Lord Wandsworth College Opens Gardens to Visitors
Lord Wandsworth College near Hook is inviting everyone to explore the gardens of its
1200-acre estate next weekend.
For the third consecutive year, the independent school, which has one of the largest school campuses in England, is throwing open its gates as part of the National Open Garden Scheme.
In return for a small donation to the NGS, visitors will be able to explore the grounds that have been described as 'More akin to an RHS Garden,' with 'immaculate flowerbeds and stunning floral arches, surrounded by pristine pitches.'
Highlights this year include tulip-filled borders boasting fruit cocktail-inspired colour, magnolia and cherry blossom-lined pathways leading to manicured lawns and textured gardens set alongside the college’s multi-million-pound Flowers Science Centre.
Buried below the centre, which opened in 2023, is a large underground tank to collect rainwater from the building’s roof. This helps to irrigate college grounds, relieving pressure on the mains supply and supporting LWC’s long-term commitment to sustainability. Much of the planting and garden design at the college has been developed to enhance learning, with calming colour and texture used to support life at LWC.
Head Gardener at Lord Wandsworth College, Jane Dickens added, '
I want to inspire a love of horticulture in children and for them to be permanently interested in their surroundings. In years to come, they will hopefully remember plants and flowers that were growing here and plant them in their own gardens, because they remind them of the happy years they spent here.'
Lord Wandsworth College will be open to the public on Saturday, 18th and Sunday, 19th April from 11am to 3pm. Adult tickets can be purchased for £4 in advance via the National Garden Scheme website or visitors can pay for entry on the day. Children are free and dogs are welcome.
There will also be an Easter egg hunt for younger visitors, a plant sale, homemade refreshments and a 5km bluebell walk for those keen to venture further into the college grounds.
Each year, the National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,300 exceptional private gardens across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. The money raised goes towards supporting nursing and health charities.
April 2026