Due to the forecast of high winds, the Woodlands, Alpine House and play areas will be closed today, Sunday 22 December. The rest of the garden will remain open as usual, including the Garden Centre (interior only) and Bettys Tearoom.

Friends of Harlow Carr

Members of Friends of Harlow Carr on Friendship Bridge with Curator Paul Cook

Members of Friends of Harlow Carr on Friendship Bridge with Curator Paul Cook

Since the Friends of Harlow Carr was founded, it has aimed to provide a focus of interest for RHS members and volunteers who would like more involvement with the garden.

About the Friends

The Friends organise exclusive special interest visits, accompanied by members of RHS curatorial staff, to areas including the Woodland, Alpine House and the Bramall Learning Centre.

The Friends also organise general interest tours for visiting groups throughout the season and weekly garden walks in May, June and September, giving a fascinating insight into the main features and history of Harlow Carr.

Any profits and proceeds generated from these events are then put towards funding garden projects at RHS Garden Harlow Carr.

The Bothy in the Arboretum

The Bothy located in the Arboretum

Projects funded by the Friends include:

  • The Deanery in the Sub Tropicana Garden
  • The Bothy in the Arboretum in memory of Chris Bowes and Roger Henson
  • Geoffrey Smith memorial stone
  • Access scooters
  • A donation to the Friendship Bridge
  • Wildlife cameras
  • A donation to the new Bird Hide
Geoffrey Smith memorial stone

Geoffrey Smith memorial stone located at the Streamside

What does membership include?

Membership costs £10 per household per year and includes Streamside, a quarterly newsletter covering:

  • Updates from the Curator and other senior staff about present and future developments
  • Reviews of past events
  • News of future events

Organised seasonal garden visits and events include:

  • AGM at RHS Harlow Carr with a guest speaker
  • Visits to interesting gardens
  • An evening walk in the garden with the Curator to hear the latest plans
  • Specific interest tours within the garden with Harlow Carr staff e.g. the ecology of the garden

How to join Friends of Harlow Carr

If you would like to join Friends of Harlow Carr:

Please note: The RHS is providing this form on behalf of the Friends of Harlow Carr, who are an independent group from the RHS and is the data controller. You may resign and have your personal data removed from the database at any time by contacting the Friends by [email protected] or by post to The Friends of Harlow Carr, RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate HG3 1QB. Those contact details can also be used to obtain a copy of the Friends GDPR policy.

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.