Muddy Stilettos


<p>One for little lego fans. One for grown-up gardeners. And one for anyone who believes a family day out is significantly improved by cake. This summer, <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/articles/summer-holiday-fun" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brick Explorers at RHS Gardens</a> has found the sweet spot, filling their borders with 61 life-size wildlife sculptures in four locations made from more than 400,000 bricks. And frankly, it&#8217;s blooming (geddit?) brilliant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-flower-beds-just-got-a-whole-lot-cooler">1. Flower beds just got a whole lot cooler</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2-5.jpg" alt="RHS Explorers Dragonfly" class="wp-image-144086" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2-5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2-5-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2-5-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If your kids generally regard a visit to a garden as cruel and unusual punishment, the RHS may have just upped the ante. That’s because hidden among the beds, in the trees and throughout the RHS Gardens in Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Surrey and Essex, are more than 60 brick wildlife sculptures for littlies to hunt down. From larger-than-life ladybirds and tawny owls to glowing mushrooms, it&#8217;s a bit like Pokémon Go, but with birds, bugs and blooms. And way more exciting than being shown another variety of hydrangea.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-david-attenborough-would-approve">2. David Attenborough would approve</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-5.jpg" alt="RHs Brick Explorers bee" class="wp-image-144085" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-5-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-5-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s more to this than brick bugs. The mission? Find 10 wildlife &#8216;superheroes&#8217; hidden along the garden trail and discover their rather nifty superpowers. Kids pick up stickers and learn about the clever ways birds, bugs, plants and fungi all help each other survive. Basically, it&#8217;s education cunningly disguised as an excellent day out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-the-brick-sculptures-are-seriously-impressive">3. The brick sculptures are seriously impressive</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/RHS-Brick-Explorers-Hedgehog.jpg" alt="RHS Brick Explorers Hedgehog" class="wp-image-144089" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/RHS-Brick-Explorers-Hedgehog.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/RHS-Brick-Explorers-Hedgehog-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/RHS-Brick-Explorers-Hedgehog-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>We&#8217;re not talking about something your eight-year-old knocked up over breakfast. Some of these creations stand almost 6ft tall, and collectively use more than 433,000 bricks (counting that lot must have been fun) and weigh a whopping 1.7 tonnes. Created by Surrey-based Iconic Bricks, they&#8217;re part art installations, part engineering marvel and wholly Instagrammable. Plus each RHS Garden has a different set of sculptures, so if you loved the brickie experience near you, break for the borders and make a day trip further afield.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-build-now-tidy-never">4. Build now, tidy never</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-49.png" alt="RHS Brick explorers Fox" class="wp-image-144092" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-49.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-49-514x600.png 514w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-49-857x1000.png 857w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-49-1317x1536.png 1317w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Our favourite bit? There&#8217;ll be no ouchy bricks lurking under your bare feet here. Every RHS garden has hands-on building stations where children can unleash their inner architect, from transforming a grey brick city into a wildlife-friendly green paradise to creating magical gardens of their own. They get all the fun of building. You get to leave every single brick behind when you go home. Everybody wins.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-every-rhs-garden-plays-it-differently">5. Every RHS garden plays it differently</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-21T122632.920-1000x667.jpg" alt="Family fun" class="wp-image-143929" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-21T122632.920-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-21T122632.920-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-21T122632.920.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Whichever RHS Garden you choose, there&#8217;s an extra twist – not only does each location have its own unique set of sculptures, the kids&#8217; activities are unique too. Wisley has an interactive build station where children can green up an entire brick city. Hyde Hall adds storytelling walks and giant building blocks for younger visitors. Bridgewater brings the drama with immersive theatre via Buzz, from the <a href="https://www.colourtheclouds.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colour the Clouds Theatre Company</a>. Rosemoor hosts special workshops, while Harlow Carr challenges families to help create a magical brick garden. Apologies in advance if your children suddenly decide they need to visit all five. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-plot-twist-you-ll-still-be-there-at-tea-time">6. Plot twist: You&#8217;ll still be there at tea time</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-21T122703.022-1000x667.jpg" alt="Children having fun" class="wp-image-143931" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-21T122703.022-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-21T122703.022-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-21T122703.022.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Come for the giant brick wildlife, stay for a full-blown RHS day out. Pack some M&amp;S picky bits for a picnic beneath the trees or refuel with a flat white and obligatory slab of flapjack in one of the excellent RHS cafés. Then set off on <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/articles/wind-in-the-willows-garden-adventure" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Wind in the Willows: A Garden Adventure</em></a>, an interactive family trail featuring Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr Toad, before browsing for books, toys and gardening bits &#8216;n&#8217; bobs in the RHS Shop. Money’s worth? Absolutely!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-to-know">NEED TO KNOW</h2>



<p><strong>Where:</strong> <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Wisle</a><a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">y</a>&nbsp;(Surrey), <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Bridgewater</a> (Greater Manchester), <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hyde Hall</a> (Essex), <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Rosemoor</a> (Devon) and <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Harlow Carr</a> (Yorkshire).</p>



<p><strong>When:</strong> <strong>11 July – 31 Aug </strong>at Wisley; <strong>18 July – 31 Aug</strong> at RHS Bridgewater, Hyde Hall and Rosemoor; <strong>18 July – 6</strong> <strong>Sep</strong> at RHS Harlow Carr.</p>



<p><strong>Cost:</strong> <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/articles/visiting-the-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Garden admission</a>&nbsp;– save with reduced VAT. Free for RHS members with up to two children. Under 5s, free; kids aged 5-16, £5.25. Trail booklets available while stocks last.</p>



<p><strong>Muddy tip:</strong> Go early. The gardens are looking glorious in peak summer, and you&#8217;ll have a better chance of snapping those RHS Brick Explorer sculptures before everyone else discovers them. Plus, cake tastes even better before noon. We don&#8217;t make the rules.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



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</ul>


Lego, gardens and cake? The ultimate family day out at RHS Gardens

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