Monday September 29 2025, EMGS AUTUMN GARDENS VISIT
Hambledon House, Waterlooville and RHS Wisley
Our next trip, on Monday September 29, will take us to Hambledon House, the family home of Diana Hart Dyke (and in childhood, also the home of the well-known comedian, Miranda Hart). This charming and award-winning garden is affiliated to the National Garden Scheme and our visit will include entry and refreshments. In the afternoon, using our free affiliate entry, we will visit RHS Wisley with free time for a walk, the garden centre and a coffee or late lunch.
Hambledon House is located just over an hour away, between Petersfield and Portsmouth, and is described by the NGS as “a 3 acre partly-walled plantsman’s garden for all seasons”, and has been favourably reviewed in the ‘Country Gardener’ magazine. following a recent September visit: ‘This garden, created by Diana and David Hart Dyke over 36 years has become an enchanting and peaceful oasis in the centre of historic Hambledon. Diana was for many years a member of the RHS Herbaceous Plant Trials Committee and Presenter of Channel 4’s All Gardens Great and Small, and her passion and extensive knowledge is reflected in a rich variety of unusual plants and planting combinations. In a largely informal garden, a huge elephant-shaped yew arch divides long double borders of shrubs and plants for all seasons spilling over brick paths. Elsewhere paths meander through interesting and attractive planting, lawns slope upwards behind the mellow brick and flint house and hidden corners reveal views of the church and distant village rooftops. In September the salvias among late perennials and grasses are seen at their best.’
To see more, including a delightful video made by Diana (and including Miranda) click on this link: https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/10818/hambledon_house
RHS Wisley needs little introduction, but it may well be that you haven’t visited recently because of the roadworks nearby. So perhaps you haven’t experienced the new entrance road, quite apart from the ongoing planting work that happens within the gardens. The garden centre has been well stocked this year, with quite an emphasis on unusual plants too.
It’s good to know that the 714 bus (from Kingston to Guildford now stops at the entrance, and that there is also a bus link from Woking station to the gardens.
Arrangements for the day are as follows:
09:30 Depart by coach from the (old) Marquis of Granby car park
Refreshments and visit at Hambledon House
Midday approx. Depart for Wisley
Afternoon visit at Wisley
17:00-17:30 Arrive back at Marquis of Granby
Cost for the day: coach travel, refreshments and entry to Hambleson, entry to Wisley, tip for the driver. Note that the EMGS committee has kindly subsidised the cost of this visit, so please do support the event. Price per member £42.00.