Kate Middleton's RHS Back to Nature Garden has had an overwhelmingly positive impact – so much so that the RHS gained a record number of more than 12,000 new members in May.
The Duchess of Cambridge co-designed the feature garden with landscape architects Andrée Davies and Adam White for the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in May, and it was the talk of the show.
The woodland themed-garden, which has since been relocated to the Devon Partnership NHS Trust's Dewnans Centre in Dawlish for patients and hospital staff to enjoy, included a hollow log, den, waterfall, stream and a treehouse. The Duchess was very hands on throughout the process and she even enlisted her children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to help decorate the garden.
'It’s wonderful this collaboration with HRH The Duchess of Cambridge continues and carries on inspiring families to get together and enjoy the great outdoors and get back to nature,' says Sue Biggs, RHS Director General. 'The impact of the RHS Back to Nature Garden at Chelsea resulted in a record month for RHS Membership, with over 12,000 people joining us in May to support our charitable work and get outside gardening.
'This is incredibly positive and shows how powerful this collaboration is, really motivating people to garden, grow and access outside space and nature, which is good for their health and also for the environment and for wildlife.'
It's no surprise really. When news of Kate's Chelsea garden design debut first broke, it led to an overnight doubling of ticket sales, with tickets selling out some two weeks ahead of when it sold out the previous year. It's what has become known as the 'Kate Middleton Effect'.
Kate has now co-designed a second garden, this time at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (previously called the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show) which runs from 2-7 July 2019. The garden maintains many elements of the original, but includes new features such as a pond, wildflower meadow, rolling hill and summer planting.
It might be another garden for the Duchess but it still carries the same message: encouraging families and communities to engage with nature and spend time in the great outdoors.
'RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival has a much more laid back feeling than RHS Chelsea and two children up to age 16 can visit free per paying adult, so we hope lots of families will come and join in the fun, be inspired and then go home and garden together,' adds Sue.
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RHS Membership
You can buy an individual or joint RHS Membership but whatever package you choose, there are many benefits.
You can enjoy unlimited days out in the RHS' four gardens – Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor and Wisley (its fifth garden, Bridgewater, will open in 2020) – plus get exclusive access to shows and expert advice, all while helping to support the RHS' extensive charitable work.
You also get access to Members' Days or savings on tickets to RHS Shows like the Chelsea Flower Show, and free member access to more than 200 RHS Partner Gardens.
Kate hosted a picnic for her patronages in the Back to Nature Garden at RHS Hampton on Monday (1st July), and was joined by children from Hampton Hill Junior School to explore the garden.
The garden supports the Duchess' work in highlighting how time spent in natural environments can help in building the foundations for positive physical and mental wellbeing that last through childhood and over a lifetime.
So, what next? Well, the Back to Nature Garden will be relocated to its permanent home at RHS Garden Wisley in September. This brand new feature at Wisley – one of the world’s most famous gardens – is sure to attract crowds and provide another space for children and families to play in and enjoy.
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The best garden furniture sets for your outdoor space
Blending function with form, this stylish set includes two rattan chairs, a matching rattan sofa and a glass-topped table. We love the hairpin legs and the grey cushions (not to mention the price!).
We're big fans of Dusk's affordable (and equally stylish) indoor furniture range, so we're, naturally, excited to see the brand has launched its first-ever outdoor sofa range. Available in natural or grey, the range has a variety of sofa sizes and accessories on offer.
This is the ultimate garden furniture set. With its textured cord finish and smoked glass table top, this set exudes style and comfort. It includes a three-seater and two-seater sofa, configured into a corner unit, as well as two smart stools – perfect for entertaining.
Rio L-Shape Corner Modular Garden Set with Fire Pit Table
Impress your guests with a garden furniture set that comes complete with a fire pit table. This ultra-contemporary set can seat up to six people around a cosy fire pit – keeping them warm on those chillier evenings.
Add a little bit of luxury to your garden with Garden Trading's Colwell sofa set. Made from durable rope and acacia wood, this chic set is giving us Ibiza poolside vibes!
This black and cream outdoor corner sofa set would complement any contemporary or Scandinavian-inspired garden. Featuring two loveseats, a corner seat and a coffee table, you can arrange this set in a number of ways.
At just £380, this chic outdoor dining set from Homebase is incredible value. It has a powder-coated steel frame and rattan edges for durability and effortless style.
Here's another garden furniture set from Outsunny that we're loving. This compact (but mighty!) set comes with a two-seater sofa, two armchairs and a matching table – ideal for gardens, patios and even balconies.
We just had to include this rope effect garden furniture set from Amazon. It's been designed with tapered black legs and natural rope for a lovely Scandi look. An added bonus? It comes with matching cream cushions.
We love this stylish garden dining set. Its modern finish will add some chicness to your patio, and there’s a parasol hole as well.
Beach Teak Wood Garden Dining Table and 6 Graphite Butterfly Armchairs
This outdoor dining table and chair set is oozing with contemporary style. Featuring an industrial style table and six black aluminium chairs, this set is ideal for creating a cool, urban jungle aesthetic in your garden.
Relax and soak up the sun with this luxe day bed. With a sleek grey aluminium finish, it includes one sofa with a canopy, and a pouffe.
Kit out your patio for all the family with this lovely outdoor set. With a glass table top, four chairs and four stools all neatly tucked under the table, it won't clutter your outdoor space either.
Who said stylish outdoor furniture was just for adults? Your little ones can relax in style with this charming wooden garden furniture set from KidKraft. It comes with striped cushions and a matching adjustable umbrella that offers shady relief from the summer sun.
Looking to kick back and relax in your garden? This hand-woven, rattan effect mini corner sofa set comes with a cushion-top table that doubles as a footrest.
This stylish daybed makes the perfect outdoor spot to snuggle up with a book. Crafted from durable PE rattan, it comes with a showerproof extendable canopy so you can avoid getting wet during unexpected rain showers. At just under £300, we think it's a fab price for such a roomy piece of furniture.
Serving up your signature summer cocktail? Don't let the party begin without snapping up this fun tiki bar set from Amazon. The set includes two stools and a large shelf to store all of your favourite drinks.
Quirky and functional, this Nordic rattan patio set is ideal for maximising space in your garden. Simply tuck the stylish curved chairs away when you're not using them to free up floor space. This is one our favourite space-saving garden furniture pieces.
Maze Rattan Garden Furniture Winchester 8 Seat Round Dining Set with Venice Chairs & Ice Bucket
Add a touch of heritage charm to your garden with the Winchester outdoor dining set. Not only will the deep-filled cushions provide ultimate comfort, but the integrated ice bucket will serve as a stylish and practical addition to keep your drinks cool.
Introduce bright, bold colour into your garden with this statement blue garden furniture set from Dunelm. With a striking yet compact egg design and metal legs, it's great for small spaces.
Olivia Heath is the Daily Editor at House Beautiful. Heading up all things digital, Olivia loves nothing more than uncovering tomorrow's biggest design trends and revealing the best tips and tricks to help you decorate your home like an interior designer. Week by week Olivia shares the most stylish high street buys to help you get the look for less (while compiling her very own, and rather lengthy, homeware lust list) and showcases the best makeovers (who doesn't love a before & after?), as well as the hottest and most unique properties on the market.
Having covered interiors and gardens for the past seven years, Olivia’s work has also appeared on Elle Decor US, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Red, Prima, Elle Japan, Modern Living and Micasa Revista.
Prior to joining House Beautiful, Olivia worked at Reveal magazine, where she reported on celebrity and entertainment news by day, and attended showbiz parties and red carpet events by night! Olivia has an MA in Journalism with an NCTJ qualification, as well as a BA in Journalism and Media & Cultural Studies.
