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RHS Gardens Winter Activity Programme: December 2023 – February 2024

The RHS Gardens are offering visitors a host of seasonal activities this winter to make the most of the festive period and the early months of the new year.

From a Christmas Craft and Food Fair and RHS Glow, to Winter Sculpture exhibitions, there are many activities to enjoy at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Greater Manchester, RHS Garden Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire, RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex, RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon and RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey.

For full listings, please visit www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/whats-on-at-rhs-gardens or contact the RHS Press Office at [email protected]

Please check the RHS website for the latest information as event listings are subject to change. 

December
All Gardens:
  • RHS Glow
The sell-out Glow event returns to all five RHS gardens this winter. See the gardens in a whole new light, as twinkling trails and colourful displays illuminate sculptural trees and winter blooms as dusk falls.
 
RHS Garden Bridgewater: 15 November – 30 December*
RHS Garden Harlow Carr: 22 November – 30 December*
RHS Garden Hyde Hall: 23 November – 30 December*
RHS Garden Rosemoor: 16 November – 30 December*
RHS Garden Wisley: 24 November – 2 January 2024*
 
Times and activities vary per garden, check the website for more information, *Selected days

RHS Garden Bridgewater:
  • Fruit Full Exhibition by Françoise Sergy, 8 Sep – 1 January 2024
Learn all about why we like sugar so much through the art and science project Fruit Full by photography artist Françoise Sergy. The project is a partnership between an artist, nutrition scientists, fruit growers and jam makers.

RHS Garden Harlow Carr:
  • Storytime, 5 December
Children can enjoy a storytelling session in the Library at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, where tales of great garden adventures and little garden creatures will be told. Each story time has a different seasonal theme and includes sing-along nursery rhymes. 
 
  • Bath House Exhibition – Handmade Christmas Crafts, 26 October – 22 December
Discover a stunning selection of works for the Christmas Crafts display in the Bath House at RHS Garden Harlow Carr. Local talented artists, crafters and designers showcase their Christmas designs and locally handcrafted pieces as part of the display – it's the perfect place to stock up on seasonal treats for family and friends.

RHS Garden Hyde Hall:
  • Aesop’s Fables sculpture exhibition, 1 November – 31 December
Discover a striking collection of animal sculptures based on the world-famous tales, Aesop’s Fables.
 
  • Seasonal Walks, 12 December
Explore the grounds of RHS Garden Hyde Hall on a guided walk with the gardens team, taking in the seasonal highlights of the garden and estate.
 
  • Weekday Christmas Lunches, 4 – 20 December
Enjoy a delicious festive lunch in the magic surroundings of RHS Garden Hyde Hall where you can be sure of a warm welcome, delicious food and a cosy atmosphere. Perfect for a pre-Christmas catch up with family and friends.

RHS Garden Rosemoor:
  • Winter Sculpture Exhibition, 11 November - 31 January
See the low, bright sunlight create long shadows cast by a specially curated collection of inspirational artwork by local and national sculptors, set against the backdrop of winter colour and texture.
 
  • Magic of Christmas Craft & Food Fair, 2 - 3 December
Come and buy unique gifts and delicious treats from a wide variety carefully selected artisan traders from around the West Country in the Garden Room.
 
  • Jack and the Beanstalk: Christmas Pantomime, 10 December
Join Jack on his adventure as he climbs the beanstalk to an enchanted land where he must rescue his friends and family from the ‘Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum’ of one very hungry giant!
 
  • Christmas Concert, 16th December
Go back in time and enjoy a wonderful evening of carol singing complemented by mince pies, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, plus a guest appearance from Father Christmas.
 
  • Children’s Christmas Party, 21st – 22nd December
Get ready to party with Project Dance at this family-friendly afternoon with games, dances, spot prizes, drinks, sweets and a special guest.

RHS Garden Wisley:
  • What is a weed? Exhibition, 24 September – 23 January
Developed by a group of young curators in collaboration with the RHS, 'What is a weed?' challenges stereotypes and introduces new perspectives on weeds through art, animation and interactive exhibits.

January
RHS Garden Bridgewater:
  • Houseplant Weekend, 27 – 28 January
This extravaganza will give you the knowledge and expertise to turn your interest in houseplants into a hobby. From talks and workshops to drop-in clinics and great shopping opportunities – it is the perfect January pick-me-up.

RHS Garden Rosemoor:
  • Winter Sculpture Exhibition, 11 November - 31 January
See the low, bright sunlight create long shadows cast by a specially curated collection of inspirational artwork by local and national sculptors, set against the backdrop of winter colour and texture.
 
  • Living Sculpture Weekend, 27 - 28 January
As the annual Winter Sculpture Exhibition comes to a close, join us and Marvellous Eventures for some fabulous family frolics throughout the garden, daily from 11am to 3pm.

RHS Garden Wisley:
  • RHS Glow at Wisley, 24 November – 2 January
See the gardens in a whole new light, as twinkling trails and colourful displays illuminate sculptural trees and winter blooms as dusk falls.
 
  • What is a weed? Exhibition, 24 September – 23 January
Developed by a group of young curators in collaboration with the RHS, 'What is a weed?' challenges stereotypes and introduces new perspectives on weeds through art, animation and interactive exhibits.

February
RHS Garden Rosemoor:
  • Celebration of Snowdrops, 1 – 11 February
Enjoy a brisk walk in the crisp spring air and search out these wonderful gems throughout the garden.
 
  • February Half Term - World on your Windowsill, Saturday 10 – 18 February
Follow our garden trail and join in our drop-in family workshops to learn how to ‘grow your own’ at home

RHS Garden Wisley:
  • Houseplant Takeover – Plants Before Time, 3 February - 10 March
Step inside RHS Wisley’s iconic Glasshouse to discover fascinating plants such as ferns and cycads, alongside fossils, footprints and more.
 
– Ends –

For more information and images, or to attend or cover any events, please contact the Press Office at [email protected]

Notes to editors

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 five gardens:

RHS Garden Bridgewater, Occupation Road, Off Leigh Road, Worsley, Salford, Greater Manchester

M28 2LJ www.rhs.org.uk/bridgewater

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 1QB

www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8ET

www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall

RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor

RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

 

About the RHS

Since our formation in 1804, the RHS has grown into the UK’s leading gardening charity, touching the lives of millions of people. Perhaps the secret to our longevity is that we’ve never stood still. In the last decade alone we’ve taken on the largest hands-on project the RHS has ever tackled by opening the new RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, Greater Manchester, and invested in the science that underpins all our work by building RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science.

We have committed to being net positive for nature and people by 2030. We are also committed to being truly inclusive and to reflect all the communities of the UK.

Across our five RHS gardens we welcome more than three million visitors each year to enjoy over 34,000 different cultivated plants. Events such as the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, other national shows, our schools and community work, and partnerships such as Britain in Bloom, all spread the shared joy of gardening to wide-reaching audiences.

Throughout it all we’ve held true to our charitable core – to encourage and improve the science, art and practice of horticulture –to share the love of gardening and the positive benefits it brings.

For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk.

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.