “The amount of parks, street trees, and cared-for green spaces - it’s incredibly special.”

Where others might see traffic and towers, she saw treetops and trails.

“In Yorkshire, it was all farmland - crops, fields, agriculture,” she says. “But here, the green space is diverse. Wildflower meadows. Woodland edges. Urban wetlands. It’s green, but it’s alive in a different way.”
 


A living legacy

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens have stood proud for nearly two centuries - a 15-acre sanctuary housing over 10,000 plants. Generations of schoolchildren, plant lovers, and researchers have passed through its gates. Now, Beth is one of its stewards.

But for her, it’s not just the rare orchids or towering ferns that make the Gardens special.

“I probably enjoy the people the most,” she smiles. “Every morning, I walk in and there’s this positive energy - a team that really cares. It’s a place where people love what they do. You feel that.”

There’s joy in the quiet rituals of her day: early morning greenhouse checks, chatting with volunteers over tea, or watching a child press their nose to the glass of a butterfly-winged plant they’ve never seen before. For Beth, every day is a mix of science, community, and a little bit of magic.
 


Beyond the gardens: Beth’s top walks in the West Midlands

When she’s not nurturing seedlings or curating the nursery’s rare collections, Beth explores the wider green fabric of the West Midlands - a patchwork of parks, nature reserves and heritage gardens that surprise and delight her still.

Here are her top picks for a long walk and a moment of stillness:

  • Kings Norton Nature Reserve – “It’s this hidden gem. Woodlands, ponds, and not many people. Great for birdwatching.”
     
  • Lickey Hills Country Park – “If you’re craving a proper hill and a big sky, this is the place. The views over Birmingham are unbeatable.”
     
  • Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens – “It feels like stepping into a time capsule. So well-kept, and the heritage planting is just beautiful.”
     


Rooted in the city, growing with purpose

Beth’s story is part of something bigger - a growing movement of green-minded people bringing their passion and purpose into urban spaces. In a time of climate change, loss of biodiversity, and digital burnout, the Botanical Gardens offer more than beauty. They offer hope, education, and connection.

“I didn’t expect to fall in love with a city,” Beth says softly, “but I did. Birmingham just feels alive. And green. And kind.”

So next time you wander through Edgbaston and catch the scent of damp soil, jasmine or eucalyptus in the air, remember - this city isn’t just surviving. It’s thriving. And people like Beth are helping it grow.
 


Plan your visit

Explore the 15-acre site, walk through four historic glasshouses, and meet the dedicated team behind the blooms. Whether you're a seasoned botanist or a casual stroller, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a living, breathing part of the city that welcomes everyone - roots and all.