RHS Partner Gardens terms and conditions

Terms for how the RHS Partner Garden Scheme works, including membership, free entry days, logo use and key obligations

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is a charity registered in England and Wales (Reg. No. 222879/ SC038262) with a registered address at 80 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PE. In these terms and conditions (Terms), the RHS may be referred to as we, us or our, and the RHS Partner Garden as you.

1.1 – To join the Scheme, a garden must meet the Selection Criteria for becoming an RHS Partner Garden. If a garden meets the Selection Criteria, we use the Selection Process to create a shortlist. The RHS Partner Garden Manager will send a confirmation email to each garden that is successful in its application.

2.1 – Each RHS Partner Garden must complete the annual information collection survey to confirm the dates on which you will allow RHS Members free entry to your RHS Partner Garden. You must meet these free-entry access dates unless you agree to changes in writing in advance with the RHS Partner Garden Manager.

2.2 – You must submit the completed annual information collection survey by the deadline notified to you by the RHS each year. The RHS may, at its discretion, decline to include or promote any RHS Partner Garden in the Scheme where the required information is not provided by the specified deadline.

2.3 – You must ensure that the information you provide to us regarding free entry access dates, and opening and closing dates and times, is accurate. We are not responsible if we publish incorrect information that you have provided.

2.4 – While we will use reasonable care in publishing information about your RHS Partner Garden, we will not be liable for any errors or omissions in such information. You must promptly notify us of any inaccuracies, and we will use reasonable endeavours to correct them in future publications and, where appropriate, online.

2.5 – We recognise that unforeseen circumstances may sometimes require changes to your RHS Partner Garden’s opening or closing dates or times. However, you agree that you will, to the fullest extent reasonably practicable, maintain and honour the free‑entry access dates for RHS Members notified in the annual information collection survey.

3.1 – During each calendar year of your membership of the Scheme, you will allow RHS Members with an asterisk (*) on the back of their membership cards to have free entry to your RHS Partner Garden. This includes:

a) Individual members;

b) One person from a Joint membership (all other persons on the membership will need to pay the applicable entry fee);

c) One person with Student membership;

d) One person from an Individual Life membership; and

e) Both members with Joint Life and Senior Joint Life membership

3.2 – Free entry does not apply to:

a) Guests (RHS Gardens offer free entry to an RHS Member’s family guest but this does not apply to RHS Partner Gardens);

b) Group entry (free entry does not apply to RHS Members travelling as part of an organised group - allowing free entry is at the RHS Partner Garden’s discretion);

c) Houses, castles, palaces and other venues unless otherwise stated; and

d) Special events such as National Garden Scheme days, fairs, exhibitions and shows unless otherwise stated

3.3 – Carers: You acknowledge that free entry to RHS Partner Gardens is intended to be accessible to all RHS Members. In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and the duty to make reasonable adjustments, you agree to permit free entry for one essential carer accompanying an RHS Member whose disability necessitates such support. This applies whether or not the RHS Member’s disability is visible and aligns with the policy applied at RHS Gardens.

3.4 – If the RHS introduces new membership categories in the future, these may also include eligibility for free entry to RHS Partner Gardens. Unless otherwise notified by the RHS, such membership categories will entitle one individual per membership to free entry in accordance with this paragraph 3. The RHS will use reasonable endeavours to notify you in advance of any changes to membership categories that affect free entry to RHS Partner Gardens.

4.1 – In recognition of the free entry that you offer to RHS Members, we provide Partner Gardens with the benefits set out in the RHS Partner Gardens’ Scheme Benefits.

4.2 – You must continue to meet the requirements detailed in the Selection Criteria.

4.3 – Conduct: You must ensure that any activities of the RHS Partner Garden comply with all applicable laws, codes of practice and generally accepted industry standards and practices. You must not do anything that, in our reasonable opinion:

a) Does not align with the aims of the RHS, strategy or policies; or

b) May bring the RHS or the Scheme into disrepute or damage their reputation or goodwill.

5.1 – Once you have joined, your membership of the Scheme is ongoing unless it is ended as set out in this paragraph 5.

5.2 – You acknowledge that membership of the Scheme is intended to run for a full calendar year. Early withdrawal from the Scheme may disrupt the planning and public communications of the RHS. The RHS may decline future applications from any garden that has previously withdrawn from the Scheme before the end of a calendar year.

5.3 – You may give written notice to us to end your membership of the Scheme. This notice must be given by 31 July and will take effect at the end of that calendar year.

5.4 – We may give you written notice by 31 July to end your membership at the end of that calendar year where we reasonably consider that your RHS Partner Garden is no longer a suitable or valuable participant in the Scheme. This may include, without limitation:

a) Where there is persistently low RHS Member visitation;

b) Where we reasonably consider that the RHS Partner Garden no longer meets the Selection Criteria;

c) Where, following a garden visit, we reasonably consider that the Partner Garden no longer meets the standards set out in the Selection Criteria; or

d) Where there has been a lack of reasonable engagement with the Scheme and its requirements.

5.5 – You must notify us promptly if your RHS Partner Garden is for sale. In such circumstances, we may end your membership of the Scheme or suspend it for a specified period.

5.6 – We may end your membership of the Scheme by giving you written notice with immediate effect if we reasonably consider that our association with your RHS Partner Garden does not align with the aims of the RHS, strategy or policies, or may bring the RHS or the Scheme into disrepute or otherwise damage the goodwill or reputation of the RHS or the Scheme.

5.7 – We may suspend or end the Scheme at any time and, where practicable, we will provide you with reasonable notice.

6.1 – All Partner Gardens that have supplied to the RHS the required information for the Competition for that calendar year, including their previous year’s total visitor numbers, will be entered into the Competition unless:

a) Your RHS Partner Garden is hosting an RHS Flower Show that year;

b) You have notified us before the date that the online public vote commences of your decision to leave the Scheme at or before the end of that year;

c) Your RHS Partner Garden is for sale on or between 1 March and the date the online public vote commences; or

d) You are a previous winner of the Competition, in which case you will be ineligible for the following two years.

6.2 – All RHS Partner Gardens that submit an entry to the Competition will be included in an online public voting form on the RHS website. The opening and closing dates for that year’s online voting will also be published on the RHS website.

6.3 – Each year, the winners will be determined based on the results of the online public vote, as verified by the RHS. The RHS will announce the winners and the RHS’s decision is final.

6.4 – Six Partner Gardens will be selected as regional winners for:

a) Scotland and Northern Ireland;

b) North of England (North West, North East);

c) Midlands and East;

d) South West and Wales;

e) South (South East, Channel Islands); and

f) Overseas

6.5 – The regional winner that receives the highest number of online public votes will be designated as the overall winner. The overall winner must be a UK RHS Partner Garden.

6.6 – The regional winners will each receive a trophy and the RHS will arrange a photoshoot of the RHS Partner Garden for each of the UK regional winners.

6.7 – We may publish the details of the winners on the RHS website, in the RHS Members magazine The Garden and in other RHS media. We may use the names and images of each RHS Partner Garden selected as a winner as publicity for the Competition and the Scheme in that year and subsequent years.

6.8 – The brand and logos for the winners of the RHS Partner Garden of the Year may only be used by a winning RHS Partner Garden and strictly in accordance with the Partner Garden of the Year brand guidelines and the terms set out in paragraph 7.

6.9 – We may end, suspend, withdraw or vary the Competition, whether temporarily or permanently, at any time. Where practicable, we will announce the ending, suspension, withdrawal or variation with reasonable notice to you.

7.1 – You may use the RHS Partner Garden Logo and the RHS name only in relation to your RHS Partner Garden and its participation in the Scheme for so long as the RHS Partner Garden is a member of the Scheme.

7.2 – You must not use the RHS Partner Garden Logo and the RHS name:

a) For any other purpose, including in connection with any other activities of the RHS Partner Garden, such as any event, project, activity or commercial arrangement that is unrelated to the Scheme, or on any products, product labels or packaging, uniforms or vehicles; and/or

b) In any manner that suggests or implies that there is any association or connection between the RHS and Partner Garden beyond the Partner Garden’s participation in the Scheme.

7.3 – You must also not permit, allow or enable any third party to use the RHS Partner Garden Logo or the RHS name or anything confusingly similar to them.

7.4 – Your use of the RHS Partner Garden Logo must be in the form, style, size and colours set out in any guidelines provided by the RHS.

7.5 – You must not use any RHS marks, logos or branding, other than the RHS Partner Garden Logo and the RHS name.

7.6 – On written notice, we may terminate your right to use the RHS Partner Garden Logo and the RHS name if we reasonably consider that you have not complied with this paragraph 7 or these Terms. On receipt of such notice, you must immediately cease all use of the RHS Partner Garden Logo and the RHS name. We may amend any guidelines relating to the use of the RHS Partner Garden Logo and the RHS name from time to time, and you agree to comply with the most current version made available to you.

7.7 – Brand descriptors and promotional wording: The RHS will provide you with approved wording or descriptive text relating to the Scheme (Brand Descriptors). Where you refer to the Scheme, or your participation in the Scheme, in any marketing materials or public communications, you must use at least one of the Brand Descriptors to ensure consistency and accuracy. You must not alter the Brand Descriptors or use alternative wording without the RHS’s prior written consent.

7.8 – The RHS may update the Brand Descriptors from time to time, and you agree to use the most current version made available to you.

8.1 – You allow us to use your RHS Partner Garden’s name, provided garden information and logos in connection with your Partner Garden, the Scheme and our activities.

8.2 – Separate terms apply to any photographs or any digital asset that you submit to us in connection with the Scheme. Their use will be governed by the Image Rights Form issued by the RHS each calendar year.

9.1 – We are not liable to you for any indirect or consequential losses, or any loss of profit, revenue, anticipated savings or goodwill in connection with your participation in the Scheme, whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability which cannot legally be limited, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence. Subject to the above, our total liability to you is limited to £1,000.

9.2 – You agree to indemnify us against all liabilities, costs, expenses, damages and losses that we suffer or incur from or in connection with any third-party claim made against us in connection with your participation in the Scheme.

10.1 – We may change these Terms from time to time. We will publish the current Terms in the RHS Partner Garden Toolkit online on the RHS website. Please check the RHS Partner Garden Toolkit to access the current Terms.

11.1 – By becoming a RHS Partner Garden, you agree to us using contact details that you supply to us (including in the RHS Partner Garden application form and as part of the annual information collection survey) in order to: manage the relationship; include the RHS Partner Garden in the RHS Members’ Handbook, the RHS Members’ magazine The Garden and on the RHS website; and to share news relating to RHS Gardens, events, products, services and fundraising. Please read our full RHS Privacy Policy to find out more about how we use your personal data and how to exercise your rights under the applicable data protection legislation.

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