Atbara House at Singapore Botanic Gardens
If you’ve ever wandered through the greenery of the Singapore Botanic Gardens and spotted a colonial-style building, that’s Atbara House. Located at the Gallop Extension, it houses the Forest Discovery Centre @ OCBC Arboretum, where you can find out more about Singapore’s forest ecosystems and history.
What is Atbara House?
A photo of Atbara House taken in 1985, which was occupied by the French Embassy back then.
Image credits: National Library Board
Built in 1898, Atbara House holds the title of one of Singapore’s oldest surviving colonial-era bungalows. It was originally built and owned by John Burkinshaw, a founding partner of one of the oldest independent law firms in Singapore.
Image adapted from: Kay Ngee Tan Architects
With 7 rooms and 5 bathrooms, the house featured high ceilings and arches, designed with tropical living in mind by architect Regent Alfred John Bidwell, the same man behind icons like the Raffles Hotel and Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall.
Over the years, the building took on new roles, serving as the French Embassy before being acquired by the Singapore government in 1990.
Image credit: Ym Jin via Google Maps
After years of planning, it finally opened its doors to the public in 2021 as the Forest Discovery Centre, now part of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
What is there to do at Atbara House?
Forest Discovery Centre
Inside the Forest Discovery Centre, you’ll find a mix of interactive and visual exhibits, including family-friendly displays and videos showcasing Singapore’s biodiversity.
Image credit: Timothy TM via Google Maps
You’ll also be greeted by century-old rooms upon stepping in, along with wood-panelled flooring and wide windows where you can admire the beautiful forest views.
But our favourite part has got to be the air conditioning and the benches, a welcome sight after a long and hot hike through the Botanic Gardens. But rest stop aside, there’s also plenty to discover in the bungalow once you’ve had your break.
Image credit: Jack Yam via Google Maps
Walk into a room dedicated to the history of the house, where you can look at old photographs of what it once was and the people who occupied it.
Image credit: CK C via Google Maps
Admire a photographic installation of forest trees and check out a biodiversity count of certain native species on the wall that is updated yearly.
Forest Conservation Gallery
Image credit: Rolf Zhi via Google Maps
Head into the Forest Conservation Gallery to learn about Singapore’s forest habitats and the flora and fauna found in them. Listen to what they sound like, and let your kids play with other interactive displays like a “camera trap”, where you can snap a picture and email it to yourself.
Here, you’ll also learn that Singapore was part of a wider Sundaland Peninsula and was not always an island.
Nature Explorer Zone
Image credit: siewlan liow via Google Maps
At the Nature Explorer Zone, you’ll find displays of butterflies and dragonflies for up-close viewing using a moving magnifying glass. Or look through the telescope and try to spot the birds listed on an infographic.
There’s also a mysterious safe built into the wall and a cabinet of curiosities showcasing book displays, forest models, and jars containing plant parts and insects. These will have you doing a double-take and wondering if they were once alive or just impressively lifelike.
Under the Atbara House
Image credit: Still A.N.U. via Google Maps
As the Atbara House is elevated on concrete pillars, you’ll be able to wander beneath it too. Spot the Lowland Forest Understorey Terrarium tucked under one of the arches.
Image credit: Our Momento
The unique Moorish cinquefoil arches also double up as a pretty photo spot – some people have even done pre-wedding photoshoots there.
What else can you do near Atbara House?
Visit the Botanical Art Gallery
Image credit: Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Forest Discovery Centre is actually not that big, so you could pair your visit with the Botanical Art Gallery. It’s located in Inverturret, another old colonial building right beside Atbara. Entry is free, and it’s open daily from 9am to 6pm, except on the last Thursday of each month.
Image credit: Singapore Botanic Gardens
There, you can admire a selection of more than 2,000 botanical paintings, look at specimens under a microscope, and complete a stamp rally.
Have a picnic on the grass lawn
Image credit: Kay Ngee Tan Architects
The sprawling grass lawns outside Atbara House are perfect for picnics. You’ll also be able to find big trees with plenty of shade.
Is entry to Atbara House free?
Yes, entry to Atbara House is free. You can just walk in and out freely to admire the architecture, snap photos, and enjoy the exhibits and air conditioning anytime between 9am to 6pm. Just note that the centre is closed every last Monday of the month, so don’t make a wasted trip down on that day.
How to get to Atbara House
It’s located at the Gallop Extension of Singapore Botanic Gardens. Parking is available at the Gallop Extension carpark via Tyersall Avenue, and then it’s a 4-minute walk to Atbara House.
If you’re coming via public transport, the nearest MRT station is Farrer Road, a 1.2km or 20-minute hike away from Atbara House.
Image adapted from: NParksSG via YouTube
As the house is elevated, a ramp that snakes through the back garden has been installed so the Forest Discovery Centre is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Visit the Forest Discovery Centre at Atbara House
Even if you’re not there for the learning, it’s honestly the best place to hide from the heat with the air conditioning. The wide windows also let in plenty of natural light, which makes the whole space really perfect for photos. And there’s also a nice, clean toilet, if that’s what you need.
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Cover image adapted from: Ym Jin & Rolf Zhi via Google Maps, Kay Ngee Tan Architects