The gardens awash with magnolia and tulips in bloom
"May, queen of blossoms, and fulfilling flowers, what pretty music shall we charm the hours?"
— Lord Edward Thurlow
The sun is higher and warmer, giving rise to the first signs of summer. Days are long, the garden is blooming, and Chelsea potting and planting continues apace. Annual Garden Day celebrations bring welcome exuberance, flower crowns and florescent displays.
The Orchard apple blossom is a delight for bursting in waves from east to west, marking a heady, perfume-filled shift between the seasons. From creamy alabaster through shades of blush and pink, the explosion of frothy blooms is one of the most joyful displays of the year.
A month bookended by bank holidays, it doesn’t get much better than merry May days, with summer ahead. Join us in Somerset and Chelsea to revel in the beauty of these moments.
Swathes of tulips and daffodils cascade down the Victorian Fragrance Garden
What’s on in May
We’re all abuzz for a celebration of flora and fauna for month ahead. Visit in May for garden walks around blossoming sights, the return of our Great Garden Escape day trips and one last hurrah at the world’s most prestigious flower show.
Garden Day Weekend
3 - 5 May, included in membership
Your chance to don a flower crown and raise a glass to our Somerset garden in bloom. We’ll have three days of BBQs, tipples, treats, live music, plant sales, tours and a special Floralia Festival over at the Roman Villa. Come and celebrate the wonderful work of our garden team!
Dawn Walk: Chelsea Secrets
1, 22 May, 7am - 10am / £45
Awake to the sounds of the estate and allow Arthur Cole to guide you through the gardens, while learning all about this year’s collaboration with our South African sister estate, Babylonstoren, at RHS Chelsea. Culminating in a hearty breakfast at the Garden Café.
Somerset Safari
6, 9 May, 9.30am - 12.30pm / £50
Join our resident entomologist, Tom to get closer to the wild things on our Somerset estate. Enjoy a deep dive into the natural world and gain practical advice on how to enhance your outdoor space for insects and pollinators, protecting and promoting essential biodiversity.
Dry Stone Walling
8, 22 May, 9.30am - 4pm / £150
Master the fundamentals of this ancient rural craft under the expert guidance of Tom Trouton. You’ll learn about history, design and practical elements and take away the knowledge to create an array of structures from fire pits to paving and water features.
Botany Watercolours (Spring)
10, 17 May, 9.30am - 3pm / £150
Wander the gardens for abundant inspiration to develop your botanical painting skills. You’ll gather a variety of spring specimens to paint under the guidance of established wildlife artist, Camilla Clutterbuck, before capping off the day with lunch at the Garden Café.
Join our foraging expert, Martin Bailey for A Taste of the Wild
Forage & Feast: A Taste of the Wild
15 May, 9.30am - 3pm / £150
Join our foraging expert, Martin Bailey for an insightful and immersive walk across the estate. You’ll learn about the spoils of the season: identifying, harvesting and preparing your foraged ingredients before lunch at the Garden Café, overlooking the estate.
Forest Bathing Sundays
18, 25 May 8 - 9am / £50
Steal a Sunday morning to reconnect with nature and learn the art of shinrin yoku or ‘forest bathing’. You’ll use all of the senses in this eco-therapy session and discover the process of effective immersion, healing and mindfulness among tranquil ancient woodland.
Family Printmaking Workshop
24 May, 10am - 4pm (45-minute slots) / £15 per person (includes one child)
Get creative with celebrated printmaker Liz Clayton of Slow Sunday. Taking inspiration from spring flowers, you’ll get hands on with stencils, rollers and vibrant inks to make spectacularly colourful artworks to take home.
Revel in the garden springing to life in vibrant hues
Family Foraging
27 May, 10am & 1pm / £25 per adult
Learn how to safely identify edible plants, mushrooms and wild herbs in this guided family-friendly walk with our expert. Connect with each other and nature, work together and take away new found knowledge. Please note, Newt Membership is required to book this experience.
Forest School Holiday Club
28, 29 May, 9 - 4pm / £50
Forest School Holiday Club for children aged 6 + is back for half term fun! Budding adventurers can connect with nature, get hands-on with arts and crafts and learn practical skills from knife safety to marshmallow toasting.
Spectacular succulents abound ahead of RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Chelsea Blooms
20 - 24 MayAs headline sponsor a final time, be sure to say hello at our Karoo Succulent Garden or stop for a sip of cyder at our tasting stand if you’re visiting this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show! Keep an eye on our social channels for behind-the-scenes snippets in the lead-up.
May Half Term
24 May - 1 JuneWith Forest School, Family Foraging, Tree Climbing, Printmaking and Horse & Cart rides running alongside our immersive garden exhibits, there’s a packed programme (plus seasonal treats) to keep the whole family entertained over the late spring break.
