About Rhs Garden Wisley
Flagship garden of the RHS, Wisley captures the imagination with richly planted borders, luscious rose gardens and a state-of-the-art Glasshouse.
Rhs Garden Wisley Description
RHS Garden Wisley is one of the world's greatest gardens. For more than 100 years, when it was presented to the RHS by Sir Thomas Hanbury, Wisley has been a centre of gardening excellence, with RHS members and other visitors benefitting from the knowledge and experience of RHS experts.
As the flagship garden for the Royal Horticultural Society, its beauty, size and diversity of planting provides visitors of all ages with an exceptional day out.
The garden is 240 acres in size, has one of the largest plant collections in the world, with close to 30, 000 plant varieties, and attracts 1 million visitors a year.
http://twitter.com/RHSWisley
Reviews
Did you know that Wisley houses one of the largest plant collections in the world? Look for these highlights on your next visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/gar den-highlights
Don’t miss our Fuchsias in the Glasshouse display, on until 19 August. It’s a vibrant collection, featuring a range of different sizes and colours: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/vie wevent…
Our Jurassic Discovery summer holiday fun starts tomorrow here at Wisley! Join us to explore Jurassic plants, fossils and dinosaur sculptures, plus take part in a variety of activities all summer long. Find out more here: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/…/whats- on/Jurassic-Discovery
The RHS Exclusive Fern range has arrived! Beautiful pots, scarves, bags and cushions for the home are all here in the Wisley Gift Shop for you to discover.
Plan your next visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
If there’s any such thing as a prominent corner, then here’s just the thing for it. Crepe myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, is an open shrub smothered in crinkled, crepey-looking flowers. Our largest, most stunning specimen is in the corner by the Lab, but you'll see them around the garden. On the Trials Field you can find different shades of pink and white, light and dark foliage, in pots and in the ground.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/…/100448/Lagerst roemia-indica/Details
Experience Wisley after hours at our late evening opening on Friday 27 July. Come along to enjoy a tranquil stroll around the garden and see new views of Wisley. Open until 8pm (last entry at 7pm). It’s free to RHS Members.
Non-members can benefit from a special offer on garden entry after 5pm. Adult tickets for the Wisley Late cost £7 - book here: https://gardentickets.rhs.org.uk/rhswi/bu y.aspx?tid=13
Spectacular scents and wonderful colours -the lily trial is in full swing on the Trials Field. Come and enjoy them, and read all about the different types involved in breeding these beauties. https://www.rhs.org.uk/…/…/july-2018/ july-plant-of-the-month
Did you know that it’s the Year of the Marigold? We’re calling on our visitors to vote for their favourite from more than 140 cultivars on display in our Trials Field. Come on down, choose your favourite one and cast your vote. You’ll find the voting slips next to the Marigold display.
Plan your visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
Have you spotted the turf art around the garden at Wisley? Following the recent warm weather, our team decided to create this fun beach-themed display.
To create the designs, the team mark out the pattern and use a special vintage cylinder mower to cut the grass. You’ll find this design by our Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden.
Plan your visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
The flower of love - agapanthus (from the Greek 'agape' for love and 'anthos' meaning a flower) are in flower across the garden where clumps of them mix in with herbaceous and mixed planting schemes. And on the Trials Field you can see a huge variety of them: tall, small; potted or in the ground; green or variegated foliage; evergreen and deciduous varieties; in shades of white with a tinge of pink through blues to deep purple. There are plenty in flower and many more in bud, so this will be a destination for the next few weeks. Which ones would suit your garden? Learn more about the African lily: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID =60 https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/…/Agapant hus-Blue-Moon/Details
Roll up, roll up, for a weekend of circus-themed celebrations at our ArtsFest event on Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 July!
Come along to see exciting circus performances and learn some skills yourself. There’ll also be a jovial programme of music, magic and art running throughout the event. Find out more: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gar…/wisley/what s-on/wisley-arts-fest
This summer, take a step back in time and unearth the secrets from the land that time forgot at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, from 21 July to 2 September 2018.
Throughout the school holidays, children are invited to go on a Jurassic discovery to explore Jurassic plants, dinosaur sculptures and dinosaur footprints on a trail around the garden. Adventurers are challenged to complete the tasks along the way and learn all about the plants that dinosaurs used to eat.
A daily progr...amme of free activities will run throughout, varying from dinosaur-themed craft activities, puppet shows and storytelling sessions, to interactive music workshops and thrilling birds of prey displays. Weekly ‘sow and grow’ workshops will run to encourage children to try gardening for themselves and to take home the finished planting to watch it grow. All the plants are Jurassic-themed. Watch out too for the willow dinosaur sculpture in the garden.
Open 10am-6pm Mon-Fri and 9am-6pm Sat-Sun.
View the programme here: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/…/whats- on/Jurassic-Discovery
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If you're a fan of growing your own, it's worth a stroll to the Wisley Allotments in the Orchard. With plots cultivated by RHS students and members of the local community, with both dig and no dig beds, they are currently in full swing. Come over to see how they're going in this, their first year, and find out how to be involved yourself. It's an inspirational destination. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID =84 https://www.rhs.org.uk/…/w…/Articles/ wisley-allotment-course
Are you looking for fun ideas to fill the summer holidays? If so, come on a Jurassic Discovery here at Wisley from 21 July. Budding adventurers can take a step back in time to unearth the secrets of the land that time forgot, with Jurassic plant habitats, dinosaur footprints and sculptures to discover.
View the daily programme of activities: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/…/whats- on/Jurassic-Discovery
Enjoy a weekend of artistic delights at our ArtsFest event on 14-15 July. This year, we’ll be celebrating 250 years of the circus with live music, magic workshops, dance, circus acts and much more! https://www.rhs.org.uk/gar…/wisley/what s-on/wisley-arts-fest
As the warm weather continues, there’s something for everyone at Wisley. For those who love to bask in the sunshine, head to areas such as the Rock Garden and Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden this weekend. For those looking to cool off in the shade, take a gentle stroll through Battleston Hill, Oakwood and the Pinetum.
Plan your visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
What could be more refreshing in this heat and humidity than a cooling stroll on Battleston Hill. Colourful Hydrangea macrophylla shrubs are loving the conditions, and putting on an amazing show. Blowsy en masse, but dainty in detail, their visual impact will draw you to them. Hostas enhance the lushness of the woodland garden. It's so inviting...
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Search-Resu lts…
Did you know that our Gift Shop stocks the exclusive Hampton Court Palace Flower Show range? If you can’t get to the show this week, browse the collection right here at Wisley: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
This year's ArtsFest celebrates 250 years of the circus, with circus performances and have-a-go areas, alongside a jovial programme of music, magic and art.
Themed zones will be filled with show-stopping acts, all celebrating different artistic skills. Head to the Circus Marquee to enjoy a circus show and gain some skills of your own, with magic and trapeze workshops. The Performance Marquee is the place to go for inspirational music, poetry and puppetry, with appearances fro...m the String Theatre and British Airways Brass Band.
Visitors to ArtsFest will also be able to watch balloon modelling demonstrations, marvel at intriguing living statues, become enthralled by the skills of a professional magician and listen to musical performances.
Find out more: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gar…/wisley/what s-on/wisley-arts-fest
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It's time to have your say. At the bottom of the Trials Field, this colourful selection of new introductions to the world of basket/container plants is ready for you to vote on. From black-leaved Ipomoea to the pretty purple phlox, alongside verbenas, lobelias, petunias, dahlias, osteospermum and many others... it's a tough call. We'll collate the results and publish them at the end of the season. And your input can influence the British market in forthcoming years. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid =139 https://www.rhs.org.uk/…/perennial…/h anging-basket-stalwarts
Winter at Wisley is just as good as at other times of the year. There may not be as many flowers but the garden structure is visible.
We visited Wisely on Sunday 26th November. We are members and love the gardens in any season. I took friends one of which, was their first Wisely experience. We parked in the overflow car park & chose to walk in, although tractors and shuttle buses were available but we did get the bus back at closing time, it was very well organised. The Fair was amazing, fabulous exhibitors, with a huge choice!! The winter/Christmas theme is lovely & my friends & I have put dates in the diary, for next year to visit the gardens again in every season!! Well done RHS 😀
We love Wisley whatever the season or weather. There is always something new to discover and colour even on the darkest winter days. As it happens, the weather was glorious, cold but sunny. Battleston Hill was lovely with colour everywhere - snowdrops, cyclamen and rhodies. We particularly loved the sun lighting up the pale-barked trees. The eucalyptus overlooking the trial beds looked spectacular and the bark was tactile. One of our favourite places is the Alpine display house - every plant a miniature miracle! The winter colour round the pond was glorious. Sadly we didn’t have time to visit the heathers - next time!!
So relaxing to stroll round and enjoy the gardens. I hope they introduce more nature spots as I've really enjoyed the bird hide today. Also would love to see more water coolers around the gardens for refilling water bottles. When it's hot and there are large ques at the food outlets, it would make a big difference to be able to refill our water bottles on the go.
So inspiring, relaxing, good for the soul! Kids had a ball, granny and auntie too and lunch was delicious. Excellent choice and tasty. And to top it off could do some shopping at the nursery and the kids could browse the books in the gift shop. Ace!
Love coming here, always something new new to see. I enjoy showing off to family and friends who come to visit..they always enjoy themselves. Only downside is that the cafe is a bit pricy..£ 6.50 for a veg stew or over £3.50 for a coffee
I love visiting Wisley. There's so much to see and do lots of ideas and always something in colour. I particularly love the dandelion seed sculpture at the top of Battleston Hill. I like the metal insect and butterfly sculptures.
I contacted the events team at Wisley to see if they could help me organise a surprise engagement for my now fiancé. The positive attitude I received from them was incredible. I was completely taken back on how helpful considerate and knowledgeable they were. The team made our whole experience unforgettable and I will remember there kindness forever.
Have been a member for 20 years. Such a wonderful privilege to have RHS Wisley right on our doorstep. It's just like having a perfect garden "ready for you" year-round. Season after season, fantastic surprises. Plus the exhibitions and shows are most enjoyable too.
My only reservation concerns the hot food. Everything else salads / cakes / drinks are fantastic, but the hot food can be limited in choice.
First visit to Wisley, a Mother’s Day treat to go to the orchid day. It was in the huge garden glass house ( sorry I have forgotten what it was called!) which was a beautiful place as well, such a treat to wander around.
It was a lovely happy day, amazing gardens with a gorgeous display of crocus flowers and a new vista around every corner.
Another wonderful day at Wisley, everyone so friendly and helpful and our 4 year old granddaughter loved the bunny hunt. Cafe at the glasshouse was heaving and not much choice in children’s food, probably they had run out! Rosie is getting to know her flowers now and loves all the pretty colors, especially the camellias. Thank you.
A beautiful place to visit for any member of the family. So much to see and do for every age group. The food, facilities and gardens are all brilliant. A great day out.
Went on a warm Sunday...
Got there at opening time so no cues leave it to late you will cue for ages to car park or entrance.
Price ok
Gardens really well kept.. nice facilities..but bit pricey.
Staff friendly in the library...worth a look.
Probably won’t go again but one off is nice.
We really enjoy visiting Wisley and various changes have improved the gardens.
We do agree with the previous comment on how bad the food is now. It has gone steadily downhill.We have decided to take our own in future!
We always enjoy Wisley (and all the RHS gardens) particularly when visiting at different times of the year but our visit yesterday was made less comfortable by the temporary loos in the car park being closed due to the cold weather. With no doubt Wisley will be even more amazing when all the alterations are completed but the impressive temporary loos to be closed, after nearly two hours of travelling, was very inconvenient as we were waiting to meet friends and did not wish to enter the garden to trek to the restaurant area for a quick visit. Who could have thought it would get cold in winter?!
Visited as part of a package with Chelsea Flower Show this Friday /Saturday gone. Loved the gardens - they were gorgeous - and was impressed with the whole set up bar one thing which upset me. This was the event "birds of prey", which was situated in the lawned area opposite the café and food hall. It was a roasting hot day and these poor owls were all chained to posts in the boiling sun so throngs of people could gawp and photograph them. As far as I know, these birds are nocturnal - they avoid the heat of the day and roost far from prying eyes. They had water dishes but what a miserable life! Shame on you Wisley for promoting this on your grounds. Nature and animal welfare should surely be part of your agenda!
Its ironic that the Christmas Glow lights are sponsored by a smart meter company, as they are left on during the day and rather spoil the natural winter bare stalks, feeling too much like those hideous painted plants in garden centres. I went back at night, and the light displays didn't grab me either.
When they are not mucking around with them, the gardens are superb, seemingly endless.
A good day out. We normally go to rhs Hyde hall, and this was our first family outing to Wisley. Our only criticism was that the food hall was heaving at lunch time and although I am aware that a new building is under construction which will hopefully improve matters the restaurant was not open which meant that the cafe was extra busy. (Not a spare seat in the place, and multiple families queueing, not a recipe for success with young children)
The food selection was also a little disappointing as there was not that much to choose from for lunch, RHS Hyde hall has this sorted with jacket potatoes to freshly prepared panini and roast dinners (all of which are reasonably priced) Wisley hopefully will up their game before our next visit...
Not happy having to pay £14 and 2x£7 for my two kids to simply have access to the Xmas craft fayre. It’s like bribery, no pay the no access into the show, in which the stalls were quite expensive anyway. Had no intention of visiting the gardens in the freezing weather. No proper food for lunch, had to go outside the fayre to get which then resulted in the most revolting mulled wine I’ve ever had - bitter and undrinkable, followed by sausages not being cooked properly in cafe nearby because oven broke. Very disappointed Wisley and you should be ashamed of yourselves charging me and kids that amount of money.
Winter at Wisley is just as good as at other times of the year. There may not be as many flowers but the garden structure is visible.
We visited Wisely on Sunday 26th November. We are members and love the gardens in any season. I took friends one of which, was their first Wisely experience. We parked in the overflow car park & chose to walk in, although tractors and shuttle buses were available but we did get the bus back at closing time, it was very well organised. The Fair was amazing, fabulous exhibitors, with a huge choice!! The winter/Christmas theme is lovely & my friends & I have put dates in the diary, for next year to visit the gardens again in every season!! Well done RHS 😀
We love Wisley whatever the season or weather. There is always something new to discover and colour even on the darkest winter days. As it happens, the weather was glorious, cold but sunny. Battleston Hill was lovely with colour everywhere - snowdrops, cyclamen and rhodies. We particularly loved the sun lighting up the pale-barked trees. The eucalyptus overlooking the trial beds looked spectacular and the bark was tactile. One of our favourite places is the Alpine display house - every plant a miniature miracle! The winter colour round the pond was glorious. Sadly we didn’t have time to visit the heathers - next time!!
So relaxing to stroll round and enjoy the gardens. I hope they introduce more nature spots as I've really enjoyed the bird hide today. Also would love to see more water coolers around the gardens for refilling water bottles. When it's hot and there are large ques at the food outlets, it would make a big difference to be able to refill our water bottles on the go.
So inspiring, relaxing, good for the soul! Kids had a ball, granny and auntie too and lunch was delicious. Excellent choice and tasty. And to top it off could do some shopping at the nursery and the kids could browse the books in the gift shop. Ace!
Love coming here, always something new new to see. I enjoy showing off to family and friends who come to visit..they always enjoy themselves. Only downside is that the cafe is a bit pricy..£ 6.50 for a veg stew or over £3.50 for a coffee
I love visiting Wisley. There's so much to see and do lots of ideas and always something in colour. I particularly love the dandelion seed sculpture at the top of Battleston Hill. I like the metal insect and butterfly sculptures.
I contacted the events team at Wisley to see if they could help me organise a surprise engagement for my now fiancé. The positive attitude I received from them was incredible. I was completely taken back on how helpful considerate and knowledgeable they were. The team made our whole experience unforgettable and I will remember there kindness forever.
Have been a member for 20 years. Such a wonderful privilege to have RHS Wisley right on our doorstep. It's just like having a perfect garden "ready for you" year-round. Season after season, fantastic surprises. Plus the exhibitions and shows are most enjoyable too.
My only reservation concerns the hot food. Everything else salads / cakes / drinks are fantastic, but the hot food can be limited in choice.
First visit to Wisley, a Mother’s Day treat to go to the orchid day. It was in the huge garden glass house ( sorry I have forgotten what it was called!) which was a beautiful place as well, such a treat to wander around.
It was a lovely happy day, amazing gardens with a gorgeous display of crocus flowers and a new vista around every corner.
Another wonderful day at Wisley, everyone so friendly and helpful and our 4 year old granddaughter loved the bunny hunt. Cafe at the glasshouse was heaving and not much choice in children’s food, probably they had run out! Rosie is getting to know her flowers now and loves all the pretty colors, especially the camellias. Thank you.
A beautiful place to visit for any member of the family. So much to see and do for every age group. The food, facilities and gardens are all brilliant. A great day out.
Went on a warm Sunday...
Got there at opening time so no cues leave it to late you will cue for ages to car park or entrance.
Price ok
Gardens really well kept.. nice facilities..but bit pricey.
Staff friendly in the library...worth a look.
Probably won’t go again but one off is nice.
We really enjoy visiting Wisley and various changes have improved the gardens.
We do agree with the previous comment on how bad the food is now. It has gone steadily downhill.We have decided to take our own in future!
We always enjoy Wisley (and all the RHS gardens) particularly when visiting at different times of the year but our visit yesterday was made less comfortable by the temporary loos in the car park being closed due to the cold weather. With no doubt Wisley will be even more amazing when all the alterations are completed but the impressive temporary loos to be closed, after nearly two hours of travelling, was very inconvenient as we were waiting to meet friends and did not wish to enter the garden to trek to the restaurant area for a quick visit. Who could have thought it would get cold in winter?!
Visited as part of a package with Chelsea Flower Show this Friday /Saturday gone. Loved the gardens - they were gorgeous - and was impressed with the whole set up bar one thing which upset me. This was the event "birds of prey", which was situated in the lawned area opposite the café and food hall. It was a roasting hot day and these poor owls were all chained to posts in the boiling sun so throngs of people could gawp and photograph them. As far as I know, these birds are nocturnal - they avoid the heat of the day and roost far from prying eyes. They had water dishes but what a miserable life! Shame on you Wisley for promoting this on your grounds. Nature and animal welfare should surely be part of your agenda!
Its ironic that the Christmas Glow lights are sponsored by a smart meter company, as they are left on during the day and rather spoil the natural winter bare stalks, feeling too much like those hideous painted plants in garden centres. I went back at night, and the light displays didn't grab me either.
When they are not mucking around with them, the gardens are superb, seemingly endless.
A good day out. We normally go to rhs Hyde hall, and this was our first family outing to Wisley. Our only criticism was that the food hall was heaving at lunch time and although I am aware that a new building is under construction which will hopefully improve matters the restaurant was not open which meant that the cafe was extra busy. (Not a spare seat in the place, and multiple families queueing, not a recipe for success with young children)
The food selection was also a little disappointing as there was not that much to choose from for lunch, RHS Hyde hall has this sorted with jacket potatoes to freshly prepared panini and roast dinners (all of which are reasonably priced) Wisley hopefully will up their game before our next visit...
Not happy having to pay £14 and 2x£7 for my two kids to simply have access to the Xmas craft fayre. It’s like bribery, no pay the no access into the show, in which the stalls were quite expensive anyway. Had no intention of visiting the gardens in the freezing weather. No proper food for lunch, had to go outside the fayre to get which then resulted in the most revolting mulled wine I’ve ever had - bitter and undrinkable, followed by sausages not being cooked properly in cafe nearby because oven broke. Very disappointed Wisley and you should be ashamed of yourselves charging me and kids that amount of money.