The Brits are rightly world renowned for their gardening prowess. Napoleon labelled them a nation of shopkeepers but I believe that it would be more apt to call them a nation of gardeners.
Nowhere is their skill, ingenuity and pluckiness more on display than in the rarefied world of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). The RHS' most famous event is of course the Chelsea Flower Show, which attracts the best gardeners, horticulturalists and garden designers in the world.
What you may not know is that behind the razzamatazz of the Chelsea Flower Show stands tall the RHS Garden at Wisley in Surrey.
This is a truly epic and magical place and it's not all just about beauty because it also houses very important laboratories, botanical libraries and scientific research programs. Indeed the mantra of Wisley is to make 'difficult plants grow successfully'. Hence you will find plants from all over the world growing bountifully and successfully throughout.
There are too many gardens to list here, but as this was my second visit, I discovered a brand new garden called the National Heather Collection. This has only recently opened and provides a comprehensive and sweeping picture of the many varieties of Heather that grow across the United Kingdom.
Accompanying me on this day was my father who is visiting from Australia as well as my cousin Robin. The highlight was stopping off at a tucked away cafe at Woodside House in Howards Field which is a century old Pinetum.
If you are in London or in Surrey and you love gardening, nature or walking then I can highly recommend a visit to RHS Wisley. Please note that it will really take a whole day or even two to properly explore it. https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
RHS Wisley will certainly now be a mainstay on our recommended attractions when visiting London.