RHS Wisley is the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society. It is a world-renowned centre for horticultural excellence, scientific research, and inspiring garden design. Each year, it welcomes over a million visitors.

The Inspiring to Grow project is one of the most ambitious transformations in the Royal Horticultural Society’s 220-year history. It involved a major redevelopment of RHS Wisley, expanding its scientific, educational, and visitor facilities. The project aims to inspire more people to engage with gardening, sustainability, and the natural world.

Our multi-year evaluation of the project, tracked long-term organisational and audience change. Our work demonstrated the project’s success in broadening participation, embedding new ways of working, and positioning horticulture as more relevant to contemporary society. 

The evaluation also captured the project’s legacy, showing how insights from Wisley are informing RHS-wide strategic change, including public engagement models, volunteering, and the development of RHS Strategy 2030. By evidencing both immediate results and sustained impact, our work has ensured that the project continues to shape the Society’s vision for the future.