This autumn the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) offers a huge range of exciting talks and events at its four gardens – RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex, RHS Garden Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire and RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon.
September
2-18 Sept: The Artists’ Garden: Art Exhibition, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Over 80 of the South West’s most talented artists contribute to this colourful exhibition of pictures, prints and cards featuring gardens, plants, landscapes, seascapes and wildlife. The exhibition is stewarded by at least one artist each day. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
2-18 Sept: Botanical Art Fair, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
An exhibition of art by the late Sue Edwards, who drew on her creative talents as a gardener to create beautiful botanical illustrations. www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall
3-4 Sept: The Autumn Plant Fair, RHS Garden Harlow Carr A fair celebrating autumn inspiration for the garden, held in association with Plant Heritage. It will feature a range of specialist nurseries as well as the tender plant show. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
6-11 Sept: Wisley Flower Show, RHS Garden Wisley
The garden’s biggest event of the year returns with 20 trade stands, more nurseries than ever, over a thousand Dahlia blooms in the National Dahlia Society Competition, and a fantastic display in the iconic Glasshouse. Last year nearly 50,000 visitors enjoyed a colourful extravaganza showing the best of the garden in its late summer bloom. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
10 Sept: Outdoor Cinema Evening, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
As the sun goes down, the classic film Dirty Dancing will be shown in an idyllic lakeside setting. From 7pm, picnics welcome. Booking essential at www.essexoutdoorcinema.com
10-11 Sept: Real Ale and Cider Festival, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
A celebration of all things Yorkshire, with a range of unusual ales from across the county, as well as locally produced ciders and, new for 2016, Yorkshire wines! www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
17-18 Sept: Essex Plant Heritage Autumn Fair, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Around 30 specialist nurseries from across the region will set up a one-stop shop at the garden and sell a range of seasonal favourites. www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall
23 – 25 Sept: Real Ale and Cider Weekend, RHS Garden Rosemoor
The garden’s fourth Real Ale and Cider Weekend offers a range of interesting, unusual and eminently quaffable real ales and ciders. There will be harvest produce on display from the garden, a barbeque, food stalls and delicious wines from Devon and Cornish vineyards. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
24 Sept: Photography morning, RHS Garden Wisley
Capture the gardens in the early morning light. Doors open from 7.30am. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
October
1-2 Oct: Autumn Food & Wood Festival, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
A weekend-long event celebrating the best of autumn, with woodland products and willow demonstrations, a food market specialising in local delights, cookery demonstrations using the best of home grown seasonal produce, and live music from local groups. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
2 Oct: Apple Day, RHS Garden Rosemoor
A great day out for all the family, Rosemoor’s Apple Day include apple identification, fantastic apple displays, cookery demonstrations and recipes, tastings and children’s activities. Angle Twitch, a mixed Morris side from Barnstaple, will dance in the Fruit Field. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
7-9 Oct: Food Festival, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Perfect for families and foodies alike, visitors can sample the best in fresh regional produce from over 30 stalls and buy delicious food gifts to take home. There will be guest chefs in the demonstration tent and plenty of entertainment for children. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
8-9 Oct: Autumn Woodfest, RHS Garden Wisley
Tree-climbing workshops, trade stands, bird walks, exhibition of willow sculptures from Twigtwisters and chainsaw carving demonstrations by chainsaw company. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
8-9 Oct, Autumn Woodfest Weekend, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Artisans can be seen at work on traditional crafts, including wood turning, carving and whittling, basket weaving and spinning. The event will be sponsored by chainsaw company Stihl who will be demonstrating their chainsaws, safety-clothing and equipment. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
15-16 Oct: Alpine Weekend, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
The Learning Centre will be filled to the brim with alpines from exhibitors from across the country, and on Saturday there will be a comprehensive plant fair with the chance to buy unusual plants. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
15-16 Oct: Autumn Antiques & Collectors Fair, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Devon County Antiques Fairs organise another of their popular events with select stall holders from across the South West and beyond, selling antiques and collectables to suit all tastes and pockets. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
19-23 Oct: Taste of Autumn: RHS Garden Wisley
This celebration of autumn offers Fun Kitchen workshops for children, 30 trade stands selling produce including cheese, fudge, cakes, liquorice, nuts and garlic, apples and more. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
22-30 Oct: Wild About Gardens, October half-term fun, all gardens
An adventure into wonderful wildlife, with everything from wildlife trails, outdoor workshops, homes for hedgehogs, storytelling, crafts and plenty of fresh air there’s enough to keep the whole family entertained.
22-23 Oct: Pumpkin Weekend, RHS Garden Rosemoor
The chance for visitors to carve their own pumpkin at lantern making workshops, with pumpkins supplied at £1 each. They can take the Pumpkin Trail around the Garden and learn how to cook delicious pumpkin dishes each afternoon. Ben May, with his two Shire horses Tom & Joey, will give free wagon rides in a wooden covered wagon each day. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
29 Oct: Pumpkin Carving Day, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Halloween fun for children and adults, with the chance to get creative and carve your own pumpkin to decorate your doorstep or windowsill. Pumpkins can be bought at the garden, while stocks last. www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall
29 Oct-2 Nov: Autumn Apple Display, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
A feast for eyes and noses! A wonderful display showcasing apple varieties grown in the north, and the chance to have mystery apples identified. www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
November
5-6 Nov: Autumn Festival, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
The chance to celebrate the best of autumn with wood-related activity and crafts, including inspiring displays and demonstrations. Visitors can browse and buy seasonal products and tasty treats. www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall
17 Nov: Christmas Shopping Evening, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Enjoy the festive atmosphere of this exclusive shopping evening with 20% off purchases, a Christmas market, local choirs and Santa. www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall
23-27 Nov: Christmas Craft Fair, RHS Garden Wisley
Over 170 exhibitors offer a range of exciting crafts for sale. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
18 Nov 2016 – 10 Jan 2017: Illuminated Winter Garden, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Colour-changing lights delight and enthral around the Winter Garden, offering the chance to appreciate the magic of Rosemoor in the depths of winter as it has never been seen before. On 18 and 19 November from 4pm – 8.30pm there will be events to launch the trail, with winter characters, magical stilt walkers, Christmas food tasting, live music and more. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
19 Nov 2016-19 Feb 2017: Winter Sculpture Exhibition, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Rosemoor’s popular winter sculpture exhibition offers an exciting and eclectic mix of exhibits by a different sculptors, with sculptures spread throughout the Garden. Free, guided sculpture walks at 11.30am most Wednesday mornings. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
30 Nov: Wisley Glow Christmas Light Switch-On, RHS Garden Wisley
Visit the garden at 6pm to catch the moment the garden’s spectacular Christmas lights are switched on, with live music and the chance to shop. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
Highlights will include real ale and cider festivals, apple tasting days, and Christmas light extravaganzas. Below are a few.
For full listings, see https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/whats-on-at-rhs-gardens