VIU Milner Gardens and Woodland

Visitor Information

Seasonal Hours 

Month Dates and Hours
January Closed
February - March  Open Fridays and Saturdays, 11am - 3:30pm, beginning February 7, 2025
April - September Open Thursdays - Sundays, 11am - 5pm, beginning April 3, 2025
October Open Fridays and Saturdays, 11am-3:30pm, beginning October 10, 2025
November Closed
December Open for Milner Christmas Magic | December 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 2024

See Special Event Details

Seasonal Admission Rates 

 (Including Tax)

Age Group

Cost

Summer 2025

(April 24 - August 31)

Shoulder 2025

(April 3-20 & September 4-28 & October 24-26)

Winter 2025

(February 7 - March 29 & October 2-18)

Adult $14.00 $10.00 $7.00
Youth (13-18) $8.00 $6.00 $5.00
Children (12 or under) Free Free Free
Members and VIU Students (with cards) Free Free Free

Important Information

  • No pets are permitted on the grounds except for certified guide dogs.
  • Garden admission is cut off 30 minutes before closing. We recommend giving yourself at least one hour in the Gardens.
  • Payment of admission is required to access Milner House, the Camellia Tea Room, the Plant Sales Nursery, and the Pool House Gift Shop.
  • The Welcome Centre accepts cash, debit and credit. Plant Sales, Pool House Gift Shop and Camellia Tea Room take debit/credit only - no cash. AMEX is not accepted anywhere onsite. 
  • The harvesting/cutting of any plant material for consuming, selling or personal use is not permitted. All plants and what they may produce are property of Milner Gardens & Woodland.
  • If you are visiting on a Saturday between May and September, there will likely be a wedding occurring on site.
  • Picnicking is permitted at the tables outside of the Pool House Gift Shop, Croquet Lawn and Orchard. Not on the Grand Lawn. 
  • In the event of rain, Milner does provide umbrellas for guests to borrow while on-site.
  • Smoking is only permitted in the designated smoking area outside the Pool House Gift Shop. Please ask a Milner Team Member to direct you.
  • Commercial photography or filming of Milner property is not permitted without first being discussed with management. Payment for a Commercial Photography Site Use Agreement is required, inquire at MilnerGardens@viu.ca
  • If you are planning a private tour or are interested in large group rates, please contact MilnerGardens@viu.ca
  • If you are planning a visit for a school group or other group involving children, check out our Shoots with Roots program, or contact Pam Murray at Pamela.Murray@viu.ca to discuss your options.

Accessibility Information

  • Our parking lot is equipped with three accessible parking stalls beside our Welcome and Interpretive Centre
  • a 6 or 8 person shuttle cart is available to transport guests from the Welcome and Interpretive Centre down to Milner House and back. It can accommodate collapsible wheelchairs, walkers or strollers on the back.
  • Accessible washrooms can be found at the Welcome and Interpretive Centre, Pool House Gift Shop and Milner House.
  • The public access portion of Milner House and Camellia Tea Room is located on the first floor and is wheelchair accessible though the front entrance/exit only. 
  • The Milner driveway is a long, gentle slope of packed gravel that some guests with wheelchairs, walkers or strollers may find challenging.
  • Forest and garden paths are regularly maintained to be kept clear. Some sections contain boardwalks that may be slippery when wet. 
  • Shuttle cart access is along the Milner driveway only - not through garden or woodland paths, or onto the Grand Lawn.

Directions to the Gardens