RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey

Wisley is the historic home of the Royal Horticultural Society and houses one of the largest plant collections in the world. 

We follow the recommended trail on the RHS Wisley map, starting at perhaps the most iconic view of Wisley; the old Laboratory building set among a terraced landscape with the striking Jellicoe Canal in front of it.  We then pass by the Conifer Lawn, take the Wisteria Walk, see the Mixed Borders and Cottage Garden and walk up the hill to see the sculpture of a Drinking Horse Head entitled 'Still Water'.  We walk through the Wildlife Garden, with its wicker structures providing a haven for wildlife, and see another sculpture outside the RHS Hilltop building; Hilltop is the new laboratory and the "Home of Gardening Science"; it is the UK's first dedicated horticultural scientific centre of excellence. There is an interactive exhibition here that demonstrates the benefits of gardens for wellbeing; there are also great views from the top.

We see the fruit tree collection (pleached) and cut across to the Bonsai Walk; from here it is a walk back via the Alpine Meadow and Rock Garden to The Glasshouse.  This amazing building is 12m high and huge; entering it is like walking into a jungle with its tree ferns, tall palms, lush-leaved creepers and dazzling flower displays and there are three climatic zones to explore (tropical, moist temperate and dry temperate). We leave and walk through the Oakwood to reach the Walled Gardens and the Water Lily Pavilion; from here it is along the Equinox Borders to enjoy the Riverside Walk to the Heather Landscape.  Then back through Howards Field and the Pinetum, the oldest tree collection at Wisley; there are some interesting tree sculptures to see here.

An excellent 3 hour walk with lots of interesting things to see.Read more