Garden attraction scoops tourism award

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Greenhouse enthusiasts in the South East may be interested in paying the Royal Horticultural Societys (RHS) Garden Wisley site a visit after it scooped a major award.

The site won Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Tourism Awards South East 2009, with the prize-giving ceremony taking place last week (October 22nd).

Garden head James Rudoni explained that staff have been working hard to implement a number of changes over the past year.

"Our Grow Your Own campaign has gone from strength to strength and there is more choice for families following the introduction of new activities, the return of the Maize Maze and the opening of a new play area," he said.

Visitor numbers between January and September 2009 were up 22 per cent year-on-year.

Tomorrow (October 31st), the site will host pumpkin carving for Halloween, with the RHS keen to boost kids interest in horticulture.

Meanwhile, the RHS recently launched a survey to discover how garden and greenhouse enthusiasts spend time with their children and grandchildren.

Participants in the research stand the chance of winning a years free membership of to the organisation.