Gardens of the Year Competition 2023 terms and conditions

1. The Promoter is Immediate Media Company London Limited, Vineyard House, 44 Brook Green, London W6 7BT. The competition Sponsor is Yeo Valley Organic.
2. The BBC Code of Conduct for competitions can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/competitioncode/ and all BBC magazines comply with the Code.
3. The promotion is open to all eligible residents of the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands), aged 16 years or older, except the employees of the Promoter and Sponsor, Yeo Valley Organic, their families, agencies, anyone else associated with the promotion or the 11 shortlisted gardens from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Gardens of the Year Competition 2018 and the 6 shortlisted gardens from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Garden of the Year Competition 2019, and the 8 shortlisted gardens from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Gardens of the Year Competition 2020, and the 8 shortlisted gardens from BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Gardens of the Year Competition 2021, and the 8 shortlisted gardens from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Gardens of the Year Competition 2022. Entrants aged 16 or 17 must get permission from their parent/guardian.
4. Eligibility criteria:
• Entrants must not earn their living by designing or maintaining gardens for money;
• The garden must be a private garden (but may be open occasionally to the public but for charities or fund-raising activities only, not as a profit-making activity for the benefit of the owner); and
• The garden must be maintained by the owner with no more than one full-time helper or employee.
5. Any entrants breaching the eligibility criteria will be disqualified.
6. All entrants are expected to act fairly and in the good spirit of the competition. Immediate Media reserves the right to investigate any irregularities and disqualify entrants at its absolute discretion.
7. The closing date for entries is midday on 12 June 2023.
8. How to enter: You should enter by completing and submitting the online entry form at gardenersworld.com, along with images of your garden. There is a limit of 10 images per entry. Entries submitted without images will be rejected. Please ensure images support your garden’s entry. The winning gardens will be those that the judges and readers choose.
9. The BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine editorial staff will select a shortlist of the best gardens using the following criteria:
• Creative use of the available space
• Design of the planting and way in which plants have been used and combined
• Overall impression created by the garden layout
• Letting nature thrive
10. If your garden is shortlisted, you will be notified by telephone or email by 10 July 2023. In the event the Promoter cannot reach a shortlisted finalist within 28 days of notification or the shortlisted finalist refuses to participate fully in the promotional activity connected with this competition by signing a Model Release form, the Promoter reserves the right to ask the judges for a substitute.
11. A photographer will visit the shortlisted gardens and take pictures of you and your garden for promotional activities and features. The visit will take place between mid-June 2023 and mid-August 2023. Copyright in the pictures shall belong to the Promoter, and the Promoter may withhold the pictures from you.

12. From the finalists, the judges will select 1 overall winner plus 1 highly commended from the shortlist. The judging panel will include at least one independent judge, and BBC Gardeners’ World editorial staff. The judges will make their decision based on the professional photos that we arrange to be taken of the garden, using the following criteria:
• Creative use of the available space
• Design of the planting and way in which plants have been used and combined
• Overall impression created by the garden layout
• Letting nature thrive

13. The winner will be announced in the November 2023 issue of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and on gardenersworld.com, and the highly commended in December 2023 issue.
14. The People’s Choice Award will be voted for by the general public via gardenersworld.com and entrants shall consist of the finalists as selected by Gardeners’ World editorial staff.
15. Visitors to gardenersworld.com can vote online from the shortlist for the People’s Choice Award from 12 October 2023. Voting for the People’s Choice will close at midday on 6 November 2023. The People’s Choice winner will be announced in the January 2023 issue of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and on gardenersworld.com.
16. Prizes details to be confirmed. The Promoter will notify the winner, Highly Commended and People's Choice independently. If any of the prize winners are unable to be contacted within 28 days from notification, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prizes to someone else from the shortlist, or to re-offer the prize in any future promotion.
18. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into.
19. The Promoter does not accept any responsibility for incomplete, lost, delayed or fraudulent entries.
20. There is no cash alternative and the prize will not be transferable.
21. The competition prizes are subject to availability, and there may be a delay of a number of weeks before the prizes can be delivered.
22. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize with one of the same or greater value.
23. Entrants must supply to the Promoter (the publisher of BBC Gardeners’ World) their full name, email address and garden details. The Promoter will use entrants’ personal details in accordance with the Immediate Privacy Policy (www.immediatemedia.co.uk/privacy-policy).
24. By entering, you accept that your name, your garden and an indication of its location may be used in the magazine and in pre-arranged publicity for the competition by the Promoter and Sponsor.
25. By entering, you confirm that you own the copyright to the images you submit. You grant both the Promoter and Sponsor a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to use all images you submit for the competition throughout the world and in all media whether now existing or hereinafter invented, including the Promoter and the Sponsor’s publications, websites and social media channels.
26. By entering, you confirm that your answers to the questions in the entry form are correct and accurate to the best of your knowledge.
27. The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or to cancel, alter or amend the competition at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control.
28. The Promoter excludes liability to the full extent permitted by law for any loss, damage or injury occurring to you arising from your entry into the competition or occurring to the winners arising from their acceptance of a prize.
29. The competition is subject to the laws of England and Wales.
30. By entering the promotion, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

Judges' Choice Prize: Holiday to South Tyrol
Travel is subject to availability at the discretion of NDL Travel and excludes bank holidays, Valentine’s day/weekend and school holiday periods, specifically the Christmas holidays, summer holidays, spring and autumn half terms and Easter in both the UK and Italy.
2. Prize includes return economy flights, all flight taxes and surcharges as well as one piece of checked baggage per two people. Subject to availability, departure airport used will be the winners nearest international airport that operates direct flights to Verona. Please note, this may not be your closest airport. All travellers must hold a valid passport. If you don’t hold a UK passport you may need a visa for this destination, and it is the winner’s responsibility to arrange this. Although please note the cost of a visa of this kind isn’t included in your prize. Travel to and from the airport is not included.
3. Due to the current ongoing situation with travel advice in relation to Covid-19, we would advise that you look at all the information available with regards to quarantine, vaccination, and testing requirements of the destination you are travelling to, before selecting your dates. To understand the risks in a country, including the latest COVID restrictions (including for entry), follow FCDO Travel Advice. You can find information online at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. It is your responsibility to comply with any Covid-19 checks for entering Italy and upon returning to the UK. NDL Group cannot be held responsible for the winner not having the correct travel documentation, test results, vaccine status or following any COVID-19 regulations.
4. Your prize includes car hire, in South Tyrol. The car will be collected from Verona airport. Drivers need to be over the age of 25 and have held a full clean driver’s licence for a minimum of 2 years. Fully inclusive refers to unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, theft protection, local taxes and airport fees. The driver will need to provide the car hire company with a personal credit card that has £500 - £1,000 (variant depending on company) available for a security deposit that is refundable to your card upon the safe return of the vehicle.
5. You will be staying in at the Torggler Hof hotel in the barn room, sharing a double room with en-suite bathroom on a half board basis, for five nights. If you’d prefer a twin room, we will do what we can to secure this for you, but it cannot be guaranteed.
6. Your guided tour of the grounds Apple Cultivation, Vineyard and vegetable garden will last approximately 1 hour. Subject to availability at the time of booking accommodation.
7. Your Organic picnic brunch at the Vineyard is for 2 people. Picnic includes a bottle of pinot noir or apple sparkling wine, water, passirier mountain cheese, Tallner bacon, Kaminwurzen butter, herb spread, fresh bread, antipasti and a sweet dessert.
8. Your bike rental is based on 2 people and is for one full day of your trip – on a day of the winner’s choosing. Your hire includes bike and helmet per person.
9. Travel insurance is provided but pre-exciting medical conditions may not be covered. If this is the case the amount allocated will be transferred as a contribution to the winner to arrange travel insurance themselves. No age restrictions apply.
10. All prizes must be claimed and booked by the prize winner within 12 months from the date of our initial correspondence with them. The holiday must be taken within 21 months of our initial correspondence with them.

Highly Commended prize: Holiday to Wills Barn
Travel is subject to availability at the discretion of NDL Travel and excludes the Christmas holiday period, Valentine’s day/weekend, Easter weekend and all other bank holiday weekends in the UK.
2. Travel allowance and breakfast supplies allowance will be provided in the form of £350.00 spending money. Spending money will be transferred directly to the winner upon confirmation of full and correct bank details. Transfers can take up to 5 working days.
3. You will be staying at Will’s Barn in the Mendips on an accommodation only basis, for four nights, including king size bed, dining table, fully equipped kitchen, indoor fireplaces, screen and projector, free standing bath and beautiful lake view. Accommodation booking is subject to availability at time of booking.
4. Yeo Valley Organic Garden visit will be provided by the client, subject to availability.
5. Your lunch at the Organic Garden Canteen is based on 2 adults enjoying a 2-course lunch from the main menu as well as soft drinks and coffee.
6. Your Aldwick Estate Vineyard Tour and tasting is based on 2 people and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Tour includes wine tastings and venture into the vineyards led by a knowledgeable guide. Travel to and from the vineyard is not included. We will book this experience for the winner when booking accommodation.
7. Your Aldwick Estate picnic hamper is for 2 people and includes local charcuterie, somerset cheeses, olives & sundried tomatoes, homemade red onion marmalade, crudités and dip, crusty breads, artisan cheese biscuits, mini meringues, cheddar strawberries & cream and a bottle of Aldwick still wine. Picnic hampers are only available from April- October.
8. Your Cheddar Gorge & Caves explorer ticket is for 2 people. Your ticket includes access to Gough's Cave audio tour, Museum of prehistory, Cox’s Cave, Jacob’s Ladder and Lookout Tower, Cliff-top walk and Beyond the view cinematic experience. The Cheddar Gorge explorer is available all year round, apart from closure dates, throughout the year, which we will check before booking. Available for all ages but children must be supervised at all times.
9. Your dinner at your choice of restaurant is based on 2 adults enjoying a 3 course meal from the main menu including 1⁄2 bottle of house wine each. All restaurant reservations are subject to availability at the time of booking. You may choose any restaurant you would like to dine in with the exception of restaurants holding Michelin stars. There is an allocation of £200 which will be paid either to the winner or to the restaurant.
10. All prizes must be claimed and booked by the prize winner within 12 months from the date of our initial correspondence with them.

People's Choice Prize: Holiday to The Pig
1. Travel is subject to availability at the discretion of NDL Travel and excludes bank holidays, Valentine’s day/weekend and school holiday periods, specifically the Christmas holidays, summer holidays, spring and autumn half terms and Easter in the UK.
2. Travel allowance will be provided in the form of £150.00 spending money. Spending money will be transferred directly to the winner upon confirmation of full and correct bank details. Transfers can take up to 5 working days.
3. You will be staying in a The Pig hotel near Bath, for 3 nights, sharing a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis. If you’d prefer a twin room, we will do what we can to secure this for you, but it cannot be guaranteed.
4. Your spa treatment at the Potting Shed treatment room is for 2 people, each having 1 massage. Your choice of massage lasts 1-hour per person. Choices include hot stone massage, bespoke massage, resurfacing radiance facial, anti-aging restorative facial and upper body unwind. Subject to availability at time of booking. Spa treatments are subject to change and availability at the time of booking. Some treatments may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions and will be substituted for a safe alternative should this be the case.
5. Your Aldwick Estate Vineyard Tour and tasting is for 2 people and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Tour includes wine tastings and venture into the vineyards led by a knowledgeable guide. This will be booked for you at the time of booking accommodation.
6. Your Aldwick Estate picnic hamper is for 2 people and includes local charcuterie, somerset cheeses, olives and sundried tomatoes, homemade red onion marmalade, crudités and dip, crusty breads, artisan cheese biscuits, mini meringues, cheddar strawberries and cream and a bottle of Aldwick still wine. Picnic hampers are only available from April- October.
7. Your dinner at 25 Mile restaurant is based on 2 adults enjoying a 3 course meal from the main menu including 1⁄2 bottle of house wine per person.
8. All prizes must be claimed and booked by the prize winner within 12 months from the date of our initial correspondence with them.
Travel to and from experiences is not included, unless otherwise stated.