Latest news with #RHSRosemoor
Daily Mail
10-08-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Barking up the wrong trees: RHS visitors left howling over trial that lets in dogs to garden
Royal Horticultural Society chiefs have been hounded by members – over opening its gardens to dogs for the first time. Visitors of RHS Rosemoor in Torrington, Devon, are now able to walk their pet on short leads three days a week. But at the annual general meeting held at Rosemoor, top brass were dogged by complaints about the trial being a stepping stone to introducing the same policy across other RHS gardens. Members' misgivings included accounts of children being licked by dogs and wildlife such as dormice being killed. An outraged member said: 'I am not against people having dogs but... we have a lot of vulnerable people and children who come here.' She added that providing bags and scoopers for dog poo would 'change the atmosphere'. Another member said: 'I have unfortunately come across dead dormice where I have actually seen the dog ahead of me kill it. 'We are guardians of these grounds and every plant, animal, insect and that's why I am concerned about these dog days.' One member has also threatened to cancel her membership if dog days are made permanent at the end of the trial. RHS president Keith Weed told the AGM the trial would be closely monitored until September before any decision is made. He said: 'The great thing about a trial is to learn from it. We had this debate at the last AGM and it was a bit noisier from those in favour of dogs.' Dogs are not currently allowed in most RHS gardens, except for at planned 'walkie' events. Under the trial at Rosemoor, dogs under the control of owners on a short lead are permitted on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in specific areas. But there is a strict 'paws on paths' policy and restricted zones such as the children's play area and the vegetable gardens. The six-month trial comes after the RHS commissioned Monty Don to create a dog-friendly garden for the Chelsea Flower Show – the first time the BBC Gardeners' World presenter had designed a space at the event. Don took his beloved golden retriever Ned to try out his garden's features for dogs, including a lawn, water to wallow in and trees to cast shade. It also followed a National Trust plan to install 'wee poles' to prevent dogs from urinating on trees and historic buildings at some sites. High amounts of dog urine can increase the acidity of the soil and affect plants and the surrounding environment, the Trust said.
Telegraph
22-03-2025
- General
- Telegraph
RHS opens garden door to dogs for first time
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to allow dogs into its gardens for the first time. Visitors to RHS Rosemoor in Great Torrington, Devon, will be able to walk with their pets around the sculpture garden, woodlands and other areas of the centre including the stream field, lake and arboretums. It is part of a trial that could pave the way for other gardens to become dog-friendly. Currently dogs are not allowed into most RHS gardens, except for planned 'walkie' events. Under the new trial – a reaction to the high levels of dog ownership in the South West – dogs will need to be on a short lead and are only permitted on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There will be a strict 'paws on paths' policy and restricted zones such as the children's play area and the vegetable gardens. Short leads will be available on loan to those who arrive with long or extendable leads, the RHS said. Although there are no current plans to welcome dogs at other RHS centres, it may be considered in the future. 'We are collecting feedback from guests (those with and without pets) to help inform all future decisions,' an RHS spokesman told The Telegraph. It comes after the RHS commissioned Monty Don to create a dog-friendly themed garden for the Chelsea Flower Show in collaboration with the BBC – the first time the Gardeners' World presenter has created a garden at Chelsea. It also follows a National Trust plan to install 'wee poles' to prevent dogs from urinating on trees and historic buildings. The Telegraph reported last year that 3ft wooden posts were to be put up on the grounds of a 'handful of sites', including Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire, to encourage dogs to urinate in the same spot. High amounts of dog urine can increase the acidity of the soil and affect plants and the surrounding environment, the Trust said. The RHS said that it doesn't currently have any plans to introduce 'wee poles' across Rosemoor at the moment. While the plan will be welcomed by many, environmentalists may be concerned about the effect on the wildlife. Loose dogs in wild places can disturb the ecosystem, trample nests and transmit diseases to wildlife, according to The Wildlife Trusts. Their presence can influence feeding or foraging behaviours of wildlife as they are less likely to breed and feed in areas where dogs have been. Dogs could also pollute ponds if they enter the water, with chemicals present on their fur or skin, such as flea treatment, leaching into the water. 'Allowing controlled access at RHS Rosemoor with dogs on short leads and under the control of their owner should prevent damage to plants and wildlife,' the spokesman said. 'Dogs at RHS Rosemoor will not be permitted in fruit and vegetable gardens, formal gardens, or lawns, so there will be no risk of impact on food grown in the garden, or the grass,' they added.
