Chelsea Flower Show garden gifted to Oxford hospital

Parkinson’s UK was awarded a show garden at the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show this May, putting together A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey.

It was designed by award-winning gardener and BBC presenter Arit Anderson, and the garden reflects the journey of living with Parkinson’s and invites people to experience the benefits of gardening.

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The garden won the People’s Choice Award 2026, voted for by the public at the show.

Parkinson’s UK’ show garden: A Garden For Every Parkinson’s Journey, designed by Arit Anderson (Image: Stephen Studd photography)

After the show ended on Saturday, May 23, the garden was de-constructed by the charity and it is hoped it will be reconstructed in the grounds of the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Parkinson’s UK’s director of fundraising and experience, Paul Jackson-Clark, said: “Plans are already under way for the garden’s relocation to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, a Parkinson’s Centre of Excellence, ensuring that the Parkinson’s community can continue to enjoy and benefit from its lasting legacy.

“However, the garden’s final layout and structural elements are subject to planning permission and listed building consent.”

Parkinson’s UK’ show garden: A Garden For Every Parkinson’s Journey, designed by Arit Anderson (Image: Stephen Studd photography)

A planning application has been submitted to Oxford City Council to install the show garden in curtilage of the historic Manor House, the oldest part of the hospital which was built as a private home around 1770.

The Grade II listed building was sold to the Trustees of the Radcliffe Infirmary to use as a training school for nurses in 1917, and in the 1970s the John Radcliffe Hospital was built on the surrounding seven acre estate.

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The proposed site for the Parkinson’s UK garden is a green space with trees that would be incorporated into the landscaping of the new garden.

Bonnie Langford and Chelsea pensioners visited the Parkinson’s UK garden at the flower show (Image: Andrea Gilpin)

Plans show colourful planted flower beds around a curved walkway path, incorporating timber benches, a sculpture and sun shelter, a pond and trees – just as the show garden appeared in Chelsea – totalling more than £300,000 in plants and features.

A statement from Parkinson’s UK included with the application said: “A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey symbolises the journey of living with Parkinson’s: the moments of adaptation, challenge, hope and connection.

“As part of our commitment to providing a lasting legacy, Parkinson’s has sought a relocation site with deep ties to the charity’s work.

Parkinson’s UK’ show garden: A Garden For Every Parkinson’s Journey, designed by Arit Anderson (Image: Stephen Studd photography)

“After considering five potential locations, we selected the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.”

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The charity said the city was chosen because Parkinson’s UK’s ‘strong links’ with the John Radcliffe’s neurology team and because Oxford hosts its largest volunteer group in the UK, and it has been working with the hospital on the garden since last year.

The statement added: “The garden is very much by the community, for the community and designed to be enjoyed and appreciated by everyone visiting the John Radcliffe Hospital.”

Some plants have already been installed to preserve them due to their life span, but other permanent features will not be added until planning permission is granted.