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Sim’s Park is the botanical garden of Coonoor, the quieter hill town of the Nilgiris, about 19 km below Ooty. It is laid out on a steep, wooded slope about 3 km from the Coonoor bus stand, with paths that wind between old trees, flower beds and lawns, and a small lake.
If the big Government Botanical Garden in Ooty feels crowded, Sim’s Park is the calmer alternative: smaller, shadier and more natural in feel, with the hill’s original slope left largely as it was.
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History
The park was opened in December 1874 and is named after J. D. Sim, then secretary of the Madras Club, who developed it together with Major Murray. It covers about 12 hectares (30 acres) of undulating land at an elevation of roughly 1,770 to 1,800 metres. The garden was planned partly in the Japanese style, using the natural shape of the ravine rather than flattening it.
What to see
Sim’s Park holds more than 1,000 plant species from around 85 families. Look out for:
- Rudraksha trees: the trees whose seeds are used for prayer beads, a highlight for many Indian visitors.
- Queensland kauri pine and araucarias: tall conifers from the southern hemisphere, planted in the colonial period.
- Magnolias, camellias and tree ferns: hill-garden favourites that flower or look their best in the cool, damp months.
- Seasonal flower beds: roses and bedding plants, at their best in the summer season.
- The lake: a small, tree-fringed lake inside the park, a pleasant spot to sit for a while.
The fruit and vegetable show
Every May, Sim’s Park hosts the Nilgiris’ annual fruit and vegetable show as part of the summer festival season in the district. Growers and the Horticulture Department build large displays and sculptures from fruit and vegetables, and the park is at its busiest. If you visit then, go early in the morning and expect crowds and traffic in Coonoor town. Dates are announced each year, so check before you plan around it.
Tips for your visit
- Wear comfortable shoes: the park is on a slope, so some paths are steep in places.
- Carry a light jacket: Coonoor is cool and often misty, and showers can come in quickly.
- Allow 1 to 2 hours for an unhurried walk; longer if you are a plant enthusiast.
- Keep it clean: avoid bringing single-use plastic and carry back whatever you bring in.
- Families: the open lawns are good for children to run around, but watch them near the lake.
Nearby in Coonoor
Coonoor is surrounded by tea estates, and the viewpoints at Lamb’s Rock and Dolphin’s Nose are a short drive away. Coonoor is also a station on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, so you can combine the park with a ride on the toy train.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Coonoor is a long drive of roughly 8 to 9 hours from Pondicherry via Salem, Coimbatore and Mettupalayam, then up the Nilgiris ghat. Our Nilgiris tour with Coonoor and Mudumalai and our Ooty, Coonoor and Mysore tour both include Sim’s Park with a car and driver. See our hill stations page for more ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Sim's Park?
It is named after J. D. Sim, secretary of the Madras Club, who developed the garden with Major Murray. It opened in December 1874.
When is the fruit show at Sim's Park?
The annual fruit and vegetable show is held in May, during the Nilgiris summer festival season. Dates are announced each year.
How much time do you need at Sim's Park?
About one to two hours for a relaxed walk around the paths and the lake.
How far is Sim's Park from Ooty?
Coonoor is about 19 km from Ooty, and the park is about 3 km from the Coonoor bus stand, so roughly an hour’s drive from Ooty in normal traffic.
