Back to Nature Garden

An exciting and inspiring garden space for children and families to play, discover and relax in, while connecting with the great outdoors

Back to Nature Garden opening

HRH The Princess of Wales opened a new garden for children at RHS Garden Wisley in September 2019 – the Back to Nature Garden. The Duchess planted a weeping blue cedar tree to mark the garden’s opening.

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Please note: Through the winter months, there may be full or partial closures of the Back to Nature Garden due to adverse weather conditions that impact on the play area – please check on arrival at the main entrance.

Inspiring a love for the great outdoors

Opened in 2019, the Back to Nature Garden was inspired by show gardens co-designed by The Princess of Wales and Davies White Landscape Architects for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

It is a place for families and friends to have fun in nature, while hopefully igniting a love for gardening and growing plants.

Come and play

Fun play elements include two treehouses linked via an aerial walkway, swings, slides and trampolines, as well as a hollow log for climbing on and crawling through, a stream with water pumps, dens for hiding, a living willow pod, hidden burrow and giant sand pit.​

The garden’s design is based upon a peaceful, woodland setting surrounded by trees, relaxed planting and a wildflower meadow, and aims to encourage children and families to engage with nature and the great outdoors.

Benefits of time spent outdoors

The garden aims to support The Princess of Wales’ work to highlight how time spent in natural environments can help build the foundations for positive physical and mental wellbeing. These environments enable children to develop skills for life through free play, building confidence, strength, creativity and resilience.
 
The Back to Nature Garden will be a permanent, much-loved feature at Wisley. A wonderful gift for future generations to play in and enjoy, it is a sure way to encourage children and families to get outside.

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Back to Nature Activity Cards

The RHS has collaborated with The Princess of Wales to create a special collection of outdoor activity cards to accompany the Back to Nature Garden, inspiring families to interact with nature and the outdoors wherever they live.

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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.