RHS Partner Gardens championing wildlife

Horticulture and wildlife go hand in hand. Encouraging wildlife in the garden and choosing plantings that create habitats for a variety of species is a way of deepen our connection to nature. Discover a selection of RHS Partner Gardens that have transformed their outdoor spaces into thriving havens for wildlife.

Doddington Hall & Gardens, Lincolnshire

A new wildlife cutting garden by floral artist Rachel Petheram of Catkin Flowers is the latest addition to Doddington Hall & Gardens.

The original cutting garden consisted of some permanent planting of herbs and roses, with the main productive elements being

Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season. They are generally easy to grow from seed or can be bought as young plants from garden centres. Annuals are ideal for growing in summer containers and filling gaps in borders. Some examples of annuals include sunflowers, cosmos, sweet peas and zinnia.

© Doddington Hall & Gardens

© Doddington Hall & Gardens

© Doddington Hall & Gardens

In the new wildlife cutting garden, the planting is dense, protecting the soil and providing places for wildlife to hide. Structures built using logs and whippy stems from the estate add an architectural element and offer additional shelter. Insect ‘towers’ have been filled with materials of varying sizes from the garden – logs from the woods, apple prunings from the kitchen garden and dead stems of grasses – and reclaimed weathered oak posts with drilled holes provide nesting places for solitary bees.

“We have added water in the garden, both in a Corten steel dish and on top of the habitat towers for the birds. To our delight, we discovered a hedgehog in the garden, so will be creating a small ephemeral pool for them – and for whoever wants to use it!” said Rachel.

• Free days out for RHS Members in 2026: (Gardens only) Wednesday – Sunday, 4 February – 24 July and 9 – 30 September. Daily, October
• Find out more at Doddington Hall & Gardens

Wentworth Garden Centre, South Yorkshire

© Wentworth Garden Centre

Home to a menagerie of animals and birds in the 18th century – including buffalo, kangaroos and even an American bear and emu – Wentworth Garden Centre is a place where you can spot fallow and red deer among other

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.

• Free days out for RHS Members in 2026: When open (closed 1 January, Easter Sunday and 25 – 26 December)

• Find out more at Wentworth Garden Centre and Historic Gardens

Cambo Gardens, Fife

© Cambo Gardens

Alongside its walled garden and famous snowdrop walks, Cambo Gardens introduced an abundance of wildlife-friendly planting to the estate in 2025. Children will enjoy searching for bugs and small creatures in the Lost Elf Village and, if they look hard enough, they may even spot the mythical wildlife creatures Glingbob or Tootflits. Adding to the charm of the estate are the Tamworth pigs, Skyrian ponies and the annual litter of adorable piglets.

• Free days out for RHS Members in 2026: Wednesday – Thursday, when open
• Find out more at Cambo Garden

Natural Surroundings, Norfolk

© Natural Surroundings

Natural Surroundings’ mission is to champion wildlife and promote wildlife-friendly gardening. Set in north Norfolk, the site boasts a rich diversity of plants and wildlife to delight and inspire.

Keep an eye out for the resident harvest mice in their special wooden chalet, originally built as an accommodation for soldiers during the First World War and now used for workshops and public events.

“Many people visit our gardens especially to see the harvest mice, whose population is poorly known in England and hard to spot in the wild,” said Simon Harrap, owner of the estate with his wife Anne – who established Natural Surroundings 35 years ago.

Their goal is to promote wildlife-friendly gardening and foster an interest in UK plants. “We always try to manage the garden in a wildlife-friendly manner, so without cutting everything down,” said Simon.

“We try to encourage people not to obsessively tidy in their gardens: if you have a fairly large garden next to an open area, there is possibility that harvest mice will come to visit.”

• Free days out for RHS Members in 2026: When open (closed on Mondays)
• ​Find out more at Natural Surroundings

Hestercombe Gardens, Somerset

© Hestercombe

Hestercombe provides a fantastic place for a wide variety of UK native animals to thrive. Look out for roe deer, common lizards and bats, including horseshoe, pipistrelle and brown long-eared bats, which the garden supports by planting a mixture of native shrubs and broadleaf trees. Be sure to pick up the wildlife spotting sheet when you visit!

• Free days out for RHS Members in 2026: Daily, January – March and October – December. Monday – Tuesday only, April – September
• Find out more at Hestercombe Gardens

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, West Sussex

© Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens

Explore the winding path, ancient woodlands and seven lakes at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, encountering a diverse array of wildlife, including a rare wallaby colony, over 100 free-roaming deer, carp, and many birds, such as kingfishers, wild mandarin ducks, nuthatches and treecreepers, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.

• Free days out for RHS Members in 2026: Daily, January – February, July – September and December. Monday – Tuesday, when open, March – June and October – November (excluding bank holidays)
• Find out more at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens

Please check the gardens’ websites before you visit, as times and access may change.