The Wildlife Trusts’ British Rainforest Garden

The Wildlife Trusts’ British Rainforest Garden rekindles the wild and wet woodlands that once swathed vast landscapes along the west coast. Inspired by the enchanted forests of Arthurian legend, the space creates a sense of wonder as a domestic garden on the edge of a beautiful British rainforest.

A raised wooden walkway immerses visitors in a sensory journey with dappled sunlight and the sound of flowing water. Lichened boughs of trees and mounds of mosses beside a tumbling waterfall summons the magic of our long-lost rainforests. A dramatic silver birch tree leans over the wooden walkway at a significant angle, showcasing the way that nature can be resilient in the face of adversity – be that at the hand of man or in response to extreme weather.

Inspired by the ambitious 100-year mission of The Wildlife Trusts and Aviva to bring rainforests back to the British Isles, the Garden shares the story of this precious habitat that once blanketed a fifth of our country and is now so rare that it only covers about 1% of the land. Restoring them will create beautiful places for people to enjoy, help wildlife recover and tackle climate change.

 

At a glance

Who would use this garden?
A domestic garden.
Where is the garden set?
Western Britain.
Who or what is the design inspiration for the garden?
The lost rainforests of the British Isles provide the inspiration for the garden, and the designer’s own childhood experiences in Lydford Gorge, a rainforest beside her grandparents’ home in Devon.

 

Garden legacy

After the Show, the garden will move to a location in the West Country – details to follow.