A British Garden Association

It all begins with planting a seed. An idea.

We believe a bright future lies ahead for all Gardens, especially across the British Isles. One of our priority initiatives is to help establish a new self-supporting Association of British Gardens (ABG). This is at concept stage. We have floated the idea with a number of directors of important UK gardens open to the public and garden tourism influencers. The next step is to outline what such an organisation would do and share that with more key decision makers in the garden sector, with the aim to gauge appetite, level of support and a ‘GO’ or ‘NO’ for moving forward. If it is a ‘GO’ this would be a not-for-profit (charity) professional membership organisation (ie - gardens as the main members / at an organisation, corporate & professional level). The ABG would have a clear mission that aligns with the wider UK garden sector (i.e., specifically gardens open to the public - including those open year round, seasonally and for special occasions / charity events).

Put another way … there is:

  • APGA: The American Association of Public Gardens -500 members and the voice of gardens in America

  • BGANZ: The Botanic Gardens of Australia and New Zealand – 48 gardens and the voice of gardens in Australia and New Zealand

  • CGC: The Canadian Garden Council representing 20 Canadian gardens and running a Garden Tourism trail, conferences, and research initiatives.

  • IAG: Italian Association of Gardens with a network of 149 gardens stretching from Switzerland to Sciliy.

The Question is: Why do we not have a UK Garden Association?

An organisation such as this could provide:

  • Research

  • Lobbying on policy to national & regional Governments in the UK, the EU and also tourist boards & DMOs et al.

  • Data, best practice and knowledge sharing

  • Conferences and meetings for shared networking

  • UK Garden Awards with specific awards for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and local regions

  • Support cross-border cooperation with gardens & policy makers in the Republic of Ireland, the EU and US

If you support this initiative OR would like to find out more please register your interest in the form below. We will be in touch to discuss details and how could help. Alternatively please contact Dylan Fuller either directly via email: dylan[at]garden-toursim.com OR via LinkedIn HERE.