Forget the frosty weather and head outdoors this winter to enjoy the full programme of events set to keep visitors busy throughout the season at the four Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Gardens: RHS Garden Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire; RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex; RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon; and RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey.
Activities range from stories with Santa to craft events, and from seasonal shopping to a houseplant takeover in the glasshouse – there’s something for everyone.
December
14 November 2019 – 4 January 2020: Glow, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Follow the fabulous garden illuminations of trees, shrubs, sculptures on a route that will take in the brand new Cool Garden and back by demand the fabulous illumination of the Lake. (Thurs – Sat except Boxing Day). www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
7 November 2019 – 31 January 2020: Winter Sculpture Exhibition, RHS Garden Rosemoor
The surprising colour, scent and texture of the Garden in winter provides the perfect backdrop for the annual sculpture trail. All sculptures are sourced from UK-based artists and will feature old favourites, George Hider and Paul Harvey alongside new exhibitors, such as Stan Jankowski whose copper and brass kinetic pieces include one specially commissioned for the garden. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
21 November – 28 December: ‘Glow’, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
See Harlow Carr all aglow this winter as special lighting effects bring a touch of magic to the most northerly RHS garden in Harrogate. Enjoy an illuminated trail around the magnificent trees and shrubs as dusk falls and see the lake, Winter Walk, Streamside, Doric columns and Alpine House all aglow. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
29 November – 1 December, 6-8, 13–15 and 20–24 December: Stories with Santa, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Snuggle up for a classic Christmas tale, have a sing-along and a story with the man himself and if you have been very good, receive a small gift. Tickets for Stories with Santa go on sale on 16 September and must be booked in advance at www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
29 November – 1 December, 6 – 8, 13–15 and 20–24 December: The Magic of Christmas, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Put on your best Christmas jumper, get in the festive spirit on the Christmas trail and enjoy fun indoor Christmas activities. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
29 November – 1 December and 6 – 8 December: Children’s Magic of Christmas, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Welcome in the festive season with a special Christmas story and the chance to meet the man himself. www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall
29 November – 1 December and 6 – 8 December: Christmas Gift Fair Weekend, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Find unique and unusual presents for your loved ones this Christmas from a wide range of artists and craftsmen. All items 100% handmade. www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall
7 December – 5 January: Glow, RHS Garden Wisley
Drink in the festive atmosphere and follow the illuminated trail around the garden after dark to discover botanical displays in a new light. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
2 December: Willow Christmas Tree Weaving, RHS Garden Wisley
Expert willow weaver, Nicki Rowling will teach you how to weave a traditional Christmas tree which can be used as a beautiful, rustic decoration to dress your home for the festive season. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
2 – 20 December: Weekday Christmas Lunches, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Enjoy a delicious festive lunch in the magical surroundings of Hyde Hall. You’ll be sure of a warm welcome, delicious food and a cosy atmosphere. www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall
5 December: Children’s Storytime, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Bring your little ones along to Harlow Carr’s Library for a 10.30am seasonal storytelling session. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable for under-fives. Normal garden admission. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
12 December: Explore Rosemoor’s Woodlands, RHS Garden Rosemoor
At Rosemoor, we are fortunate to be surrounded by a stunning backdrop of trees within our wooded valley, the majority of which is not yet open to our visitors. This walk will highlight the work we are doing to transform and maintain our diverse woodland plantings across the site. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
14 December: Magic of Christmas Craft and Food Fair, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Join us for a magical fair full of temptation and delights at RHS Garden Rosemoor. This is a special place to come and buy those unique and wonderful gifts from a mixture of food and craft stalls in the Garden Room. With carefully selected artisan traders from around the West Country, there is sure to be something for everyone. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
14 December: Contemporary Christmas Wreaths, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Create something different with this modern take on a festive decoration classic. In this workshop you can make your own contemporary twig door wreath or heart using twigs, luscious foliage, sumptuous ribbons and a whole heap of Christmas cheer. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
20 December 2019 – 23 December 2019: Magic of Christmas Santa Experience, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Santa will be at Rosemoor to entertain families with a festive story telling session in his magical workshop theatre. He will be joined by his Elves in this wonderful festive Christmas Workshop. Families will have the opportunity to meet the big man himself. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
January
4 January – 13 February 2020: Japanese Art Exhibition & Pop Up Shop, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Browse and buy stunning landscape prints made in Japan using traditional Japanese woodblock printing techniques as Harlow Carr hosts its second Japanese Art Exhibition in the historic Bath House. This year we feature a unique collection of authentic Japanese woodblock prints by Master Katsushika Hokusai (1760 to 1849), known for best-known for his series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. The show will also feature a ‘pop up shop’ selling a variety of authentic Japanese gifts. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
6 January – 29 February: Embroidering Harlow Carr – The Four Seasons, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Head to Harlow Carr’s Library to see four bespoke embroidery panels depicting garden scenes from each season. Each piece has been produced by talented members of the Richmond & Leyburn branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild and this is the first time visitors can see all four seasonal panels together. Normal garden admission. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
25 January – 1 March: Giant Houseplant Takeover in the Glasshouse, RHS Garden Wisley
Step into a house reclaimed by its plants long after its human inhabitants have left. A banana has pushed through the roof, carnivorous plants feast in the dining room and cacti play chess. A few plants have grown rather too large and tower over their relatives. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
February
2 & 3 February: Snowdrop Weekend, RHS Garden Rosemoor
A celebration of British Snowdrops, featuring rare varieties from British growers. Join us on a spectacular Snowdrop walk around the gardens. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
8 February: British Iris Society Early Spring Show, RHS Garden Wisley
Join the British Iris Society for their Early Spring Show. Visitors can enjoy rare iris displays and competition classes of early spring-flowering iris as well as a photographic exhibition, free tours, plants for sale and friendly experts available to answer your questions. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
9 February: Creative Crafters Trade Show, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Get ready for the craft and design season with North Devon’s first craft suppliers show. With a wide range of craft suppliers and expert knowledge there will be something for everyone, including a chance to try and learn a new skill with our demonstrators. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
15 February 2020: Elton Unleashed, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Join us for a night of classic Elton John music performed by Jimmy Love, regarded as one of the best impersonators in the world today. Jimmy aims to deliver the most dignified and accurate representation of the music of Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
16 February 2020: Glenn Miller and the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Glenn Miller and the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra has wowed audiences in Concert Halls and Theatres all over Great Britain. In addition to the mix of Big Band Swing teamed with outstanding vocals, there will be solos spots from a number of top notch musicians and fabulous renditions from our Star vocalist. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
15 – 23 February: ‘Whatever the Weather’ Half Term Activities, All RHS Gardens
Youngsters can enjoy a range of fun all-weather activities including a chance to make sun catchers and wind socks during half term and discover more about the wild weather of the UK on a daily garden trail.
15 February – 1 March: Bath House Gallery – Mosaic Exhibition & Pop Up Shop, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Discover the world of modern mosaic at Harlow Carr’s historic Bath House. Works by over 20 Yorkshire-based mosaic artists, all members of the British Association for Modern Mosaic, will be on show and a variety of mosaic ‘pictures’ will be available to browse and buy from 10am-4pm. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
Opening times and ticket prices may vary by event. Full details can be found at www.rhs.org.uk
RHS members enjoy free entry to RHS Gardens and discounted entry to RHS Flower Shows.
About RHS Gardens
The RHS has four gardens:
RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8ET
www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall
RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 1QB
www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
About the RHS
The Royal Horticultural Society, the world’s leading gardening charity, was founded in 1804 by Sir Joseph Banks and John Wedgwood. Our vision is to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. This aspiration underpins all that we do, from inspirational gardens and shows, through our scientific research, to our education and community programmes such as Campaign for School Gardening and Britain in Bloom. We produce key publications, hold a world-class collection of horticultural books and botanical art, and sell the very best plants and gardening gifts.
The RHS is fundraising £40m to transform our gardens, outreach and education facilities, which includes redeveloping our flagship RHS Garden Wisley and opening a new garden, RHS Garden Bridgewater, in 2020. We are solely funded by our members, visitors and supporters. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk.
