Update: 22 Sept 2023
On Saturday 14 October and Sunday 15 October RHS Garden Wisley and the Garden Centre will be closed to all visitors due to the A3 weekend closure, as part of the M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange roadworks.
National Highways are closing part of the A3 in both directions, from 9pm Friday 13 October to 5.30am Monday 16 October 2023, between the M25 and the A247/B2215 south of Ripley.
Because of this road closure, it is not possible to welcome our members and visitors to the garden that weekend. Therefore, we have taken the unfortunate decision to close on 14 and 15 October.
As well as the garden and garden centre being closed on 14 and 15 October, we have had to take the decision to cancel the Festival of Flavours event for the whole week. We are very disappointed that this event can no longer go ahead.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this closure may cause you
Update: 23 June 2023
Works by National Highways to improve road links at the M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange are continuing.
New garden entrance
As part of the National Highways M25/Junction 10 improvements, RHS Garden Wisley will have a new vehicle entrance 100m further down Wisley Lane opening on 12 July 2023.
We are working with National Highways to ensure our visitors are informed in advance of changes to their journey to the garden. We will endeavour to share travel updates and advice in advance as information becomes available.
RHS Garden Wisley remains fully open and is signposted along the route. We look forward to welcoming you to the garden.
Download the new Wisley new entrance map (411kB pdf)
Traffic management
A3 – Ockham roundabout to M25 :
From mid-June 2023, there will be a dedicated lane for drivers heading towards RHS Garden Wisley from the Ockham roundabout.
Although the number of lanes will not change, lane 1, after RHS Garden Wisley, will be used for M25 traffic towards Heathrow only. Lane 2 will be used for both M25 traffic towards Gatwick and A3 journeys towards LondonM25 junction 10 roundabout
M25/Junction 10 roundabout:
Once traffic management on the approaches has been installed and visitors are used to the new layout, the outer lane will be closed to tie in with the dedicated lanes.
To find out more information about the project, please visit the National Highways website, email [email protected], or call on 0300 123 5000 with any questions you may have.
Questions and answers
Q: What is happening on the A3 and why?
A: National Highways is undertaking a scheme to improve road links at the M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange which started in November 2022 following initial preparation works. The scheme is scheduled to complete in summer 2025. More information about the scheme and why it is happening can be found at the National Highways website.
If you have any questions about the scheme, please get in touch with National Highways on 0300 123 5000 or [email protected].
Q: How will it affect my visit to Wisley?
A: RHS Garden Wisley will try to remain open as normal throughout and we look forward to welcoming you. The RHS is working closely with National Highways to minimise disruption to visitor journeys but at times you may need to allow a little extra time to complete your journey. We will update our website and social media to let you know, and you can find the latest updates on the National Highways website.
Q: How long will it take?
A: Work began in November 2022 and the scheme is scheduled to complete in summer 2025. For further updates on the progress of the works, please visit the National Highways website.
Q: Will Wisley be closed during the work?
A: RHS Garden Wisley will try to remain open as normal throughout and we look forward to welcoming you. If the garden needs to close due to road closures we will update our website and social media to let you know.
Q: What can I do to support the RHS in opposing these plans?
A: Following the Secretary of State for Transport’s decision to grant final approval for the M25 Junction 10/A3 Wisley Interchange Development Consent Order in May 2022, work has now begun. The RHS and its supporters have done all we can to minimise negative impacts on the garden, and we are grateful to everyone who signed our petition and helped alter the original plans.
The RHS will continue to work closely with National Highways and other stakeholders throughout the project to provide regular updates and minimise disruption for those wishing to visit the garden. The RHS has also offered support and advice to National Highways with their plans to improve biodiversity in the wider area as part of the scheme. For the latest information, please visit the National Highways website.
Q: Will I get a discount on my membership/entry ticket?
A: No. RHS Garden Wisley will try to remain open throughout the works to the M25 junction 10/A3 interchange and both members and non-members will be able to visit the garden as normal. Every RHS Membership and ticket sold raises vital funds for our work as the UK’s gardening charity, and we are grateful for the continued support of our members and visitors.
Q: Are National Highways going to cut down trees in the garden/take land from Wisley?
A: A section of former RHS land outside the garden is being used to create a new entrance along the A3 boundary and onto Wisley Lane as part of the approved plans. We are aware that some trees in this area will be felled to make way for the new overbridge.
We are reassured that National Highways has a robust environmental mitigation programme in place to restore heathland habitat and this will include extensive tree planting. For more information about this work please contact National Highways on 0300 123 5000 or [email protected] or see the National Highways Habitats factsheet.
Earlier proposals would have placed a number of important trees along our boundary with the A3 at risk, including several Grade II and Grade II* Heritage Trees, which were threatened by felling or compromising root health during the development. Thanks to our campaign, which saw more than 134,000 people sign a petition opposing the proposals, the scheme was altered and these important trees have been saved.
