Discover RHS Wisley, one of Surrey's most loved gardens

RHS Wisley is our choice for this week’s (not so) Secret Garden.

 Above: Echinacea flowers at RHS Wisley

The gardens were originally created in 1878 by George Fergusson Wilson, whose idea was to make ‘difficult plants grow successfully’ in an experimental garden. It became part of the RHS in 1903, where it has remained a site for learning and horticultural education.

Above: the large building looks like a stately Tudor home, but is actually a laboratory where RHS scientists work. 

Last year the new gardening science centre, RHS Hilltop, opened its doors. This is the UK’s first dedicated hub for gardening science, and is accompanied by three new gardens - each designed by RHS Chelsea Gold Medal winners.

There is much to discover within the garden’s 240 acres of land. 

Above: the rare Doryanthes palmeri rosette at the end of flower in 2019, its first flower for 18 years

The giant Glasshouse contains plants from all over the world. One of the highlights is the rarely seen spear lily Doryanthes palmeri, which has been in the collection since 2001. Each rosette only flowers once in its lifetime, and dies after flowering. The plant will produce new rosettes which can take up to 13 years to flower!

The garden is also home to many sculptures and art forms.

Above: The ‘Fishing Bear’ statue by John Kessler, whose stone sculptures provide an observational lens into nature and the wild. The bear is frozen in time, catching a fish, as if from the running stream next to it.

Above: ‘Diving Girl’ by Dawn Conn

 Above: the hippo in the Glasshouse

Walking through the Exotic Garden transports you to a faraway time and place, with large, vibrant plants that you wouldn’t expect to see growing in the UK.

Above: The Exotic Garden

The garden showcases the wide range of tropical plants which can be grown outdoors in UK gardens. In the winter, plants like the Japanese banana (Musa banjo) are wrapped in straw to protect them from freezing temperatures.

What will you discover there? 

How to get to RHS Wisley

RHS Garden Wisley, 
Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB

Travel: Car parking is available at the garden, free of charge.

If you're planning to travel by train, the nearest stations to the garden are West Byfleet (4 miles), Woking (6 miles) and Guildford (8 miles). There is a direct shuttle bus departing from Woking Station. Tickets cost £4 for an adult return, and can be purchased on the bus.

You can take the 715 bus that runs between Kingston and Guildford. The nearest bus stops to the garden are located on the A3, and have limited accessibility, including a pedestrian footbridge across the A3 and a 15/20 minute walk.

Entry: £18.20 (including Gift Aid) for an adult ticket. If you travel without a car, you can benefit from discounted entry (£12.70).

Opening times: Monday-Friday 10am-4.30pm, or Saturday-Sunday 9am-4.30pm. The glasshouse, garden centre and restaurant have individual opening times.

Visit the RHS website for more information on travel and opening times.