Celebrating 25 Years of RHS Garden Harlow Carr
This year RHS Garden Harlow Carr celebrates its 25th anniversary. We catch up with Head of Site Liz Thwaite to learn more about the Royal Horticultural Society's first ever garden in the North of England
Today, RHS Garden Harlow Carr is in a constant state of growth, attracting more than half a million visitors annually and adding more than 1,600 plants a year to its already magnificent collections. Its modern-day accomplishments are impressive, and its history can be defined by innovation. ‘The garden's modern story began in 1946 when the Northern Horticultural Society established a plant trial ground dedicated to the unique growing conditions in northern England. When Harlow Carr Botanical Gardens opened [to the public] in 1950, its purpose was not simply to be beautiful, but to test which plants would thrive in the North's cooler, wetter climate,’ explains Liz. ‘That pioneering spirit remains today. What makes RHS Harlow Carr unique is its distinctly northern character. Every border, woodland and planting scheme has been shaped by Yorkshire's climate, making it both an inspiring garden and a practical source of ideas for gardeners across the county.’
The original garden covered 26 acres, but it has since expanded to cover more than 60 acres, with new gardens, landscapes and collections continuously being added. This includes the idyllic Queen Mother’s Lake which was built in 2002, the iconic Main Borders which were first planted in 2005 and redeveloped in 2024, and the fascinating Alpine House which has been home to specialist collections and displays since it opened in 2009. More recently, the Thailana Bridge was a striking addition over Queen Mother’s Lake in 2023.
‘RHS Harlow Carr has never stood still. Continuous development is part of its DNA,’ Liz says. ‘The garden evolves through new planting, innovative garden design, plant trials and conservation work. At the same time, the garden is responding to wider environmental challenges, exploring climate-resilient gardening, sustainability and biodiversity which ensures we remain not just beautiful, but also a forward-thinking horticultural resource.
‘Since joining the RHS in 2001, the pace of development has accelerated, with significant investment in both the garden and visitor experience helping RHS Harlow Carr become one of the UK's most admired gardens,’ explains Liz. Other highlights of the gardens include the seasonal Winter Walk and Streamside, which is an original aspect of the garden running through its heart, rich in moisture-loving plants and a fantastic example of waterside planting.
Climate change remains one of the biggest challenges that the garden faces, and managing its effects is a careful balancing act. ‘Like all gardens, we're adapting to the challenges posed by climate change and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Changes in rainfall, temperature and seasonal conditions require us to continually rethink how we garden and manage our plant collections,’ says Liz. ‘At the same time, we're focused on protecting biodiversity and inspiring the next generation to engage with gardening and the natural world. The challenge is balancing innovation with stewardship – ensuring this special garden continues to thrive for future generations.’
Investing in the next generation of horticulturalists is at the core of RHS Garden Harlow Carr. Since 2001, the garden has been responsible for the training of nearly 100 students and apprentices, as well as providing free workshops for thousands of schoolchildren to encourage an interest in nature. The Bramall Learning Centre opened in 2010 and provides an environmentally-designed education hub, and the Montague‑Burton Teaching Garden is a special space dedicated to hands-on learning. The role of volunteers is also essential to the garden. ‘Volunteers are vital to the garden's success. More than 120 volunteers contribute their time and expertise, helping care for the garden, support visitors and deliver educational activities,’ Liz explains.
This year’s 25th anniversary celebrations aim to honour both the garden’s past and its future potential. ‘To create a lasting legacy, we're donating 25 oak saplings, grown from seed collected at RHS Harlow Carr, to a local community organisation,’ says Liz. ‘In the short term, our focus is on continually enhancing the visitor experience, developing our plant collections and demonstrating sustainable gardening solutions for a changing climate,’ she continues, ‘and longer term, we want RHS Harlow Carr to remain a leading centre for horticulture, conservation and learning in the North, inspiring future generations through gardening, education and a deeper connection with nature. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure the garden remains a place that enriches lives for decades to come.’
Liz appreciates that RHS Garden Harlow Carr has earned a special place in the hearts of visitors. ‘I think it offers something increasingly valuable, a genuine connection to nature and the changing seasons. It combines beautiful horticulture with the character of the Yorkshire landscape, creating a place where people can learn, relax and reconnect with the outdoors,’ she explains. ‘Many visitors have built memories here over decades, and that sense of personal connection is what makes RHS Harlow Carr so special.’
The past 25 years have been an astonishing achievement for the garden and a lasting legacy is at the forefront of the team’s mind. ‘I hope RHS Harlow Carr's legacy will be measured not just in plants and landscapes, but in people. Whether it's inspiring someone to start gardening, training the next generation of horticulturists, supporting volunteers or simply providing a place of peace and wellbeing, the garden has touched countless lives,’ Liz says. ‘If future generations see RHS Harlow Carr as a place that championed northern gardening, nurtured learning, supported biodiversity and helped people connect with nature, that would be a wonderful legacy to leave.’
What’s On in the Garden
The Wind in The Willows: A Garden Adventure
Celebrating 95 years of E H Shepard’s iconic illustrations from The Wind in the Willows, join Ratty, Badger, Mole and Mr Toad on a family-friendly interactive trail through the gardens.
Until December
Brick Explorers
Discover the incredible biodiversity of the gardens with a new wildlife sculpture trail made from thousands of bricks. Pick up an activity booklet along the way and get stuck into the interactive brick building station.
Until 6th September
Flavours of Autumn
Don’t miss this celebration of growing and cooking, highlighting the best of the season with live cookery demos, edible garden tours, food markets and expert advice.
5th–6th September
