The chosen site for Birmingham Botanical Gardens was an 18-acre area of the Calthorpe estate, named Holly Bank Farm.

Between 1833 and 1927, the gardens hosted annual exhibitions of exotic plants, fruits and flowers, which raised local horticultural expertise.

In 1910 a zoological collection was introduced with the aim of increasing society membership and this included bears, monkeys, seals and alligators.

campaign was announced to restore the octagonal iron bandstand, so it could be used as an all-weather outdoor space for schools and be a platform for music and other events, such as weddings.

[4] On 10 July 2023, a £13m revamp was announced to restore its four glasshouses under the Growing Our Green Heritage after it was awarded almost £600,000 from the National Lottery Hertiage Fund to develop the first phase of the project to due commence in mid-2025 and be completed in 2028, with a further £4.4m available as the programme progresses.

[6] In January 2025, the city council of Birmingham, England approved plans to restore the historic glasshouse estate.

[7] Overall, the character of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is that of a Victorian public park set in 15 acres (6.1 ha) of landscaped greenery.

The Aviary, which was located on the south-east side of the lawn torn down in November 2024, comprised four domed iron flight cages.

At the north-west corner of the lawn stands an octagonal, pierced-work, cast-iron gazebo, which dates to c. 1850 and was moved to the gardens in the mid 1990s.

A Coade stone fountain lies west of the bandstand, which was presented in 1850 and was designed by the Birmingham architect, Charles Edge.

The tropical glasshouse consists of essential crops, such as rice, cocoa, sugar cane and cotton, as well as ornamental and aquatic plants.

[12] The gardens were home to a small collection of exotic birds from around the world including white-cheeked turaco, Himalayan monals, azure-winged magpies and Quaker parakeets.

The majority of the gardens' birds were located in the white-domed aviary building that provided a focal point on the main lawn.

The terrace was the location for the gardens’ parrots, including a sulphur-crested cockatoo named Jenny that entertained visitors with her chatter, and Lionel, a blue macaw.

[18] The gardens serve schools, colleges, nurseries and youth groups in the West Midlands and beyond with outdoor educational visits.