Coach Trip to Wisley 17th July 

This year we will visit Wisley. We will leave Walton Ponds at 9.30am, Tadworth Bridge 9.35am and Lower Kingswood at 9.40am. The aim will be to get back to Walton Ponds at 5pm.

In 2024 RHS commissioned Piet Oudoff to re-design the area he originally set out in 2021 which featured two borders displaying perennial plants laid out in a naturalistic style. The area has been better designed to reflect his signature style with meandering paths and over 150 different perennial plants providing interest throughout the year.

The fruit garden was under development in January and may be completed by the time we visit.

We will leave Wisley at 3.30 pm.

The cost of this year’s trip will be £20 per person. We would ask for payment in advance by 28th June either by cheque payable to KWTHS, bank transfer or cash at the Early Summer Show.

Please contact David/Cathy to reserve your space, confirm pick up point and if you need a mobility scooter, as these need to be pre-booked.

Self-Drive to Titsey Place in Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0SA.  This an impressive manor house with beautiful gardens set in the stunning countryside of the North Downs, on 20th August 2025.

One of the largest surviving historical estates in Surrey. Magnificent ancestral home and gardens of the Gresham family since 1534. Stunning gardens including the walled kitchen gardens, landscaped lakes, and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Rose Garden.15 acres of Formal and Informal gardens.

Our visit includes a guided tour of the gardens, followed by a guided house tour. Due to numbers there will be two tours.

Garden tour and House 1.30pm and 2.30pm

Garden tour and House 2.30pm and 3.30pm

You will need to state your preference when booking, however we may need to ask you to change if one slot is over-subscribed.

Costs are £15 per person (if you are a member of the Historical Houses Association (HHA) please let us know as there is a reduction to £5 per person). Numbers are limited so book your place and we will require payment by 13th August (the date of the AGM). You can pay by bank transfer or by cash at the AGM.

The tea rooms are open from 1.00pm if you want any refreshments. 

The House and Gardens come highly recommended. Here is what visitors to Titsey Place & Gardens had to say:

“Stunning extensive walled garden planted with gorgeous varieties of blooms including dahlias, cosmos, sunflowers, herbs, squashes and pumpkins.

Charming doorways and arches through to separate rose garden, lawns, pond and a delightful walk to a third garden.

All surrounded by gorgeous views. Parking and teashop selling home made cakes, ice creams and drinks with gluten free and vegan options.”

“This is a great garden that’s worth the effort of planning to visit the few days it’s open! The walled garden and shrub borders are lovely.”

“The gardens are beautiful and well worth a visit. You can go on a guided tour of the house, but no photos as the owners still live there. 

 

 Caroline Halfpenny Saturday 4 October 2025 @10.30 in the Meeting Room talking about Garden Design Techniques - the use of plants in Design 

This a return visit by Caroline who talked about scented plants in the garden in 2024 which was a delight to attend and very interesting.

Caroline is passionate about gardening and the landscape, she began her horticultural career with Gravesham Borough Council with responsibility for the Grounds Maintenance Contracts from the Riverside out to Camer Park. In addition she managed to secure the role of Allotments Officer which she loved, as she enjoys growing fruit and vegetables and wandering round allotments was a dream job.  She was guilty of organising the daffodils growing through the verges from Meopham to Gravesend (cheeky as it was her route to work).

She then became a self employed gardener while she completed her degree in Landscape Management and became a Mum.

From 2007 to 2014 she managed the Diploma in Horticulture at Hadlow College at both the Tonbridge and Canterbury site, in addition to lecturing at all levels from schools and Foundation through to Higher Education. She still lectures part time today as well as running Growth Matters , which covers all her loves Gardening and Education.

Barry Newman will be giving a talk on THE MODERN KITCHEN GARDEN on 1 November @ 10.30 at St John's Church, The Avenue,Tadworth,KT20 5AB 

A general talk in three parts, covering the traditional approach to growing vegetables then moving on to container growing for those with limited space and finally to raised bed cultivation which I regard as the modern way ahead for those wishing to grow for the table.

Barry is a well known grower, exhibitor, lecturer and judge.

He is a member of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Committee and a former Chairman of the National Vegetable Society.

As well as being a senior NVS judge, Barry serves on the judging and lecturing panel of the RHS he is also a Britain in Bloom judge. 

Barry was formally trained in horticulture at Pershore, York and Bath.

Much of his working life was in local authority amenity provision around the country, retiring in 2005. 

In 2022 Barry was awarded the Kew Guild Medal for distinguished service to the horticultural industry. 

 

Roses Revisited ‘ – the old , the new and what to do’  A Talk by  Gillian Taylor 31 January 2026 Main Hall @ 3.00 pm
This is the story of how Gillian became a lover of Roses so that from having only two a few years ago she has progressed to growing around 250 varieties in her collection. The talk will discuss the diverse types of Rose that are available, where to buy them, how to use them in various garden settings, where to see them, their care, and suggestions for companion plants to use with them. 

Steve Edney returns 7 March 2026 @ 3.00 in Main Hall

Topic details to follow