We had a wonderful year in 2025, visiting around 30 gardens – see links and photos below. So many great places visited and meeting fellow plant enthusiasts. Having worked in horticulture for many years, I know a few things about plants but I always learn something new from someone on this outings and come away a little bit wiser.
That shared interest helps conversation flow easily, sharing thoughts or knowledge about what we are looking at. A big thank you to those who helped to organise events, and to the many supportive local Group Co-ordinators who have put on or welcomed Garden Group events on their patch.
We’ve been to everything from grand world-renowned gardens to small charity openings. We have had private tours around places rarely open to the public. We visited places where GOC members proudly work or volunteer, which adds a more personal touch to our visit. Themed visits to places renowned for plant collections or something seasonal, such as snowdrops, daffodils, roses, ferns, topiary, autumn colour or winter gardens, have been popular. We have collaborated with organisations such as Forestry England and the National Trust to arrange some extra activities, often experiencing more than the general public get to do. Whatever the nature and scale of the event, the key thing is people sharing time together in a relaxing environment. A very important part of every visit is a call to the onsite café/tea room before, during or following our walkabout – sometimes more than one trip is needed! This aspect is always very convivial and we often linger there, not wanting the day to end. I know many new connections have been made during these, with people exchanging contact details and meeting up again.
2025 places visited include: Abbotsbury, American Gardens, Basildon Park, Bodnant, Borde Hill, Cardiff Chalet Garden & Daffodils Chelsea Physic Garden, Cliveden, Coughton Court, Cwm Weeg , Hillier Gardens, Holehird, Holker Hall, Hyde Park Estate, Kingston Lacy, Levens Hall , Llanerachaeron, Morton Hall, Mottisfont Abbey, Picton Castle, Rufford Old Hall, Stocktonbury, Thenford, West Green House, Westonbirt, Wildgoose Garden and Nursery, Wollerton Old Hall and Nursery.
Looking ahead, 2026 already looks very exciting, Some Garden Group events are online here and more are being planned. We have a great line up of at least four gardens for the Annual Outdoor Gathering in Warwickshire on 24th-27th July.
But more events are needed please. Don't wait for someone else to organise an outing. There are interesting gardens and horticultural shows/plant fairs/nurseries etc to go to all over the country. Garden events are comparatively easy to organise - usually no need to recce, clear signposts to the venue with parking, conveniences & cafe all onsite.
Here are a few websites to look for inspiration: National Trust, English Heritage, Royal Horticultural Society Partner Gardens , National Gardens (Yellow Book) Scheme and Historic Houses. Perhaps you know of a garden that opens for charity? If there is somewhere you would like to visit and fancy some company, but unsure about how to get in online, please e-mail me ([email protected]) and I will do my best to make it happen.
I look forward to visiting lots of exciting places during the year and hope to meet you there!
Neil Barry
