Experience days for Garden Lovers

For garden lovers, what about giving them an experience day they'll remember & enjoy? Garden experiences could include garden tours in a group or simple visits where the lucky recipient can just enjoy strolling through beautiful gardens taking in the sights.

So here are some garden gift experiences. When you click through to go to the retailer, please check locations, prices, T&Cs & voucher expiry dates and info specific to the experience before you buy. And please note that the locations are rough guides, i.e. near to, in the area of.

Here are 15 gift ideas for garden lovers

Richmond, London	Visit to Kew Gardens and Palace with Cream Tea for Two £50.50 Explore Kew Gardens and tuck into a Cream Tea! Kew Gardens is a 326 acre UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has plant life from around the world, so there's plenty to see and do. Just some of the things you can have access to are the Royal Kitchens, Palm House, Rose Garden, The Princess of Wales Conservatory (and more!). Then head to the Orangery for a self-service treat of a cream tea. Available from Virgin Experience Days
Richmond, London	Kew Gardens Private Guilded Walking Tour and Admission for Two £106.00 - Use the code AHW2023* at check-out and get 15% off. (This code is site wide until 31 Dec 2023 - it can't be applied to non-discounted products)* Have a private guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Over an hour, a guide will show you the best bits of these world famous gardens and answer any questions you may have. Visit the Princess of Wales Conservatory, leading you through a series of intriguing ecosystems, explore Palm House, and get close to nature. Available from BuyaGift.
Richmond, London	Visit to Kew Gardens with Afternoon Tea at The Botanical for Two £125.00 This is a perfect experience for anyone who loves history and nature, with a stroll around the stunning Kew Gardens and one of three afternoon teas for two on the on-site Botanical Restaurant - choose from traditional, vegetarian or gardener's afternoon tea! Available from Virgin Experience Days. If you want to add a glass of prosecco as an extra treat, you can do that for £110.00 - find out more here
Woking, Surrey	Visit RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey £39.00 Make the most of a visit to RHS Wisley! There's a guidebook with wonderful imagery to compliment your visit, and you can enjoy free talks, demonstrations and interactive sessions at Hilltop Live and explore the new Wellbeing, World Food and Wildlife gardens. There's lots to discover and do! Available from BuyaGift - use the code AHW2023 and get 15% off! The code is valid until 31.12.23 and site wide apart from non-discounted products.
Woking, Surrey	Visit to RHS Garden Wisley and Afternoon Tea for Two at Brooklands Hotel, Surrey £89.00 This sounds like a lovely way to spend a few hours! Explore the gardens at RHS Garden Wisley with entry for two people - and you'll receive a souvenir guidebook featuring stunning imagery to take home. Then make your way to the Brooklands Hotel for afternoon tea for two including freshly made finger sandwiches, a selection of sweet treats, and fruit scones with clotted cream and preserves, washed down with your choice of tea or coffee. Available from BuyaGift - use the code AHW2023 and get 15% off! The code is valid until 31.12.23 and site wide apart from non-discounted products.
	What about a Gift Membership to English Heritage? English Heritage care for 23 historic gardens, including this one, the Mount Grace Priory in North Yorkshire. Others include Down House in Kent, home to Charles Darwin, Osbourne House in the Isle of Wight (Queen Victoria's pad), Wrest Park, where the landscapes were remodelled by Capability Brown, and Kenilworth Castle, where you can walk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I. Imagine how much history these gardens and others have seen! Find out more about Gift Memberships to English Heritage here. SPECIAL OFFER: There's 15% off new Gift and Annual Memberships with the code EHAFF23 - it's valid to 31 December 2023 on all new membership purchases only, annual direct debit only.
Alnwick, Northumberland	The Alnwick Garden and Afternoon Tea for Two, Northumberland £59.00 Alnwick Garden in Northumberland is inspired by the Duchess of Northumberland and designed by the world-renowned Belgian landscape firm of Wirtz International, and there's lots to explore, from beautiful gardens and architecture, including a Treehouse, Poison Garden and the Grand Cascade. Plus, you can tuck into a delicious afternoon tea for two! Available from BuyaGift Use the code AHW2023 and get 15% off** - the code is valid to 31.12.23
Tulse Hill, South East London	Tucked away in Tulse Hill in South East London, the SLBI was established in 1910 to introduce the people of south London to the science, pleasure and importance of plants. Today its vision is all about: ‘Discovering plants, enriching lives, sustaining the future.’ Activity Superstore has a couple of gift ideas: South London Botanical Institute Entrance with a Botanical Cream Tea for 2 for £49.00 South London Botanical Institute with a Cream Tea and Private Tour for 2 for £145.00
	Give an RHS Gift Membership Was £74, now £59.00 Members receive The Garden magazine every month (worth £4.95) and they can get personalised gardening advice on the phone or online, and discounted show tickets. There's free entry to the RHS Gardens; Wisley, Rosemoor, Hyde Hall, Harlow Carr and now Bridgewater! Members can also explore over 200 RHS Partner Gardens across the UK and overseas for free during selected periods. Memberships help the RHS fund their work to train the next generation of gardeners and to work to find solutions to environmental issues. Give a Gift Membership here.
Carmathenshire, Wales	Garden Experience with Picnic Lunch for Two £214.00 The National Botanic Garden of Wales is a charity dedicated to the research and conservation of biodiversity, to sustainability, lifelong learning and the enjoyment of the visitor. Choose from 4 experiences: Introduction to Bees and Pollinators, Botanical Walk with a member of the Horticulture team, Tour of Historical Regency Landscape or Tour of Botanic Garden and Waun Las Nature Reserve. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the grounds of the Garden or in the Great Glasshouse, depending on the weather. The experience also includes a hamper of bespoke National Botanic Garden of Wales gifts for you to share! Available from Activity Superstore
Kendal, Cumbria	Visit The World's Oldest Topiary Garden at Levens Hall with Lunch for Two, Cumbria £75.00 Levens Hall is surrounded by 10 acres of stunning private gardens which date back to the 1690s. They include the world's oldest topiary gardens, whilst the house has beautiful collecitons of furniture, paintings and clocks. You can visit the family home and gardens, and also enjoy a lunch in the contemporary Levens Kitchen, with two main meals from the daily menu, two freshly baked cakes and two soft drinks. Combine a love of gardens, nature and history all in one experience! Find out more from Virgin Experience Days
Chawston, Bedfordshire	Chilli Grower Workshop for Two Was £35.00, now £20.00 Head to Bedfordshire and find out how to grow your peppers from planting to picking! You'll pick up tips for getting bigger, more productive plants, when to pick your hcillies and find out simple things you can do to reduce the risks of pests and diseas. Finish with a lovely tasting session of gourmet chilli products. You'll also find out the history of the hottest chilli in the world. Available from Virgin Experience Days
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire	Visit to Waddesdon Manor and Gardens with Lunch and Sparkling Wine at The Five Arrows Hotel for Two Buckinghamshire £99.00 Enjoy a tasty dining experience with a Two Course Sparkling Lunch at the Grade II listed boutique The Five Arrows Hotel. Located at the gates of Waddesdon Manor, dine at the hotel's 2 AA Rosette restaurant. Enjoy a delicious two-course meal crafted by talented chefs with fresh produce from the kitchen garden. And there's a glass of sparkling wine each. After lunch, explore Waddesdon's 19th-Century gardens, with a vast expanse of Victorian horticulture, from formal gardens and Italian statues to the Rococo-style Aviary. Find out more from Virgin Experience Days
Ravenglass, Cumbria	Hands on Owl Experience at Muncaster Castle with Garden Entry for Two, Cumbria £70.00 This is a visit to a garden with a bit of a difference - it includes the chance to meet and handle two owls, and you can watch the birds fly off from your glove! The experience includes entry to Muncaster Gardens and Hawk and Owl Centre, so it's a great chance to learn about these wonderful birds and take plenty of photos. It also includes entry to two flying displays before your Owl Encounter! Ruskin described the gardens as the "Gateway to Paradise"; there are 77 acres of tranquil historic gardens with cultivated areas, lawns and woodlands. Find out more from Virgin Experience Days
Oxfordshire	The Raymond Blanc Gardening School for One with Lunch, Oxfordshire £285.00 This is a one day course in the beautiful, organic kitchen gardens of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. The school will be based in the Hartley Botanic Glasshouse. Learn what, how and when to plant to grow edible produce and explore the different areas of the grounds, from the orchards to the Japanese tea garden Discover the secrets of the gardens’ success from the expert team, including seasonal planting, soil science, composting and more. Head home with lots of skills and information to put into practice. Plus there's a delicious working lunch in the glasshouse and refreshments of tea and lemon cake. Available from BuyaGift. (Discount codes cannot be applied to this experience.)
	Online Container Gardening Course Taught by Chris Beardshaw £125.00 Chris Beardshaw is a world-class designer and horticulturalist. From the comfort of the couch (or garden), discover how to create and design a series of containers to suit your outdoor space, with the help of Chris and his team. The classes have a design and practical element and cover a variety of topics, including howo to arrange plants, different types of containers and the composition of plants. Available from Red Letter Days Use the code RAHW2023 to get 5% off; the code is valid until 31 Dec 2023.
Ripon, Yorkshire	Swinton Estate Lunch & Garden Tour in North Yorkshire £50.00 for one person. Join Dame Susan Cunliffe-Lister for talks and walks at the stunning Swinton Park Estate in Yorkshire. This is a great gift for keen gardeners and foodies, since the package includes lunch at the hotel! You'll have plenty of time to tour the wonderful four-acre walled garden, where much of the produce for the kitchens is grown, and there's the parklands to explore too. You may even spot some of the fallow deer, resident at the estates! This is available from Into the Blue
Goldsborough, North Yorkshire	Traditional Afternoon Tea for Two with a Garden Tour at Goldsborough Hall Hotel, North Yorkshire £60.00 Enjoy the finer things in life with a gorgeous Afternoon Tea and a garden stroll! Start in one of Goldsborough Hall’s stately rooms such as The Princess Mary Drawing Room or the Jacobean Library or, if the weather allows, sit out on the terrace. Devour afternoon tea - tiers of delicate cakes and dainty sandwiches and freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. There's a choice of teas or freshly ground coffee. Then spend some time exploring the beautiful gardens. Available from BuyaGift Use the code AHW2023 and get 15% off** - the code is valid to 31.12.23
Knutsford, Cheshire	Treat someone to a Visit to Tatton Park Gardens, Mansion and Farm for Two Cheshire £36.00 Enjoy admission to three of Tatton Park's attractions, including the mansion, the gardens and the farm. There are 50 acres of landscaped gardens to explore, and you can take a look at the residents of the rare breed farm. The three attraction visits do not have to be made on the same day. Find out more from Virgin Experience Days..
	Give a Gift Membership to the National Trust The National Trust looks after over 200 gardens in England and Wales (there's a National Trust for Scotland too) giving you the chance to enjoy strolling round, to be inspired and to gather ideas for your own gardens! There a list of their top summer gardens in the south east, south west, the east and the north, as well as the Midlands and Wales. Head to the National Trust here
Ardingly, West Sussex	Visit to Wakehurst Wild Botanic Garden for Two, West Sussex £29.90 Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and dramatic landscapes of Wakehurst Wild Botanic Gardens. There are over 500 acres to discover, with things to see at every turn. Wakefield is the home of the world's most ambitious conservation project, the Millennium Seed Bank, and there's fascinating history, stunning gardens and inspired conservation work. Find out more Virgin Experience Days
Hackney, London	Terrarium Workshop with Prosecco, London £74.00 for one This is a workshop with a bit of a difference - the expert florist will give you a talk full of information about terrariums - how to design the little garden, the soil, the drainage, how to get your plants thriving, plus aftercare and tips to keep them healthy. Then rollup your sleeves and dig in to make a terrarium of your own! Enjoy a glass of Prosecco, too! Available from Virgin Experience Days
Rutland	Entrance to Barnsdale Gardens with an Afternoon Tea for Two, Rutland £61.95 What a great way to spend time with a loved one! Visit Barnsdale Gardens in Leicestershire. Ceated by Geoff Hamilton, there are 38 individual gardens to explore - be inspired and enjoy the beauty of nature. Then have tea in the Helenium Tea Rooms, with a selection of dainty sandwiches, mini sweet treats and fluffy scones topped with clotted cream and jam, all served on beautiful bone china. There's tea or coffee too! Available from BuyaGift Use the code AHW2023 and get 15% off** - the code is valid to 31.12.23
Harrogate, Yorkshire	Kitchen Garden Tour and Lunch for Two at Rudding Park, Yorkshire £120.00 Take a guided tour of wonderful Kitchen Garden with its award-winning produce such as herbs, salads, edible flowers and fruits. Then tuck into a mouthwatering three-course lunch at the two AA Rosette awarded Clocktower Restaurant! Buy this gift from Red Letter Days
Haywards Heath, Sussex	Visit to The British Airways i360 and Borde Hill Gardens for Two, Sussex £59.00 Enjoy a 20 minute rotation for two on the amazing British Airways i360 and see the Sussex countryside and coastline from 450 feet up in the air! Then stroll through 200 acres of woodland and 17 acres of formal gardens at the stunning Borde Hill Gardens. You need to make your own way between the two venues. Available from Virgin Experience Days
Greater London	Visit to New Covent Garden Flower Market and Beginners Workshop at Judith Blacklock Flower School £225.00 for one person Start your experience at the New Covent Garden Flower Market, with its vast selection of flowers, foliage, plants and vases. Led by Judith Blacklock or an expert, go on a tour of the market, learning all the tips and tricks of the floristry trade including how to buy and recognise fresh flowers. Back at the flower school, there's breakfast and find out how to make a beautiful arrangement to take home. Available from Virgin Experience Days
Tiverton, Devon	Bickleigh Castle Grounds and Garden Guided Tour and Cream Tea for Two, Devon £34.00 Bickleigh Castle was built in the early Norman period, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Ejoy a guided tour of Bickleigh Castle's magnificent grounds and stunning garden and tuck into a cream tea for two before or after the tour! The castle has lots of stories, artefacts and portraits so there's lots to see. You could also choose to stay for a night or two! Use the code RAHW2023 before 31 December 2023 and get 5% off! Available from Red Letter Days
Near Ayslesbury, Buckinghamshire	Tour and Wine Tasting in the Rothschild Wine Cellars for Two at Waddesdon Manor £52.00 Okay, so this isn't strictly speaking a gardening experience - guided by the Waddesdon's wine team, you'll sample two wines while learning the history of wine production. You'll see an exceptional collection of historic Rothschild claret dating back to 1868. After the tour and tasting session, you can explore Waddesdon's 19th century gardens and discover the Victorian–inspired bedding on the Parterre, and the rare and exotic birds at the Aviary and Italian statuary. Available from Virgin Experience Days
	Give them the experience of growing their own! Tree2mydoor.com have a number of fruit and nut trees! There include oranges and lemons, apples and pears, blueberries and raspberries, figs and a kaffir lime. This is a great opportunity for people to enjoy the fruits of their garden - a couple of them can even be grown indoors! You can use their filter system on the left hand side to narrow down your choice. From £25.00 from Tree2mydoor.com
	6 Month Seasonal Crop Box Subscription for an Adult or Child £32.00 Give a gardening gift to a loved one with this 6 month seasonal subscription from The Crop Box. It's just the thing for someone who wants to grow and create their own vege patch at home. Each box has bamboo fibre sowing pots, wooden or bamboo plant labels, a peat-free coconut coir compost disc, high quality vegetable seeds and easy step by step instructions! Receive a new in-season crop to grow every three months for six months. Seasonal seeds include: Baby Beets, Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes, Radish, Spinach and Spring Onion. Available from Activity Superstore.
	Personalised Name a Rose Bush £19.00 This is a lovely opportunity to name a rose for someone special! You'll get a pack of rose seeds - which you can personalise with a name and date. Plus you'll have information about your rose bush with details on how to grow and care for it, and a certificate of registry. The name you choose for your unique pack of rose seeds will be registered on the Amore Rose Registry for all time! This could be a lovely way to remember someone, too. It is available from Find Me a Gift
	This is the Flowers Cornflower 1/2 pint mug from Emma Bridgwater £25.00 This is a pretty mug, especially for people who love flowers. Made from English Earthenware, this half pint mug is okay for the dishwasher but not for the microwave or oven. Find out more from Emma Bridgewater There lots of other gift ideas for garden and flower lovers - you can take a look at them here.
	There are lots of garden themed calendars for 2024 at the Calendar Club which could be a lovely way to enjoy garden scenes throughout the year. Kew in Colour, pictured left, is one example (it's £10.99). The Calendar Club cover all sorts of gardens in different locations, and you can choose by size, too. View their garden calendars for 2024 here.