Visitors to the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Hyde Hall garden can now take advantage of newly installed electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities, introduced as part of a wider commitment to deliver 90 charge points across all five RHS gardens.

Set in the Essex countryside near Chelmsford, Hyde Hall has added 16 enhanced EV charging bays featuring both fast (up to 22kW) and rapid (up to 50kW) options. The chargers went live on Friday, January 23, with complimentary charging available during the launch week from Monday, February 9 to Sunday, February 15.

This is the first installation in a phased programme to introduce EV charging across the RHS estate, delivered in partnership with RAW Charging, the leading destination charging provider for hospitality, leisure and retail locations across the UK and Europe.

The new charging infrastructure supports the RHS’s ambition to become climate positive by 2030. With over one million EVs now on UK roads, the need for accessible and dependable charging continues to grow. Hyde Hall’s facilities provide a valuable convenience for the garden’s 400,000+ yearly visitors and its 500‑space car park.

Malcolm Anderson, Head of Sustainability at the RHS, said:
“This initiative aligns with our commitment to sustainability and improving the visitor experience. Installing 90 EV charging bays across our five gardens will make it easier for visitors to enjoy their time with us while helping reduce the carbon emissions associated with travel by private car. This complements our ongoing efforts to improve access to our gardens through active travel and public transport.”

Fast chargers are well suited to the average visit length at Hyde Hall, supporting a full charge for most EVs within four to five hours—ideal for a full day exploring the 365‑acre site. Rapid chargers offer additional flexibility, with the potential to fully recharge a vehicle in one to two hours for shorter visits. All chargers support simple contactless payments and can also be accessed via a dedicated app.

Jason Simpson, CEO of RAW Charging, commented:
“Our focus is on connecting amazing places, and RHS gardens such as Hyde Hall are perfect examples of destinations where reliable EV charging adds real value for visitors. Seamless charging is now an essential service for leading heritage and leisure locations, providing sustainable, convenient and cost‑effective options for the growing number of EV drivers. We are proud to support the RHS by integrating charging solutions that enhance the visitor journey and provide peace of mind throughout their stay.”

The installation forms part of RAW Charging’s Connecting Amazing Places campaign, which is expanding EV charging across a diverse range of destinations, including sites operated by the RHS, the National Trust and Merlin Entertainments, such as Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures. This continued rollout enables residents and day‑trippers to travel more sustainably while supporting the RHS on its path to becoming climate positive by 2030.

To access free charging during the launch period, visitors must register for RAW Rewards at rawcharging.com/rewards. Complimentary charging is available exclusively via the ChargePoint App and not through contactless payment.