Frances Tophill -

Last Updated on 4 July 2026 by PeteFree

Frances Tophill is a Horticulturist, Author and TV Gardening Presenter who is best known for Love Your Garden and Gardeners’ World.

Frances was born in Deal, Kent and she has two sisters her early attempts at gardening for Frances did not go well when her mother gave her a planter and it wasn’t until much later that the idea of being a gardener was even dreamed of.

On leaving School Frances started a job at Marks & Spencer as a shop assistant.

Frances Tophill was to spend 3 years working in the same shop before a complete change of career was to beckon.

An apprenticeship at The Salutation Gardens in Sandwich attracted the interest of Frances.

At £2 less an hour she was not sure but after a trip to the gardens Frances knew the outdoor life of a gardener was for her.

The Salutation is now better known as the past home of Dom and Steph from Gogglebox.

After 18 months at the garden Frances went to Edinburgh to study at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and obtained a B.sc degree in Horticulture and plantmanship.

Whilst at SRUC, Frances Tophill received a email from Love Your Garden telling students they were on the look out for presenters to join Alan Titchmarsh for the second series.

After a trip to London to audition in front of the cameras, Frances was given the job along with David Domoney and Katie Rushworth, and Love Your Garden ran for 11 years and 13 series.

in 2021 Danny Clarke joined the Love Your Garden Team making his Debut in a Love Your Garden Themed special 2021 first aired 13 July 2021 Love Your Small Garden Special.

Frances Tophill moved to Devon where she volunteered and was later employed by Dawlish Garden Trust for gardeners with a learning disability.

Frances became a Gardeners’ World presenter in 2016.

Frances has also been representing the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for their School Gardener of the Year Competition. RHS School Gardeners of the Year Winners 2019

Frances has previously lived in Folkstone with her partner and rescue dog Rua and her garden was created and featured in Grow Your Own at Home with Alan Titchmarsh.

In August 2022 Frances became Temporary Head Gardener covering for maternity leave at The Sharpham Trust in Totnes Devon, and she still works there.

Frances bought her first house nearby that featured on Gardeners’ World 2023 when she was presenting as well as her new allotment.

In 2026 Frances Tophill is to join another long running Garden Makeover programme Garden Rescue as a Garden Designer.

The show is 10 years old in 2026 and for the new run of Series 11 it will feature Frances Tophill, Diarmuid Gavin, Sue Kent and Joe Swift all competing against the existing Garden Rescue Team.

Charlie Dimmock is the Queen of garden makeover shows and her team of Chris Hull, Lee Burkhill and Flo Headlam combined with the new designers are going to make the ultimate Garden Makeover Team.

Frances Tophill is to have her first Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 along with Alan Titchmarsh and Sir David Beckham.

Alan and Frances first Garden is to be a RHS Feature Garden for the King’s Foundation Curious Garden along with Kings’ Foundation Ambassador Sir David Beckham who will probably provide a Beehive too.

Frances Tophill also continues to be a popular presenter on Gardeners’ World along with her dog Rua who regularly joins The Animal Co-stars of Gardeners’ World.

Frances has the nickname Frinky. Frances likes to keep her life very private so we may never know why!