A living collection on the river bend

Fifteen acres, always in season.

A botanical garden on the old millrace: woodland and glasshouse, a rose terrace and a wild riverbank meadow, tended by hand and open to everyone. Come for the blooms, stay for the quiet.

Garden path in full bloom In bloom this week
15
Acres
2,400
Plant species
4
Glasshouses
1912
Founded

In season now

What is flowering this week.

The garden changes every fortnight. This is what our head gardener has flagged as at or near its peak right now, and where to find it.

WinterSpringSummerAutumn
Magnolia Leonard MesselPeak now to AprWoodland walk
Tulip terraces mixedNow to late AprRose terrace
Bluebell drift nativeTwo weeks leftRiverbank meadow
Camellia japonicaFading soonGlasshouse two
Hellebore winter roseLast of the seasonShade border

Five gardens, one river.

A quarter hour to an afternoon
Woodland walk
01

Woodland Walk

Shade planting under old oaks: magnolia, fern, and a carpet of spring bulbs.

15 min loop
Glasshouse
02

The Glasshouses

Four climate houses, from cloud forest to desert, kept warm year round.

Open all seasons
Rose terrace
03

Rose Terrace

Formal beds stepping down to the water, best in the long light of June.

Peak in summer
Riverbank meadow
04

Riverbank Meadow

Left deliberately wild: native grasses, bees, and a slow bend of the river.

Bring boots
Kitchen garden
05

Kitchen Garden

Heritage vegetables and cutting flowers, worked by our volunteers.

Produce stall Sat
Millrace pond
06

The Millrace

Water lilies and marginal planting around the old mill pond and sluice.

Quietest at dusk

Plan your visit

Everything you need before you come.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday9 to 5
Saturday, Sunday8 to 6
Bank holidays9 to 5
Glasshouses close30 min early

Admission

Adult9.00
Concession6.50
Under 16Free
MembersAlways free

Getting here

Mill Lane car park4.00 all day
Bus 12 and 30Garden Gate stop
River path on foot10 min from town
Cycle racksAt main gate

On site

Potting Shed cafeTil 4:30
Plant shopWeekends
Step free routesMap at gate
Dogs on leadsMeadow only
Visitors in the glasshouse

Support the garden

Become a member, come back all year.

Membership keeps the glasshouses warm and the meadow wild. Unlimited entry, seed swaps, early access to the spring plant sale, and ten percent off in the cafe and shop.

Join from 45 a year
The kind of place you visit for twenty minutes and leave two hours later.

Featured in The Riverside Review