Five beautiful RHS gardens to visit

Enjoy the gorgeous displays of seasonal flowers at RHS's gardens (copyright RHS)

All across Great Britain, the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) give visitors relaxing and welcoming outdoor spaces to escape from the day-to-day. Their collection of landscaped, natural and botanical gardens is here for everybody to while away time in enjoyment, recuperation and study. 

In this guide, we will preview five wonderful RHS gardens that you absolutely cannot leave off your holiday itinerary. From RHS Bridgewater close to the heart of Manchester to the lush rolling hills of North Devon’s RHS Rosemoor, this contrasting collection of gardens is an unmissable delight for all.

Taking time out in a bewitching garden is central to many holidays. Why not take a browse at our holiday cottage collection? Many of them are situated near RHS gardens. Click on the button below.

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Skip to:

• RHS Garden Bridgewater
• RHS Garden Harlow Carr
• RHS Garden Hyde Hall
• RHS Garden Rosemoor
• RHS Garden Wisley

The Chinese Streamside Garden at RHS Bridgewater (copyright RHS)

RHS Garden Bridgewater | Manchester

Situated in the heart of Salford (near Manchester) close to its historical Bridgewater Canal and set in the grounds of (long-lost) Worsley New Hall, RHS Bridgewater encompasses a colossal area of 154 acres. First opened in May 2021, this is the RHS’s newest garden.

A beacon of gardening inspiration to the local community and visitors, it’s an awe-inspiring blend of modern architecture and seasonal planting. Take succour in the blend of international species and styles you will encounter in the Chinese Streamside Garden, the Paradise Garden, and the Victorian-era walled garden, to name a few.

Manchester holiday cottages 

Children having fun at RHS Harlow Carr's play area (copyright RHS)

RHS Garden Harlow Carr | North Yorkshire

Spanning 58 acres, RHS Harlow Carr, near Harrogate in North Yorkshire is a fine counterpoint to the untamed moors that surround this lovely spa town. There is a lot to discover in these tranquil gardens like huge swathes of wildflowers in the meadows, sheltering trees and sub-tropical gardens. 

Walk around the Queen Mother’s Lake, or amble through the Alpine House with its cornucopia of up to 2,000 plants, all native to mountain regions all over the globe. Enjoy exotic climates in the Sub Tropicana Garden or escape the crowds in the enticing Sandstone Rock Garden. 

Yorkshire holiday cottages 

RHS Garden Hyde Hall at sunrise (copyright RHS)

RHS Garden Hyde Hall | Essex  

Beloved by bird watchers, RHS Hyde Hall, located between Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford in Essex, is a charming series of gardens. Occupying a hilltop with wide views across the landscape, you can enjoy picnics on Clover Hill or take in the sights on a stroll around the reservoir with its bird hides. 

Highlights at Hyde Hall include the iconic Dry Garden, the Global Growth Vegetable Garden, the woodland paths of Birch Grove, and the Rose Garden and Rose Rope Walk. RHS Hyde Hall is a wondrous place for those who love wildlife and bird spotting; it’s also a special place to see all manner of colourful and unusual plants, trees and flowers. Some of our cottages have lovely gardens too.

Essex holiday cottages 

RHS Garden Rosemoor's Hot Garden in full bloom (copyright RHS)

RHS Garden Rosemoor | North Devon

Deep in a wooded valley below the hilltop North Devon town of Great Torrington is one of North Devon’s very best visitor attractions and landscaped gardens. With its series of garden rooms, sprawling woodlands, orchards, streams, ponds and an arboretum, it’s possible to see the entire 66 acres of RHS Rosemoor in one visit. 

There’s something to see all year round with highlights including the temperate gardens, the fragrant Rose Gardens, Darkham Wood, the Japanese-style Stone Garden, and the children’s play area that is half shrubbery and half pirate ship.

North Devon holiday cottages 

Ranger clearing the surface of a pond at RHS Garden Wisley (copyright RHS)

RHS Garden Wisley | Surrey

One of England’s most popular gardens, RHS Wisley in Surrey covers 240 acres and is home to RHS HQ. It is also where you can find some of the organisation's research centres such as RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science, which is dedicated to securing the future of the planet through education and new garden management practices. 

For visitors, there are places of horticultural interest like the World Food Garden, the Wellbeing Garden, the Wildlife Garden, The Glasshouse, and Battleston Hill. Enjoy views of the site from the Sky Terrace or let the mind wander as you forest bathe amongst the century-old trees of the Pinetum.

Surrey holiday cottages 

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage

We have holiday accommodation all across the UK where you can enjoy a holiday. Our collection includes everything from family holiday homes to secluded cottages for romantic breaks. If you’re considering visiting several RHS gardens, why not consider joining the RHS? Become a member and you’ll get unlimited days out at all five of these RHS gardens and a host of benefits. Visit rhs.org.uk/membership for more info.

Take some time to find your next staycation and visit your closest RHS garden while you're on your cottage holiday getaway.

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