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Gardeners' World star Frances Tophill's home life away from the cameras

The 34-year-old presenter found her love for gardening aged seven


Frances Tophill in Gardeners' World
Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
On 25 August 2023
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Frances Tophill is one of Gardeners' World's most popular presenters and has amassed a legion of fans since first appearing on the show back in 2016. 

But when she's not busy sharing her best gardening tips with viewers of the show, what does she get up to away from the cameras? Here's all we know about Frances' home life…

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Who is Frances Tophill?

Frances Tophill is a horticulturist, author and presenter from Kent. 

The gardener found her passion for gardening at the tender age of seven after designing a terraced landscape in a planter, which was given to her by her mum. 

Frances Tophill in Gardeners' World © BBC
Frances Tophill is a presenter on Gardeners' World

The 34-year-old took her first gardening job at the Salutation Gardens in Kent, which was run by Gogglebox stars Steph and Dom Parker at the time. Chatting about working for the couple, she told The Sunday Post: "They lived in the house and we gardeners kept to ourselves. The apprentice – my job – did the clearing of the drains, the turning of the compost and made the tea in the mornings for the head gardener."

It was there that she started her career in gardening by completing an NVQ and apprenticeship, which was quickly followed by a degree in Horticulture with Plantsmanship at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Frances Tophill in Gardeners' World © BBC
Frances is from Deal in Kent

As well as Gardeners' World, Frances frequently fronts ITV's Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh. She began her presenting career at the age of 23 when she was still studying for her degree at Edinburgh Botanics.

Where does Frances Tophill live?

Frances Tophill lives in Devon. Speaking about her home in an interview with The Sunday Post in March, she said: "It's my first home. It's very small but I love it. I haven't got all my books and my piano there yet. I'm still in the process of moving in."

Frances Tophill's life away from Gardeners' World

Frances has a day job away from her TV career and works five days a week as the Head Gardener at The Sharpham Trust.

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Speaking about juggling her job with filming for Gardeners' World, the presenter said: "I have always struggled with just being a TV presenter. I don't feel it's authentic and I don't get to do the thing I love which is working outside and being with people on my own terms without there being a camera in my face.

Frances Tophill© Frances Tophill/Instagram
Frances is passionate about conservation and sustainability

"I am always keen to make sure I am working for real as well. I have to book holidays when I want to go away for filming. But Gardeners' World has been very accommodating."

Frances is passionate about conservation and sustainability and has spent time native tree planting for the Conifer Conservation Project in Edinburgh, as well as for Moor Trees in Devon.

She is Patron of Thanet Urban Forest and works with the RHS on the Campaign for School Gardening.  

Frances Tophill in Gardeners' World © BBC
Frances is Head Gardener at The Sharpham Trust

The TV star is also a published author, having released several books, including her 2020 release, Rewild Your Garden: Create a Haven for Birds, Bees and Butterflies, as well as, The Modern Gardener: A Practical Guide to Gardening Creatively, Productively and Sustainably, which hit the shelves in 2022. 

According to the Gardeners' World live website, Frances is also a budding crafter and enrolled in a pottery course.

Frances Tophill's love life

Frances tends to keep her romantic life out of the spotlight, so very little is known about her relationship status. 

Frances Tophill in Gardeners' World © BBC
Frances is a published author