SongBird Survival Garden relocates from RHS Chelsea to Hull

The SongBird Survival Garden has been relocated to the Neighbourhood Network Community Centre in Bransholme, Hull

The garden was designed by Nicola Oakey and supported by Project Giving Back at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, winning a Silver-gilt medal. Immediately after the show, in May 2025, the garden was transported to Hull and installed in just one week by the designer, with support from Crowton Rowarth Ltd, Roche Civil Engineering, Neighbourhood Network staff and volunteers and HEY Volunteering.

At RHS Chelsea, the garden told the story of a bird’s daily movements, finding shelter, water and food within a layout of two paths weaving through bird friendly planting. It featured a circular pond and a central birdhouse den made from reclaimed materials, with six metalwork motifs of threatened UK songbirds.

Almost two years since the initial bid for the garden, it is hoped the space can become a place of peace and tranquillity for the local community. Lucy Carew and Sarah Weichardt, joint chief executives of The Neighbourhood Network charity, said it was a “dream come true” to see the garden come to life.

The relocation is the first step in a broader plan to redevelop the wider site so that it is welcoming and accessible. Sarah Weichardt said, “Before the transformation, our community centre’s outdoor space was often described as a ‘concrete jungle’ – bleak and underutilised. Now, stepping into the SongBird Survival Garden is like entering a beautiful, calm oasis. We feel incredibly fortunate to have such an amazing garden that we hope will be a home for lots of songbirds and benefit the local community too.”

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The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.

SongBird Survival Garden relocates from RHS Chelsea to Hull

The garden aims to highlight the plight of the UK songbird

Paths wind though layers of bird-friendly plants, aimed at helping them feed, shelter and nest

Lord Mayor of Hull officially opening the garden with Jack Marriner-Brown (who appeared on BBC Traitors!)

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