RHS Gardens Guide: Prices, Membership, and Which to Visit

Few things spark as much debate among British gardeners as which RHS garden to visit, and with five main gardens spread across England, each offering something distinct, choosing where to spend a day out can feel surprisingly complicated. This guide breaks down what each garden offers, what membership really costs, and how to pick the right one for your priorities — whether that’s sprawling borders, family-friendly trails, or a rare rose collection.

Number of main RHS gardens: 5 ·
Largest RHS garden: RHS Wisley (240 acres) ·
Newest RHS garden: RHS Bridgewater (opened 2021) ·
RHS membership cost per year: from £49.50

Five gardens, two centuries of horticultural history, and one big trade-off: each RHS garden has a distinct personality shaped by its age, size, and purpose.

What are the 5 main RHS gardens?

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) owns and operates five main gardens across England, each with a distinct character shaped by its location, size, and history (RHS Gardens).

Where are the RHS gardens located?

• RHS Wisley — Surrey (south-east England); 240 acres; founded 1878 (RHS Wisley)
• RHS Harlow Carr — North Yorkshire; 58 acres; opened to the public as an RHS garden in 1950 (RHS Harlow Carr)
• RHS Rosemoor — Devon (south-west); 100 acres; gifted to the RHS in 1988 (RHS Rosemoor)
• RHS Hyde Hall — Essex (east); 360 acres; became an RHS garden in 1993 (RHS Hyde Hall)
• RHS Bridgewater — Salford, Greater Manchester (north-west); 150 acres; opened 18 May 2021 (RHS Bridgewater)

The implication: geography heavily influences your choice. Northern visitors will find Bridgewater and Harlow Carr most accessible, while southerners can reach Wisley, Hyde Hall, or Rosemoor with relative ease.

Which is the oldest RHS garden?

RHS Wisley is the oldest RHS garden, founded in 1878 by the RHS on a 60-acre site that has since grown to 240 acres (RHS Wisley History). It also houses the RHS’s main research facilities and the Lindley Library.

The implication: if you want to see where British horticultural science began, Wisley is the only choice. Its age means mature plant collections — including an extensive rock garden and the UK’s largest collection of rhododendrons under glass (RHS Wisley).

Which is the newest RHS garden?

RHS Bridgewater is the newest, opened on 18 May 2021 after a five-year restoration project on a former Victorian estate (RHS Bridgewater). At 150 acres, it’s the second-largest RHS garden by size.

How much is entry to RHS Gardens?

Entry prices vary by garden, but adult day tickets range from £12 to £18 depending on the garden, with children under 5 free and family tickets available. RHS members get free entry to all RHS gardens, making membership a clear value proposition for anyone planning two or more visits per year (RHS Join).

What is the price difference for non-members?

Non-member adult day ticket prices (as of mid-2025):

• RHS Wisley — £18 per adult
• RHS Harlow Carr — £15 per adult
• RHS Rosemoor — £13 per adult
• RHS Hyde Hall — £14 per adult
• RHS Bridgewater — £12 per adult

All prices are for standard peak entry (RHS Garden Tickets). Pre-booking online is required. Member entry is free at all five gardens.

Are there discounts for families or groups?

Yes — family tickets (2 adults + up to 2 children) are available at most gardens for around £45-55. Children aged 5-15 typically pay £5-8 per entry (RHS Garden Tickets). Children under 5 are free. Group bookings of 10+ may receive a small discount, though this varies by garden.

The catch: membership prices fluctuate with promotions. Official standard rates are £79.99 for individual and £119.99 for joint, but first-year direct debit offers can drop to £55.99 and £83.99 respectively (RHS Support individual, RHS Support joint). Always check the latest deal before committing.

Which is the biggest RHS garden?

RHS Wisley is the largest RHS garden at 240 acres. But that figure is misleading — Hyde Hall is actually larger (360 acres) if you include its surrounding farmland, though the cultivated garden area is smaller (RHS Hyde Hall). By cultivated garden area only, Wisley is the largest.

Which is bigger, RHS Wisley or Kew Gardens?

Kew Gardens is larger than RHS Wisley. Kew covers 326 acres (132 hectares) of gardens and glasshouses (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), compared to Wisley’s 240 acres. But Kew is not an RHS garden — it is a UNESCO World Heritage site run by the Royal Botanic Gardens, a separate organisation. Wisley is the largest garden in the RHS portfolio.

How does RHS Bridgewater compare in size?

RHS Bridgewater, at 150 acres, is the second-largest RHS garden by total site area (RHS Bridgewater). It’s roughly 40% smaller than Wisley in cultivated area but substantially larger than Harlow Carr (58 acres) and Rosemoor (100 acres).

What this means: if you want to cover every path in a half-day visit, choose Bridgewater or Harlow Carr. For an all-day expedition, Wisley or Hyde Hall deliver more ground to explore.

What is the best RHS garden?

The answer depends entirely on what you want from a garden visit. Below is a decision guide based on each garden’s standout feature. All five are excellent — but they’re excellent in different ways.

Which RHS garden is best for families?

RHS Harlow Carr is the strongest contender for families, with a dedicated children’s play area, a woodland adventure trail, and seasonal family events (RHS Harlow Carr). Its 58 acres are compact enough to explore in half a day without exhausting younger children.

The catch: if you have teenagers, RHS Bridgewater’s larger grounds and restored kitchen garden offer more variety without feeling like a “kids’ garden.”

Which RHS garden has the best rose collection?

RHS Rosemoor is the destination for rose enthusiasts, with a dedicated rose garden featuring over 2,000 varieties and an extensive collection of modern and historic cultivars (RHS Rosemoor). Its south-west location means a longer flowering season than gardens further north.

The trade-off: Rosemoor is small (100 acres). If you want roses and a massive landscape, Wisley’s rose garden is smaller but sits within its larger grounds.

Recommended garden by priority:

• Overall variety: RHS Wisley — largest collection of plants and glasshouses
• Family activities: RHS Harlow Carr — play areas and woodland trails
• Roses: RHS Rosemoor — 2,000+ varieties
• Modern design: RHS Hyde Hall — dry garden and contemporary borders
• History and restoration: RHS Bridgewater — Victorian kitchen garden and 2021 opening

The pattern is clear: there is no single “best” garden, only the best garden for your specific priorities. Match the garden’s strength to what you value most.

Can an RHS member take a guest for free?

Yes — RHS Individual membership includes free entry for the member plus a family guest or two children to all RHS gardens (RHS Join). Joint membership covers two named adults plus a family guest and four children.

Is RHS membership cheaper for over 60s?

The RHS does not offer a standard annual concession for over-60s. However, it does offer Senior Life Membership for people aged 60 and over — a one-time payment of £935 for an individual or £1,355 for a joint membership (RHS Membership). This works out roughly equivalent to 12 years of standard annual membership at current prices, making sense only for those who plan to visit for more than a decade.

What other benefits does RHS membership include?

• Free entry to all RHS gardens for the member and guest(s)
• Free or discounted entry to 200+ Partner Gardens across the UK (RHS Partner Gardens)
• Priority access and reduced-rate tickets to RHS Flower Shows (RHS Shows)
• Monthly copy of The Garden magazine
• Free personal seed packet upon joining (RHS Join)

“Members enjoy free entry to all RHS gardens, priority access to events, and exclusive reduced rate tickets to RHS Flower Shows.”

— RHS official membership page

The bottom line for most visitors: membership pays off quickly if you plan multiple visits. For a one-off day out, stick with a day ticket.

For those looking to explore beyond the five flagship sites, the RHS partner garden network offers access to over 200 additional locations across the UK.

Frequently asked questions

“RHS membership gives you unlimited visits to all RHS Gardens and can be accessed from £48.75 per year.”

— RHS Hyde Hall ticketing page (promotional frame)