Mannington Hall and Gardens

The present owner, Lord Walpole, has been developing Mannington Gardens since 1969. As a farmer, natural scientist and gardener, he has a particular interest in roses.

Near to the moated medieval manor house are borders with roses used in many different ways and beds with roses in containers as well as a small formal scented garden. In the main gardens are many varieties from ground cover to tree climbers, and some new roses are on trial. The Heritage Rose Garden in the old walled kitchen garden has areas set out in the styles of different periods, from medieval to modern times, providing an interesting lesson in rose and gardening history.

Another area featuring 20th century roses was started in 1997 in a former orchard and now has a childrens garden, viewing bridge, a walk with the "county" series of roses, wide borders, formal beds and a plant house.

In 2001 a small display area on garden history, especially roses, was opened, and In 2003 a new area on the south lawn was constructed as a Sensory Garden. It's rose heaven!

Kew Gardens

In the gardens you can find the Rose Pergola which was built and planted in 1959 to mark the bicentennial of the gardens. It includes some beautiful cultivated climbing roses selected for how long they stay in flower. 

There is also the Rose Garden by the Palm House, created in 1923, which is a major focal point for visitors. It's an explosion of colour and scents during peak flowering time from June to August. Visiting the Rose Garden will give ideas to the garden enthusiast about the selection of the correct height and colour of rose to try and grow in their own garden.

On the south side of the main Rose Garden are ten beds which illustrate the hybridisation of roses through the centuries.

The Gardens of the Rose

There is a whole host of treats for the rose lover. Garden highlights include a rose collection showing the history of the rose, roses in a garden setting showing different styles of planting and a series of small model gardens to give inspiration for growing roses in small spaces. 

With more than 30,000 roses on display, complemented by a rich variety of companion plants, the Gardens of the Rose are a captivating spectacle of colour.

The Royal National Rose Society aims to have a garden which members can enjoy and feel proud of, one that attracts visitors and promotes the rose. The intention is to rebuild the garden so that it becomes the premier rose garden in Britain.

The David Austin Rose Gardens

This is a real mecca for rosarians. The Long Garden forms the core from which the other gardens lead off. It is divided by grass and herringbone brick paths and contains the collection of Old Roses, together with modern Shrub Roses and some English Roses to extend the flowering season. The whole garden is surrounded by and interlaced with pergolas, together with many Climbing and Rambling Roses.

The Renaissance Garden is perhaps the most beautiful of all and is devoted entirely to English Roses. The roses here start flowering in late May and continue right through to the frosts of early winter. With all the English Roses planted together it is easy to appreciate the wide range of flowers and fragrances and their final shape and height.

The Lion Garden has formal beds planted up with a range of Hybrid Teas, Floribundas and English Roses with Miniatures and Patios around the lion himself. 

The Species Garden contains the true wild roses and their near hybrids. This is at its most beautiful in early summer and again in autumn, when the hips are in full colour.

Museum of Garden History

The museum holds many items of interest for the garden enthusiast, including an array of weird and wonderful garden tools and emphemera such as photographs, bills and brochures that show the link between gardening and social history. There is also a Knot Garden.

Despite its city location, a wide range of species roses grow in and around the space.