
Simon Akeroyd
Passionate about both practical gardening and garden history, Simon Akeroyd has worked in horticulture for the last 30 years and wrote his first ever gardening book (Shrubs and Small Trees, DK) in 2008. Since then, he has gone on to write 30 more, many of which are published by the RHS or National Trust. Simon's latest gardening book Grow Your Groceries (DK) is out in March 2025 and is based on many of his social media videos showing how you can grow produce from your weekly shop. He has twice been shortlisted by Garden Media Guild for his books The Allotment Handbook (DK) and RHS Gardening School, as well as nominated for Social Media Influencer of the Year (2023 and 2024). In little over a year since he took to social media, Simon's accounts have attracted over 2 million followers (inc. 898k on IG, 769k on TikTok and 244k on FB), where he shares his easy-to-follow gardening tips. Simon believes strongly in making gardening accessible to everyone, showing beginner gardeners how they can grow their own food on just a windowsill or in a container and costing practically nothing. During his 30 year career in horticultural, Simon considers himself lucky to have been Head Gardener or Garden Manager for some of the most beautiful gardens in the country. Gardens he’s been responsible for include Coleton Fishacre, Ockham Park, RHS Wisley, RHS Harlow Carr, Sheffield Park, Polesden Lacey, Compton Castle and Agatha Christie's Greenway. Simon is currently the Head of Estates and Landscape at Painshill in Cobham, Surrey, which is considered to be one of the finest examples of an 18th century English Landscape in the country. Simon has a passion for 18th century gardening and is a specialist in plants from that period. Simon originally studied for a philosophy degree at Lampeter University and loves to put subliminal philosophical messages into his gardening videos – see if you can spot any next time you are watching one of them. After graduating he went on to study viticulture and winemaking in Sussex before joining RHS Wisley to continue his horticultural education and journey. Simon also worked as a horticultural researcher, writer and producer across the BBC Gardening website, including working behind the scenes with productions such as Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Court, Gardeners' World, Gardens Through Time, Ground Force and Garden Invaders. When he isn't gardening or writing, Simon enjoys returning to his home on the English Riviera, where he can be found canoeing on the River Dart or exploring (and usually getting lost) on Dartmoor in Devon. He is often accompanied on his gardening adventures by his two dogs, River, a chocolate cocker spaniel and Beanie, a black and white springer spaniel, who also like to put in appearances in Simon's social media posts.