RHS Wisley blames roadworks for visitor decline

The garden was previously ranked as the 14th most popular attraction in the UK in 2022

A Surrey attraction has blamed roadworks for its drop in visitors numbers.

RHS Garden Wisley in Woking fell to the 21st most popular UK attraction in 2023.

A spokesperson said roadworks had "severely impacted" the garden, which was ranked 14th in 2022.

Despite this, the attraction was visited 10 per cent more in 2023 than in 2019.

Dr Tim Upson, RHS director of gardens and horticulture, said: “We are really pleased that RHS Garden Wisley has emerged as the UK’s second top outdoor attraction, behind Windsor Castle."

He added that the fact supporters keep coming back "despite challenges with access" is a testament to the staff and volunteers who dedicate hours to the garden.

Explaining the reason for its drop in 2023, Dr Upson said: “RHS Garden Wisley has dropped from 14th place overall in 2022 to 21st to 2023 in large part due to the roadworks which have severely impacted on visitor numbers to the garden.

"We were forced to close the garden during one of our main events – the RHS Festival of Flavours – and further roadworks throughout the year made it difficult for people to get to the garden even when open, whether by car or public transport."

With developments and events planned for the summer, RHS says it is confident that its numbers will increase as access becomes easier.

Jonathan Wade, senior project manager at National Highways, told BBC Radio Surrey it had been engaging with organisations including RHS Wisley for the past six years.

“It’s not so much the queue getting into the place but it’s the queues getting out of the place and rejoining the A3 that has been particularly challenging,” Mr Wade said.

National Highways has been working to connect the new bridge it built in October with the existing Wisley lane, but Mr Wade said the water levels have been a “little bit challenging” in completing the work.

He told BBC Radio Surrey it would be a "safer route into the site” and he was “looking forward to opening that road”.

Chris Howard, chairman of VisitSurrey, said although roadworks were "terribly painful" at the moment, he was "really excited" that the new infrastructure would make it easier to access the site.