Wisley is the flagship garden of the RHS and one of the UK’s most visited and best-loved gardens, attracting around one million visitors each year. The garden has expanded hugely over the years to its current size of 97ha (240 acres) and as an RHS member you can enjoy as many visits as you like. Wisley is all about inspirational gardening, rather than a museum of plants and conservation. They are constantly assessing and updating their plants and planting schemes to ensure there's always something new to excite and inspire. In particular, visit their Mixed Borders or Glasshouse Borders during summer and you'll be sure to get plenty of inspiration (and maybe a little envious). And a visit wouldn't be complete without stepping inside the spectacular Glasshouse, where you can take a journey around the world in plants. The outstanding horticultural displays and advice service are backed by a world-class scientific research team who ensure everything they do is to the highest standards. They're the leaders in best practise horticulture. With all this knowledge and expertise under their belt, they're passionate about educating others. They welcome schools and community groups to learn about what they do in RHS Hilltop: the home of gardening science. Many people don't know that the RHS is a charity with the focus of spreading the word on the best in gardening with, for example, the Campaign for School Gardening and the annual Britain in Bloom. The recently opened Welcome Building incorporates both the RHS Wisley Shop and Garden Centre, and there are several food outlets around the garden.
Where is RHS Garden Wisley located?
RHS Garden Wisley lies between Cobham and Ripley in Surrey. it is close to Ripley, a village dating back to the twelfth century with a coaching inn, restaurants, cafes and shops. The village boasts some 20 listed buidlings including the church with its Norman chancel.
What style of garden is RHS Garden Wisley?
RHS Garden Wisley is a horticultural garden with many different styles, which are up dated regularly. Their aim is to inspire everyone to garden from indoor plants to large outdoor areas, both flowers and food, and suiting every pocket.
What can guests enjoy at RHS Garden Wisley?
Throughout the year RHS Garden Wisley has something to offer. In spring there are the thousands of spring flowering bulbs including the crocus lawn, the daffodils in the Pinetum and elswhere, the tulips around the Glasshouse as well as the cherry blossoms, camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons.The wisteria walk with its associated topiary is wondeful. The summer features the rose garden, the mixed borders and the cottage garden, and the exotic garden in the late summer is beautiful. All around RHS Hilltop: the Home of Gardening Science there are feature gardens: Well-being, Wildlife and World Food Gardens. Autumn brings fiery colour to the garden with the changing of the season and the equinox borders display their late flowering plants in bright shades of pinks and purples and orange. The winter walk at RHS Garden Wisley is full of winter colour with bright stems and structure, and winter scents and evergreens. The Glasshouse is a warm and vibrant place to visit on a cold winter's day. The World Food Garden shows how everyone can grow food for their own plates, and beyond, the orchards spread out with many varieties of fruit trees. And there is still more to explore.
Other Information
There are several food outlets around the garden with the main Food Hall not far from the entrance. Nearby there is the Terrace Restaurant where you can enjoy meals served at your table, but remember to book as it is a popular place to dine. There is also the Glasshouse Cafe and the World Food Cafe, open all year round. Stone Pine Cafe at the end of the heather landscapes is open in the summer. There are also pop-up food vans in various places during the summer months. All details can be found on the website. The Wisley Garden Centre is the place to buy your bit of Wisley to take home with many of the plants you may have seen in the garden available to buy. The shop has a large range of gifts, books, stationery and food for visitors to buy. There is also a small cafe here.
