RNIB Talking Books Garden Triumphs at RHS Sandringham
Four ladies are stood in a line reading their RNIB garden leaflets while surrounded by plants and long green grass.
The RNIB Talking Books Garden was one of the highlights of RHS Sandringham in 2026, delighting visitors while sharing the life-changing impact of RNIB’s work. Supported by players of the Postcode Lottery and designed by the talented Paul Hervey-Brookes, the garden celebrated the joy, connection and independence that Talking Books brings to blind and partially sighted people across the UK.
There were thoughtful references to books and libraries throughout the garden. Vertical brickwork resembled book spines, while curved cedar-shingle walls looked like books on a shelf and carried the scent of an old library. Tall ladders echoed those in grand libraries, while symbolising that sight loss need not be a barrier to achievement. The origami-inspired seating and paper-producing plants reinforced the storytelling theme. Modern gramophone-style horns paid tribute to the original Talking Books on vinyl, amplifying specially recorded excerpts from Lynda La Plante, Richard Osman, Bill Brsyon and Lucy Edwards.
The garden was a huge success, winning a Gold Medal, Best Show Garden and Best Construction Award. These prestigious accolades recognised not only the outstanding design, but also the powerful story behind the garden. It gave thousands of visitors the opportunity to learn more about RNIB’s services, including Talking Books, and how gifts in Wills can help ensure that future generations continue to benefit from vital support.
“We’re delighted that the RNIB Talking Books Garden has captured the imagination of so many people at RHS Sandringham. The response to the garden is a reminder that stories have a unique ability to bring comfort, spark memories and create meaningful connections. As the judges noted, it is ‘a highly accomplished garden’ that beautifully tells the history of RNIB Talking Books, and we’re privileged to have shared a story that continues to open the joy of reading for blind and partially sighted people every day.” Helen Smith, Head of Supporter Experience
Over the course of the show, more than 14,000 people visited the garden, many stopped to chat and share their own experiences of sight loss, Talking Books and the difference RNIB has made to them or their loved ones.
The event was a wonderful celebration that helped raise awareness, spark conversation and inspire support for years to come.
Paul Hervey-Brookes
The garden was brought to life by award-winning designer, Paul Hervey-Brookes.
Paul has built a strong reputation for landscapes and gardens that rely on planting to create spaces and rich, multi-layered habitats. His ability to read landscapes and evoke intense feelings and emotions has won him acclaim across the board.
His previous awards include two gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and three of the top awards, including a gold medal, for the RNIB Legacy Garden at RHS Wentworth Woodhouse in 2025.
“It has been great to work with RNIB again, this time creating a garden that celebrated the 90th anniversary of Talking Books. Books offer a world of escapism, adventure and enchantment, so it’s not hard to find something that captures the imagination. What makes this service unique is its continued relevance – originally providing audio books to people who lost their sight in the Great War – to giving thousands of people free access to fiction and non-fiction titles, meaning that sight loss is not a barrier to getting lost in a good book”.
Paul is sat in a chair wearing a t-shirt and cord trousers with a brown dog by his legs