Frequently Asked Questions

The quickest way to check availability is to complete our School Visit Enquiry Form and we will either confirm your requested reservation date or offer you some alternative dates. Once the date is agreed we will send you a booking form to complete and further details of the day including a comprehensive visit planning document. Guided visits should be booked at least 1 month in advance to allow us time to plan for your visit.

For Guided workshops we require a minimum of 15 students and can accommodate up to 124 students per day (for larger groups please call us to check availability). For SEN students the minimum number is 4.

For self-guided visits – there is no minimum or maximum limit, however for groups over 200 please call us to check availability.

Pre-visit sessions are planned throughout the year, where you can meet our Education Officers for advice. These are not compulsory. Please choose your preferred date and time on the School Visit Booking Form which will be sent to you once your visit date is confirmed.

We do not provide risk assessments for schools. We ask that you attend a pre-visit if you are not already familiar with the Garden and then complete your own school risk assessment before your visit. We are a Learning Outside the Classroom quality badge holder. Please see the LOtC website for details and confirmation.

The RHS is the UK’s leading gardening charity and all educational visits to RHS gardens are funded by the RHS (free). If you feel able to give a donation to the RHS to help support our educational work this would be much appreciated, we ask you to consider a donation of £3 per student for your visit.

Please note: Accompanying adults are also admitted free of charge.

Donations can be made at anytime before or after your visit and details of how to pay will be sent together with your booking form.

There are some ideas for the self-guided part of your visit on our website and some additional guidance notes and a map are shown in the back of the planning document sent to you when you book. We are unable to give specific detailed guidance as the Garden changes so frequently throughout the year.

Minibuses can park in any suitable space and use the accessible bays if appropriate.

Coaches should use the coach park which is directly outside the main entrance. On very busy days our car park staff may direct coach drivers to park in another area of the car park once passengers have been dropped off. They can then return to the coach car park for your pick-up time.

All visits start at the main front entrance. Guided groups will be met by our Education Officer either by the coach or at the main entrance.

Self-guided groups should make their own way into the Garden when they arrive to begin their day, our front of house staff will be expecting you. The Garden opens at 10am and schools are welcome to stay until closing.

A usual visit day is between 10am and 2.15pm/2.30pm. Upon booking you will be allocated a morning workshop(s) starting at 10.30am and finishing at 12pm or an afternoon workshop(s) starting at 12.30pm and finishing at 2pm, depending on availability. A plan for the day will be sent to you with your booking form once your visit date is confirmed.

Self-guided visits can arrive and leave at any time during opening hours.

Yes, each workshop provides the opportunity to plant a seed or cutting to take back to school.

Guided visits
Primary schools can have lunch in the Clore Learning Centre between 12noon and 12.30pm.
Secondary Schools may be able to use our Hilltop Learning Studios for lunch in wet weather, but this cannot be guaranteed as it depends on availability which is limited. There are many shelters around the Garden and if the weather is nice you may prefer to have a picnic.

Self-guided visits
We are unable to provide an indoor lunch space for self-guided visits. However, there are many shelters around the garden and if the weather is nice you may prefer to have a picnic.

Primary Guided visit
Students can leave their belongings at the Clore Learning Centre for the day.

Secondary Guided visit
Students usually leave their belongings in the Learning Studios during their workshop but keep everything with them for the self-guided part of their day.

Primary and Secondary Self-Guided visits
Students will need to carry their belongings with them throughout the day. (In some circumstances we may have room to store coats/bags for younger age primary groups).

Accompanying school staff are responsible for pupils’ safety and other needs, including medication and behaviour, at all times during their visit. We have first aiders on duty every day, should one of your group need assistance.

Yes, we have a small number of child wheelchairs which can be booked with us in advance. Adult wheelchairs are available at the front entrance and no booking is required.

Foundation:   1:4
Years 1-3:      1:6
Years 4-6:      1:8
All Others:      1:15
Our safeguarding policy requires a minimum of two accompanying adults per class.

Our bookings for the next academic year, open on 1 April

Free educational visits are only available on weekdays during the school term time, as determined by our local authority, Surrey County Council.

Please see our comprehensive guide to accessibility at RHS Garden Wisley here.