Events and activities
Our events and activities organised exclusively for members include monthly walks, regular organised coach trips, and a series of talks and lectures. Find out details of upcoming events below.
Walks
Enjoy our free monthly members' walks highlighting the plants and wildlife of Ness Botanic Gardens.
Each walk is limited to 16 people, members only, aged 16 or above.
The walks take place on the first Saturday of each month and have a theme for the time of the season.
The walks starts at 11am, meeting in the Visitor Centre, and will last 60-90 minutes. Please bring your membership card with you to enter the gardens.
Book your place on a members walk
Places are free but must be booked in advance.
Coach trips 2026
We're offering a number of organised coach trips exclusively to our members.
The places are usually limited to one coach, with approximately 40-45 seats. Each member can bring a guest or double memberships can bring two guests.
| Date | Destination | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 20 May | RHS Garden Bridgewater, Worsley, Salford |
The newest RHS garden features 154 acres with many highlights, several cafes and a garden centre for a full days entertainment. | |
| Thursday 18 June | BBC Gardeners’ World, NEC Birmingham |
A visit to BBC Gardeners’ World Live promises a day “filled with garden inspiration, expert advice, tip-top shopping, live entertainment and much more, it’s a must-visit for garden lovers of all levels!" | |
| Wednesday 15 July | Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey | Standing on the banks of the Menai Strait since the 16th century, the grand house is surrounded by 170 acres of gardens, parklands and woods which are home to red squirrels! | |
| Thursday 10 September | Wollerton Old Hall Garden, Market Drayton | A rare chance to visit this "world class example of an Engish Garden" (Chris Beardshaw). The garden is the smallest of our programme but beautifully detailed with lots to see and admire. |
Click here to book your place on a Members coach trip
Talks and lectures 2026
Join us and enjoy our lectures and talks highlighting the plants and wildlife of Ness Botanic Gardens and related subjects of interest.
All members lectures take place in the lecture theatre and start at 2pm.
Booking is limited to member + guest (double memberships can bring 2 guests).
| Date | Title & Speaker | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 3 June |
Butterflies in Wirral |
This talk will review the species of butterfly found in Wirral, from the abundant to the two Red List species found on the peninsula. |
| Wednesday 10 June | Nature recovery; creating and maintaining new flower-rich meadows with Dr Phil Putwain |
Wildflower meadows are vital for biodiversity and offer many ecological benefits. They also may have a positive impact on our personal wellbeing. |
| Sunday 21 June |
Here is perpetual spring…Garden Buildings in the Classical Style in 18th century Britain |
The influence of the 18th century Grand Tour on garden buildings designed in the classical style. |
| Sunday 19 July |
Ness Holt Azaleas |
This is the story of special azalea hybrids that were bred by a local man, Denny Pratt, a lecturer in Botany at Liverpool Polytechnic. |
| Thursday 3 September | The Herbarium preserving our botanical heritage with Donna Young |
The Curator of the Herbarium at National Museums Liverpool, talks about her thirty plus years’ experience of working with its botanical collection. |
| Thursday 17 September | Seasonal highlights at Ness with Mike Roberts |
Our Plant Records Officer, will talk to us about how the season of autumn affects plant growth, colour and gardening tasks and plans at Ness |
Click here to book your place on a members talk