York Gate Garden, Leeds: The stunning Yorkshire garden which is joining forces with the Royal Horticultural Society
Some of the best gardens in Yorkshire have been chosen to link with the Royal Horticultural Society. We find out more.
You don’t have to travel far in Yorkshire to find a special garden. God’s own county is blessed with more than its fair share, as a new scheme illustrates.
Celebrating nearly 40 years of horticultural partnerships, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced 18 new gardens will join its Partner Garden scheme for 2026.
These additions expand the scheme to 241 gardens across the UK and worldwide.
Among the new partners are 13 British gardens stretching from Cornwall to Scotland via several UK cities.
Highlights include the internationally renowned Eden Project in Cornwall—a former clay mine transformed into one of the world’s most celebrated gardens.
Since opening in 2001, the Eden Project has inspired millions with its mission to demonstrate and encourage positive action for the planet.
Joining the offering in the north of England is York Gate Garden, near Leeds, an enchanting Arts and Crafts style Garden with Grade II National Heritage status, 14 individual garden rooms, a striking sand garden and a tranquil meadow walk.
Liverpool's Sefton Park Palm House has also joined the scheme. The Grade II*-listed Victorian glasshouse is situated within Sefton Park and is a much-loved cultural landmark within one of the UK’s most historic public parks.
New additions also include the award-winning gardens of Walmer Castle, eight acres of garden around the coastal fortress built in 1539 by Henry VIII.
The historic garden has been shaped by a colourful cast, including the Duke of Wellington, Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and recently visited by King Charles, who planted a commemorative horse chestnut tree.
East Lambrook Manor Garden also re-joins the renowned scheme. Widely regarded as the most famous cottage garden in the UK, the Grade I-listed cottage garden was created by celebrated plantswoman and author, Margery Fish, in the mid-20th century.
International gardens include Australia's Garden of St Erth, a historic property with roots dating back to the gold rush era of the mid-19th century, cherished for its blend of historical charm and botanical beauty. California's Filoli Gardens also joins the scheme for 2026.
Filoli’s expansive 16-acre garden offers visitors a harmonious blend of formal design, natural beauty, and rich horticultural history.
Prunella Murray, Partner Gardens Manager at the RHS, said: “We are delighted to welcome 18 new gardens to create a 241-strong RHS Partner Garden family for 2026.
“There is something for all types of garden lovers to explore – from the iconic Biomes of the Eden Project to a diverse range of gardens around English cities to Arts and Craft gardens like Goddards and The Laskett.”
The RHS Partner Gardens scheme allows RHS Members to visit a range of independent gardens for free at selected times of the year.
The Yorkshire venues are Cusworth Hall Walled Garden, Doncaster; Goddards, York; and York Gate Garden, Leeds.