The RSPB and RHS Swift Garden, designed by the landscape architect, Lilly Gomm and the assistant Head Gardener at Great Dixter, Coralie Thomas, will bring to life one part of the migratory journey of one of the UK’s most remarkable yet threatened birds.
Swifts are small but mighty, flying from the savannahs and forests of Africa to the towns and cities of the UK – and back again, every year. During its lifetime, a single Swift can fly an astonishing two million miles – the equivalent of four round trips to the Moon. These magnificent birds spend nearly their entire lives in flight – eating, drinking, mating, bathing and even sleeping on the wing, and they depend on healthy insect populations and suitable nesting sites for their survival. Unfortunately, their numbers have plummeted by 68% between 1995 and 2023, and they are now on the UK Red List of birds of highest conservation concern.
“I’m thrilled to be designing the RSPB and RHS Swift Garden with Coralie. These magnificent birds are a true symbol of summer skies and they need our help. By showcasing habitats rich in biodiversity and the small changes we can all make – like planting insect-friendly flowers or installing Swift boxes – I hope visitors will feel inspired to take action for wildlife in their own gardens,” said Gomm.
The RHS and RSPB swift garden
The Swift Garden aims to raise awareness of the species’ dramatic decline while celebrating their awe-inspiring journeys. It will represent the varied habitats that Swifts fly and feed over during their breeding season in the UK– including meadows, woodlands, and gardens –whilst highlighting the importance of planting for biodiversity. By encouraging gardeners to grow diverse, insect-friendly plantings, the garden promotes practical steps everyone can take to support these birds, and much other wildlife besides
A key feature of the garden will be sculptural representations of their nesting sites – such as Swift bricks – that can be introduced into domestic homes and other buildings to help Swifts thrive.
Part of the team, the comedian and musician Bill Bailey: “Swifts are majestic birds. I’m delighted to be joining forces with the RSPB and the RHS to bring attention to these incredible aerial acrobats, whose presence is such a joyful part of summer. Their dramatic decline is deeply worrying but there’s still a lot we can do to help. This garden is not only a celebration of Swifts but also a timely reminder that by making our homes and gardens more wildlife-friendly, we can all play a part in securing their future.”
The RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival runs from 1st – 6th July 2025. The line-up and highlights of this year’s show can be read here.
