RHS Garden Harlow Carr

Great food in a lovely location. Queue can sometimes be a bit long at peak times so go early for brunch or late for afternoon tea.

great shop and reliable service and food in the café — you know what you are getting with bettys

Somebody give me some air. I need to roam free, be at one with my inner wolf and spread my wings. Enough caffeine already, I think I need some glorious outdoor openness and Harlow Carr is just the ticket.
This is a première place for garden lovers’ and people who just love beautiful spaces. The Royal Horticultural Society knows how to craft a garden or two and this is no exception. It’s like a not so secret Secret Garden with delectable flower displays, a mass of planting and thoughtful and provoking gardening techniques. And this is someone infusing who manages to kill cacti. They also try to blend in to the surroundings and have more than a passing consideration for the environment and how to sustain it.
The relatively new Alpine Zone introduces loads of species to the visitor and they also have an Education Centre where you can find out about a wealth of plant related topics. Also check out the website regularly to see what events are heading to the centre.
A real gem and an absolute must for anyone who has even stepped into a garden, let alone adores them.

My kids had a splendid time in this place. The gardens are really beautiful as others have said — and really well kept. Less so was the model village which looks great but needs a serious bit of refurbishment. The tea room was pretty classic for England — massively expensive and not very good. But if you avoid that and like to stroll around immaculate lawns and stunning flower beds it’s a great afternoon out (weather permitting!).

My in-​laws are members of the RHS and they get their money’s worth from it, just from Harlow Carr! The gardens are really interesting at any time of year, especially the vegetable/​kitchen garden area which gives plenty of ideas and inspiration for having a go yourself.
We walked our little boy round in his three wheeler in the summer and there was plenty for him to be interested in, the ducks, flowers, the dragon log feature in the woodland and also the band near the beehive feature.
I loved the shop — sooo much choice of RHS items, books and also plants, as well as a lovely selection of cards and gifts.
We didn’t have time to go for a cuppa but the Betty’s tea shop here is good, my inlaws had afternoon tea before we arrived and raved about it.

These are beautiful gardens to visit. Crocus & Snowdrops, Rhododendrons & Camelias, Streams & Waterfalls with masses of Candelabra Primula, colourful herbaceous borders, Alpine houses, wonderful metal Scuptures and more. Easy to spend a day here, make sure you take the camera & comfortable shoes !! Plenty of benches dotted about.
There is a smashing tea rooms with great selection of cakesand an area for more substantial meals.
An interesting gift shop, plant centre and a Cake & Chocolate shop.
It does get busy particularly in the tea rooms so try & visit off peak if you can.
Open all day except Christmas. Around £6.50 entrance fee.