RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science

A greener future

RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science is our new centre of horticultural excellence, a place for us to inspire the next generation of scientists and officially opened on 24 June 2021.

Step inside this stunning space to see our research being carried out, learn about the invaluable work of the RHS with our interactive displays, marvel at our world-class collections and enjoy a bite to eat at a cafe where the produce is fresh from the gardens outside.

And if that isn’t enough, you can enjoy unparalled, panaromic views across our flagship garden while enjoying a drink on the Sky Terrace.

Hilltop Live

Preserving plant specimens

The RHS Herbarium holds the UK’s largest collection of cultivated plants, with more than 86,000 dried plant specimens.

These unique specimens were being stored in cramped conditions. They are now in our state-of-the-art Herbarium, a controlled environment where temperature and light are strictly regulated.

The new digitisation suite allows us to share our nationally important collection online with everyone who wishes to see the samples. 

Living laboratories

RHS scientists have already shown how garden plants can capture pollution, reduce flood damage, and assist in the cooling of cities as our climate warms. Now research is urgently needed to help save pollinators, identify and manage pests and diseases, and increase plant biodiversity.

We have also shown the importance of gardening to health and wellbeing and the new gardens surrounding the RHS Hilltop building will be used as a living laboratory. Upcoming research includes investigating if scent provokes an emotional response.

Sustainably built

Like all of our new builds, RHS Hilltop exploits the very latest in environmentally friendly techniques from installing our own renewable energy sources to very high levels of insulation. During construction an astonishing 99% of waste generated was recycled.

As part of the wider development, rainwater capture will reduce our dependency on tap water while also reducing the risk of flooding during heavy downpours.

But we aim to be as socially responsible as possible. Our contractors are part of the Considerate Constructor Programme, which means they give back to the community, and we continue working to make the gardens accessible to all.