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
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
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
Wednesday 7 October	A special talk from Dr Gina Muskett Here is perpetual spring…Garden Buildings in the Classical Style in 18th century Britain	The 18th century saw the height of popularity of the European ‘Grand Tour’, an extended visit whose aim was to see the ruins of Ancient Rome. The influence of the Grand Tour on architects and their clients is apparent in the fashion in Britain for garden buildings in the classical style. This talk will review examples of this type of garden building and their various uses, including conservatories for cultivating exotic trees and plants, sculpture galleries and as venues for lavish entertainment. £3 per ticket.

Date

Title & Speaker

Details

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

Wednesday 7 October

A special talk from Dr Gina Muskett

Here is perpetual spring…Garden Buildings in the Classical Style in 18th century Britain

The 18th century saw the height of popularity of the European ‘Grand Tour’, an extended visit whose aim was to see the ruins of Ancient Rome. The influence of the Grand Tour on architects and their clients is apparent in the fashion in Britain for garden buildings in the classical style. This talk will review examples of this type of garden building and their various uses, including conservatories for cultivating exotic trees and plants, sculpture galleries and as venues for lavish entertainment.

£3 per ticket.

Click here to book your place on a members talk