Our Course Leaders: James Aldridge

James Aldridge is a renowned garden designer, horticulturalist, and ardent enthusiast of plants. After many years of dedicated teaching at the college, he will assume the role of course leader for the garden design diploma in 2025.

James’s fascination with plants blossomed at a young age, and his life has been inextricably intertwined with gardens and horticulture ever since. He graduated with a degree in horticulture and subsequently honed his knowledge under the guidance of Rosemary Verey, one of Britain’s most celebrated and highly esteemed gardeners. Later, he joined HRH The Prince of Wales at Highgrove, where he worked for seven years during the garden’s most creative and acclaimed period.

Following his relocation to London in the late 1990s, James established his garden design practice and has been at the forefront of contemporary garden design for over two decades.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, James continues to practice on various projects across London and more recently in the West Country. He has worked on a diverse range of projects, both within the United Kingdom and internationally, including urban gardens and rooftop terraces, as well as expansive rural estates. His design work has been featured in numerous publications and books.