Errol Reuben Fernandes is the Head of Horticulture at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, where he oversees 16 acres of stunning gardens in South London. The Horniman is the only museum in the country with a social anthropology, natural history and gardens collection, allowing its visitors to explore how human experience is intertwined with nature.
Having developed a love of nature and passion for gardening from a very young age, Errol initially studied Fine Art at De Montfort University, before working as an artist and curator alongside the likes of the Tate, V&A, British Library, secure prisons and community organisations, engaging marginalised groups in collaborative arts projects. After completing a Masters in Art Psychotherapy at Goldsmiths, Errol went on to practice as an art psychotherapist within adult psychiatry, as well as working with children and adolescents, gradually including elements of gardening therapy in his work.
Errol subsequently gained his horticultural and botanical training at Capel Manor College (London’s only specialist environmental college) and at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Prior to joining the Horniman in April 2021, Errol was Senior Gardener for the 112-acre Kenwood House estate in Hampstead, north London, in the care of English Heritage.
A much sought-after public speaker, Errol's recent engagements include The Gardens Trust, the Garden Museum, the London Gardens Network, Cummins and the Beth Chatto Symposium, amongst others. He has also collaborated with brands such as Sunspel and Lavenham on online and social campaigns and contributed to numerous publications such as Gardens Illustrated, the Guardian, the Telegraph and Bloom magazine.
Errol’s role as a lead presenter on C4’s The Great Garden Revolution showcased his expertise in environmentally-aware, low-impact gardening, offering expert insights on how we can all make the most of our own outdoors spaces in an affordable and efficient way. His recent appearances on BBC1’s Gardeners’ World and R4's Gardeners' Question Time illustrate Errol's passion and mission to attain a more sustainable future, by using diverse planting techniques and design practice in a bid to reduce our impact on the environment.
