Free entry to RHS gardens on Friday, March 2

Take this opportunity to visit one of the RHS inspirational gardens for free and enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the gardens as they awaken from their winter slumbers and discover the advantages of becoming a member of the RHS. Already a member? Why not bring your friends and share with them the benefits of RHS membership for the day. All the gardens offer a chance to indulge in a spot of retail therapy or to simply enjoy a hot drink, snack or meal – there is something for everyone to enjoy, whatever the weather.

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate

Located on the outskirts of Harrogate, Harlow Carr captures the essence of Yorkshire within a beautiful garden setting. The garden design replicates the natural spirit of the region, with features evoking the surrounding landscapes, including water features, dry stone walling, wooded areas and also some ornamental aspects redolent of Harrogate itself. For families, the garden offers a combination of wilderness and sense of adventure in a landscaped, self contained setting, with a log maze, family trails, children’s play area and woodland dens.

For more information, please visit www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr

Prices: RHS members plus 1 family guest: free
Adult £7.50; Child (5-16) £3.75; Child under 5 free; Family (2 adults/2 children) £20.25 Normal garden admission applies.

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex

With wide open skies and far reaching views, RHS Garden Hyde Hall is the perfect place for families to discover the great outdoors, with plenty to keep children occupied. Located just outside Chelmsford in Essex, it consists of an 8 acre, intensely cultivated hilltop area, with numerous features, including a colour themed herbaceous border, two ponds, a rose garden, farmhouse garden and woodland garden. This more formal area is surrounded by vast open countryside, with vast swathes of grasses and perennials on Clover Hill, and an estate beyond comprising of developing woodland, hedgerows, bee hives, meadows and pasture. It is a haven for wildlife with multitudes of songbirds and brown hares running across the meadows.

For more information, please visit www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall

Prices: RHS members plus 1 family guest: free

Adult £7; Child (5-16) £3.50; Child under 5 free; Family (2 adults/2 children) £18.90

RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon

Nestled in the Torridge Valley in North Devon, just south of the North Devon coast and west of Exmoor National Park, RHS Garden Rosemoor is spread across 65 acres. Within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides, it consists of sculptured gardens intercepted by cool restful areas of parkland, meadows and trees. It is a wonderful place for children to explore, with its winding paths and different areas to discover. The Brash is the family picnic and play area, a natural hideaway in the woods for children (and adults) of all ages to enjoy. With log stepping stones, dens that are perfect for hide and seek, giant bugs to spot and bird feeding there’s plenty to keep everyone busy.

For more information, please visit www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor

Prices: RHS members plus one guest: free
Adult £7.50; Child (5 -16) £3.75, Child under 5 free; Family (2 adults/2 children) £20.25

RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey

The RHS flagship property, RHS Garden Wisley is one of the finest gardens in the world. For more than 100 years it has been a showcase for horticultural excellence, world class plant collections and outstanding large scale gardening displays. Witness, early spring bulbs such as crocus, heathers and the Pinetum and National Heather Collection. The arboretum and pinetum are great for spotting pine cones, there is a fascinating ‘plants for bugs’ area and seasonal bug-collecting and insect-identification activities, while children of all ages will love the outdoor play area ‘Wild at Wisley’ with its naturally created climbing, balancing and den building equipment. For families, the sheer size of Wisley gives great scope for exploration and discovery. There is even a dedicated RHS Garden Wisley I-Spy book to keep younger visitors on track. Would-be jungle explorers can venture into the Tropical Zone of the Glasshouse, while bird lovers can visit the bird hide, or see the ducks on the lake. There are more than 200 acres to explore, encompassing countless styles including majestic borders, an iconic Rock Garden with an extraordinary range of alpine plants. The Bowes Lyon Rose Garden features more than 4000 roses and there is also a Jubilee arboretum, extensive fruit and vegetable fields and gardens, a vineyard and a magnificent lakeside Tropical Glasshouse, which demonstrates tropical plants from three climatic zones.

For more information please visit www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

Prices: RHS members plus one guest: free

Adult £10.50; Child (5-16) £4.50; Child 4 and under free; Family (2 adults/2 children) £27