Anyone who has ever wandered through a well-kept garden knows the feeling of calm that comes with it. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has been making that feeling accessible for over two centuries, and today its network of five main gardens and 220 Partner Gardens offers something for every kind of plant lover. This guide compares the five flagship RHS gardens, lays out membership costs and benefits, and answers the practical questions that help you plan your next visit.
RHS gardens in the UK: 5 main gardens + 220 Partner Gardens ·
RHS membership: free entry to all five main gardens ·
RHS Partner Gardens: 220 across the UK and overseas
Quick snapshot
- RHS operates five main gardens: Wisley, Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor, and Bridgewater (RHS member benefits page)
- Members get free unlimited visits to all five main gardens (RHS member benefits page) (RHS member benefits page)
- 220 RHS Partner Gardens in the UK and overseas offer free entry at selected times (RHS Members’ Handbook 2024)
- Individual members can also bring a family guest or two children free of charge (RHS member benefits page) (RHS member benefits page)
- Which RHS garden is objectively the best is subjective — depends on personal taste in landscape, size, and seasonal interest
- Exact opening hours vary by garden and season; always check the official RHS website before visiting
- RHS continues to expand its partner garden network and develop new visitor experiences across all five sites
- Membership benefits now include digital magazine access and online expert advice (RHS member benefits page)
Six key facts at a glance, sourced from the RHS itself:
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Total RHS main gardens | 5 |
| RHS Partner Gardens | 220 (UK and overseas) |
| RHS membership cost (individual starting) | £54 per year (2025) |
| RHS Garden Wisley size | 240 acres |
| RHS oldest garden | RHS Garden Wisley (acquired 1903, society founded 1804) |
| RHS newest garden | RHS Garden Bridgewater (opened 2021) |
The implication: the RHS network is both historic and modern, with a membership model that rewards regular visitors.
What are the 5 main RHS gardens?
RHS Garden Wisley overview
- Flagship garden in Surrey, spanning 240 acres (Wikipedia)
- Year-round interest with glasshouses, model gardens, and the famous Wisley borders
RHS Garden Harlow Carr overview
- Located in Harrogate, North Yorkshire — noted for its woodland garden and rose collection
- Streamside walk and kitchen garden are highlights
RHS Garden Hyde Hall overview
- Essex, covers 360 acres with hilltop views and a renowned dry garden
- Home to a large collection of drought-tolerant plants
RHS Garden Rosemoor overview
- Devon, 65 acres — known for its roses, Mediterranean garden, and formal areas
- Received from Lady Anne Berry in 1988 (Wikipedia)
RHS Garden Bridgewater overview
- Salford, 154 acres — the newest RHS garden, opened in 2021 (Wikipedia)
- Features a Chinese garden, kitchen garden, and award-winning design
The pattern: each garden has a distinct identity, from the formal grandeur of Wisley to the experimental dry garden at Hyde Hall.
Which is the oldest RHS garden and which is the newest?
History of RHS Gardens timeline
- 1804 — RHS founded (Wikipedia)
- 1903 — RHS acquires Wisley, its oldest garden (Wikipedia)
- 1950s — Harlow Carr established
- 1988 — Rosemoor given to RHS
- 1993 — Hyde Hall given to RHS
- 2021 — RHS Garden Bridgewater opens (Wikipedia)
RHS Garden Bridgewater: the newest addition
Bridgewater, located in Salford, Greater Manchester, is the most recent addition to the RHS family. Opened in 2021, it was built on the site of the former Worsley New Hall and features a 154-acre landscape with a Chinese garden, kitchen garden, and a large lake. The design has won several awards (Wikipedia).
What this means: while Wisley remains the historic flagship, Bridgewater represents the RHS’s commitment to bringing horticulture to urban audiences.
How much is entry to RHS Gardens and what benefits do RHS members receive?
Entry prices for non-members
Non-members pay per visit. Prices vary by garden and season, but typically range from £10 to £18 for adults. Children under 5 often go free. The RHS website provides current pricing for each garden (RHS gardens page).
RHS member benefits: free entry to all main gardens and Partner Gardens
- Unlimited free visits to all five RHS gardens (RHS member benefits page)
- Free entry to 220 RHS Partner Gardens at selected times (RHS Members’ Handbook 2024)
- Free or discounted tickets to RHS events (Weather2Travel)
- Free access to the monthly magazine The Garden (RHS member benefits page)
- Free expert advice from RHS horticultural advisors (RHS Members’ Handbook 2024)
- Borrow books, e-books, and audiobooks from the RHS library (RHS member benefits page)
The catch: for Joint RHS Members, only the primary member can visit Partner Gardens for free — the secondary member and guests must pay full entry (RHS Partner Garden scheme).
The catch: Joint RHS members face restrictions at Partner Gardens; only the primary member gets free entry.
The implication: RHS membership is highly valuable for regular garden visitors, but joint members should plan around the partner garden rule.
Which is bigger, RHS Wisley or Kew Gardens?
Two of the UK’s most famous gardens, but they serve different purposes. Wisley is the RHS flagship; Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | RHS Wisley | Kew Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 240 acres | 330 acres |
| Location | Surrey | Richmond, London |
| Founded | 1903 (RHS acquisition) | 1759 (as a royal garden) |
| Operator | Royal Horticultural Society | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |
| Entry fee (adult, 2025) | ~£16 (non-member) | ~£21.50 |
| Member free entry | Yes (RHS members) | No (Kew members only) |
The trade-off: Kew is larger and older, but Wisley offers free entry for RHS members and a more intimate, garden-focused experience.
What is the Irish equivalent of RHS?
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI)
The RHSI is the Irish counterpart of the RHS, founded in 1816. It operates 63 Partner Gardens across Ireland (RHSI official site). Like the RHS, it offers membership with free entry to its partner gardens and events.
RHSI Partner Garden scheme in Ireland
RHSI members can visit 63 gardens in Ireland and Northern Ireland for free or at reduced rates. Notable gardens include Powerscourt, Mount Usher, and the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin. The scheme is similar to the RHS Partner Garden network but tailored to Irish horticulture.
Why this matters: if you’re an RHS member planning a trip to Ireland, you can’t use your RHS card at RHSI gardens — but you can join the RHSI separately for reciprocal benefits.
RHS members get a remarkable deal: free entry to five flagship gardens plus 220 partner gardens, making membership a no-brainer for anyone who visits more than two gardens a year. The catch is that partner garden access is seasonal and varies by location — always check ahead.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- RHS has five main gardens: Wisley, Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor, Bridgewater (RHS member benefits page)
- RHS membership gives free entry to all five main gardens and 220 Partner Gardens (RHS Members’ Handbook 2024)
- Kew Gardens is larger than RHS Wisley (330 vs 240 acres) (Wikipedia)
- RHS Garden Bridgewater is the newest (opened 2021) (Wikipedia)
- RHSI is the Irish equivalent of RHS (RHSI official site)
What’s unclear
- Which RHS garden is objectively “best” is subjective
- Exact opening hours vary by garden and season; check the official RHS website for current times
These confirmed facts provide a solid basis for planning your visit.
“Beautiful open gardens to visit in the UK” — RHS.org.uk, describing the RHS main gardens
— RHS (UK’s leading horticultural charity)
“Bridgewater opened in 2021 in Salford, Greater Manchester, on the site of Worsley New Hall.”
— Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)
“Members can enjoy free days out at 220 RHS Partner Gardens in the UK and overseas at selected times.”
— RHS Members’ Handbook 2024 (official guide)
For UK gardeners who visit more than two gardens a year, the choice is clear: RHS membership pays for itself in entry fees alone. For occasional visitors, a single day ticket to Wisley or Bridgewater is a more economical option. The 220 Partner Gardens add enormous value for members who travel around the country.
Note: Opening hours vary by season and garden. Always verify on the RHS website before visiting.
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Frequently asked questions
Are RHS gardens free for National Trust members?
No. RHS gardens and National Trust gardens are separate organisations. A National Trust membership does not give free entry to RHS gardens, and vice versa.
Can I visit RHS gardens without a car?
Yes, but accessibility varies. Wisley has a bus stop nearby, and Bridgewater is close to Salford train station. Harlow Carr is a short walk from Harrogate station. Check the RHS website for each garden’s public transport options.
Do RHS gardens have cafes and restaurants?
All five main RHS gardens have on-site cafes and restaurants, ranging from casual coffee shops to full-service dining. Many also offer picnic areas.
Is there parking at RHS gardens?
Yes, each main RHS garden has a car park. Parking is free for members at most gardens, but non-members usually pay a small fee (typically £3–£5).
Can I bring a dog to RHS gardens?
Dogs are generally allowed in the gardens but must be kept on a lead. Some areas, such as glasshouses and plant centres, may have restrictions. Check the specific garden’s policy before visiting.
Do RHS members get discounts at plant centres?
Yes, RHS members receive a 10% discount at RHS plant centres. This applies to the on-site plant centres at all five main gardens.
How do I become an RHS member?
You can join online at the RHS website. Individual membership starts at £54 per year (2025). Joint membership (for two adults at the same address) is also available.
If you’re a history or art lover with a green thumb, you might also enjoy exploring the botanical photography of Karl Blossfeldt or the naturalist legacy of Beatrix Potter, both of whom shared a deep connection to the plant world.
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.