A Final Walk Through Longmeadow
Monty Don is stepping away from Gardeners’ World. This Friday, November 6, 2026, the 71-year-old broadcaster will host his final episode, bringing a definitive close to a 23-year tenure as the program’s lead presenter. The announcement, delivered via a video on the official BBC Instagram account alongside his dog, Ned, marks the end of an era for the series he has fronted since 2003.
This final broadcast serves as a bittersweet farewell, filmed at Longmeadow, his private garden in Herefordshire. The site has served as the show’s primary location since 2011, providing the intimate backdrop for roughly 700 episodes. Don originally took over the role from Alan Titchmarsh in 2002, and his departure signals a significant transition for the long-running series.
The Decision to Step Down
Writing in Gardeners’ World magazine, Don revealed that his decision to leave arrived with sudden clarity during the summer. While he noted that his commute to the filming location is short, the professional demands of the role required his attention 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Reflecting on the timing of his exit, Don compared the feeling to the instincts of sportspeople. “They say of sportspeople wondering when to retire, ‘You just know.’ Well, I just knew,” he wrote.
Beyond the Weekly Broadcast
Don is not leaving the media industry entirely. He intends to pivot toward new television projects, writing books, and spending more time with his family. Sharon Fisher, the BBC Studios series editor, described the departure as the conclusion of a “remarkable chapter” in the history of the program.
The BBC has confirmed that Gardeners’ World will continue. Following the initial announcement in September, BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips expressed gratitude for Don’s work and confirmed that the network looks forward to future collaborations. Despite his exit from the weekly show, Don emphasized that his passion for visiting and documenting gardens remains unchanged. He noted that his time for these pursuits is growing limited, though he added: And of course, I will still be gardening, dog by side, here at Longmeadow.
The Legacy of a Gardener’s Home
For over a decade, Longmeadow has been the face of the show. Prior to moving production to his private grounds in 2011, the program was based at a rented garden in Stratford-in-Avon known as Berryfields. The final episode is scheduled to air at 8:00 p.m. on BBC Two, marking the end of the show’s most recent and enduring residency.
A Connection with Viewers
In his announcement, Don reflected on the global impact of the series, describing his tenure as a complete privilege.
He characterized this bond as something he has always treasured and believes to be at the heart of a life well lived.
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