Through the Garden Gate: Swansea
June 8 - June 9
Toronto’s largest tour of the most beautiful private residential gardens. This walkable, self-guided annual tour will highlight the most beautiful private gardens in the west-end Toronto neighbourhood of Swansea. This area is known for historical architecture, vibrant shopping and dining in Bloor-West Village, and some pretty amazing gardeners! Garden-goers will have the opportunity to visit more than 20 residential gardens, of varying sizes and themes. The self-guided format enables participants to discover the gardens at their own pace following a map and guide that contains descriptions of each featured garden. A complimentary shuttle bus service is available for participants to “hop on and hop off” along the route, which is also very walkable. Back by popular demand will be live music in select gardens to enhance your enjoyment of connecting with nature. Garden seekers will also have a chance to ask questions and learn something too! Knowledgeable Toronto Master Gardeners will be stationed in each garden and are happy to answer plant and garden design questions. All proceeds from the tour support the Toronto Botanical Garden.
This outdoor event can be enjoyed solo or with family and friends, strolling along the tree-lined streets, while skipping in and out of gardens. Come early or linger after the tour to shop or dine at one of the local restaurants in the nearby Bloor-West Village.
Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, 2024
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One-Day Pass, Public $45, TBG Member $40
Two-Day Pass, Public $70, TBG Member $65
Student/Child Pass, $25
Your ticket (wristband) gives you access to:
- Over 20 beautiful private gardens
- “Hop on, hop off” complimentary shuttle buses which roam the garden route
- Garden guide and map with descriptions of each garden as well as a comprehensive digital guide to making the most of your tour experience which includes the history of the area, full descriptions of the featured gardens, insider and neighbourhood tips, and more.
TOUR HEADQUARTERS
Tour Headquarters, located at Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia Avenue, Toronto, ON will be open on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE SWANSEA TOWN HALL. They do not have ticket information and cannot assist you- if you need assistance please contact the Toronto Botanical Garden at 416-397-1341 or email programsupport@torontobotanicalgarden.ca
PARKING
There is no parking available at the Swansea Town Hall. There are Green P lots on the north side of Bloor Street, and the tour is located near two subway stations, Runnymede and Jane, which are just a 7-10 minute walk to the Swansea Town Hall. The Swansea 77 bus does the loop from Runnymede Station. You can also pick up the Tour Shuttle Buses at stops along the Garden Route. These will be indicated on the Garden guide and map.
Please Note:
- Online Advance Sales. Ticket sales are available online before the tour through our website and Eventbrite. Wristbands and maps may be picked up at the Toronto Botanical Garden two weeks in advance of the tour. You will be notified by email when they are available.
- In-Person Sales. Available two weeks before the tour at the Toronto Botanical Garden. Tickets will also be available for purchase at tour headquarters on the weekend of the event.
- The tour takes place rain or shine. Please dress for the weather.
PREVIOUS MEDIA COVERAGE
- Garden Gawking in the Beaches, National Post by KC Hoard
- See how Beaches gardens grow in this year’s annual tour, Toronto Star by Mark Cullen and Ben Cullen
- Sanctuaries from climate change thrive in GTA backyards, Toronto Star by Carola Vyhnak
- Beach gardens to be featured in upcoming Through The Garden Gate tour, Beach Metro by Mary Fran McQuade
- Beauty and The Beach, Botanical Buzz by Lorraine Hunter
- Through the Garden Gate: a great summer tour, Toronto Star by Sonia Day
- Toronto’s ‘Through the Garden Gate’ Celebrates 30 Years! by Janet Davis
- Through the Garden Gate — 30 Gardens for 30 Years by Lorraine Hunter
- Through the Garden Gate: North Rosedale and Moore Park by Three Dogs in a Garden
- Through the Garden Gate: The Kingsway by Helen Battersby
- Break out those walking shoes, garden tour season has started by Sonia Day
- TBG’s Through the Garden Gate Tour in the Kingsway by Cristina da Silva
- Sneak Peak of the TBG’s Through the Garden Gate: The Kingsway by Barbara’s Garden Chronicles
NEIGHBOURHOODS THIS ANNUAL GARDEN TOUR HAS VISITED
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- 2024 – Swansea
- 2023 – Riverdale
- 2022 – Wychwood
- 2021 – Postponed due to COVID-19
- 2020 – Postponed due to COVID-19
- 2019 – The Beach (photo gallery)
- 2018 – Windfields Estate ( photo gallery)
- 2017 – Rosedale North
- 2016 – The Kingsway (photo gallery)
- 2015 – Lawrence Park (photo gallery)
- 2014 – Hogg’s Hollow (photo gallery)
- 2013 – Forest Hill (photo gallery)
- 2012 – Rosedale (photo gallery)
- 2011 – Swansea Village (photo gallery)
- 2010 – The Beach
- 2009 – Beyond the Bridle Path
- 2008 – Riverdale
- 2007 – Wychwood Park and Davenport Ridge
- 2006 – Toronto Islands
- 2005 – Rosedale East
- 2004 – Rosedale
- 2003 – The Kingsway and Sunnylea
- 2002 – Lawrence Park
- 2001 – Bennington Heights & Moore Park
- 2000 – Rosedale
- 1999 – Grenadier Pond
- 1998 – Hogg’s Hollow
- 1997 – Spadina, Casa Loma & Davenport Hill
- 1996 – Riverview Drive, Teddington Park & Mason Blvd.
- 1995 – Shades of the Humber (Baby Point)
- 1994 – A Sunset tour of Arjay Crescent
- 1993 – Rosedale & Forest Hill
- 1992 – Lawrence Park
- 1991 – Hogg’s Hollow
- 1990 – Forest Hill & Belmont Street
- 1989 – Downtown Toronto Private Gardens
- 1988 – Downtown Toronto Private Gardens
