Discover the beauty of English rose gardens in London and Southeast England
The fleeting and fragrant rose season is nearly upon us, and it is time to start visiting the best rose gardens in London. From Hyde Park Rose Garden to Mottisfont Rose Garden and Queen Mary's Rose Garden, London is home to some of the most breathtaking rose gardens in the world. London also provides easy access to some of the most beautiful rose gardens in the world in the English countryside. This post will covers some of the best rose gardens to visit in London and South East England.
Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens, Regent’s Park
Queen Mary's Gardens in Regent's Park is one of the largest and most popular rose gardens in London, boasting over 12,000 roses in a stunning array of colors and varieties. This garden was named after Queen Mary, wife of King George V, who opened the garden in 1932.
One of the highlights of Queen Mary's Gardens is its collection of hybrid tea roses, which are characterized by their large blooms and strong fragrance. Some of the most popular hybrid tea roses in the garden include the 'Champagne Moment', 'City of London', and 'Princess Alexandra of Kent'.
The garden is divided into several sections, each with its own unique features. The Inner Circle features a formal layout with roses arranged in neat rows, while the Queen Mother's Garden showcases roses in a more naturalistic setting, with winding paths and a tranquil pond. The Rose Pergola is another popular feature, with climbing roses trained over a long wooden pergola for a dramatic effect.
This is one of the most beloved spots in London, especially during rose season, and it will likely be busy. The best time to visit is very early in the morning or in the evening. The golden light creates a magical atmosphere, and I love sitting on one of the benches beneath a garland of climbing roses and reading a book.
Kew Gardens
Kew, the world-famous botanical garden, is home to a beautiful display of roses. One of the main highlights of Kew Gardens' rose collection is the Rose Garden, which showcases an impressive exhibition of more than 1,700 roses. The garden is divided into several themed sections, each with its own unique set of roses, such as the Tea Rose Garden, Old Garden Rose Garden, and Species Rose Garden.
The roses are spectacular, but Kew offers much more than just that. The Waterlily House, the Palm House, and the Temperate House display a vast collection of plants from around the world. The Treetop Walkway is another popular attraction, offering stunning views of the gardens and the surrounding area.
Ranger’s House, Greenwich Park
Ranger's House in Greenwich is a hidden gem of a rose garden, located in the picturesque area of Blackheath. This elegant Georgian villa is surrounded by a walled garden filled with roses, making it a delightful spot for a leisurely stroll or a romantic picnic.
The garden is divided into semi-circular sections, each with its own unique features. The roses were planted in the 1960s and the architectural backdrop of Ranger’s House makes it really charming. The rose garden is free, while the house is managed by English Heritage.
One of the best things about Ranger's House is its peaceful atmosphere. The garden is rarely crowded, even in the summer months, so it's a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of London. The house itself is also worth a visit, with a collection of art and artifacts from around the world.
Fenton House, Hampstead
Fenton House is a stunning 17th-century mansion located in Hampstead, North London. The house is surrounded by a beautiful walled garden, which features a variety of plants and flowers, including a wonderful collection of roses.
One of the highlights of the garden at Fenton House is its collection of climbing roses, which adorn the walls of the house and the garden itself. The garden is divided into several sections, each with its own unique features. The Orchard contains a variety of fruit trees, while the Kitchen Garden features a range of vegetables and herbs. The Rose Garden is the main attraction, with roses in a range of colors and varieties.
Fenton House itself is also a treat as it is a rare example of a 17th-century merchant's house, and it contains a collection of art and antiques from around the world. The garden is a perfect complement to the house, with its mix of formal and informal planting. Fenton House is managed by the National Trust.
Mottisfont, Hampshire
In my opinion, Mottisfont is the fairest rose garden of them all. Mottisfont is a beautiful historic estate located in Hampshire, about an hour's drive from London. The estate is home to a stunning walled rose garden, which is widely considered to be one of the finest in the country.
The Mottisfont rose garden is one of the largest and most diverse collections of roses in the country, containing over 500 varieties of roses. The garden was created in the 1970s by the renowned horticulturist, Graham Stuart Thomas, who carefully selected and curated the roses to provide a harmonious blend of colours and scents.
The rose garden is divided into several areas, each with its own unique characteristics. One of the most popular areas is the Scented Garden, where visitors can enjoy the sweet fragrance of a wide range of roses, from rambling and climbing to shrub and hybrid tea roses. Another highlight of the rose garden is the historic collection of old-fashioned roses, many of which are no longer widely grown.
The walled garden at Mottisfont is also home to a variety of other plants and flowers, including perennials, herbs, and fruit trees. In addition, the garden features a range of beautiful garden structures, such as pergolas, arches, and tunnels, all festooned with roses.
Visiting Mottisfont took my breath away. It is one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen, and I can’t recommend it enough if you are able to get there. Last summer it was open late on some evenings which made it easier to visit in good light.
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
Polesden Lacey is a beautiful country estate in Surrey, known for its impressive rose garden featuring over 700 varieties of roses. The Rose Walk is a favourite among visitors, a serene pathway lined with an abundance of climbing roses. It’s a stunningly beautiful garden, with rose-covered vistas in every direction. I particularly liked how many varieties of climbing roses were at the property. It definitely added a secret garden feel to the place.
Apart from the stunning rose garden, Polesden Lacey also boasts other notable areas of interest such as the Winter Garden, the Walled Garden, and the Dutch Garden. The estate's sprawling grounds also include a picturesque lake, a woodland area, and panoramic views of the picturesque countryside. The house itself is great fun to visit—it was owned by Margaret Greville, a society hostess and heiress, in the early 20th century and it has a posh party vibe about it.
Pashley Manor Gardens, Sussex
Pashley Manor Gardens, located in East Sussex, is a stunning garden known for its impressive display of roses. The garden has a diverse range of roses, including classic English roses, hybrid teas, and climbers, with over 100 varieties on display.
One of the main attractions is the Rose Walk, which is bordered by a colorful mix of shrub roses, floribundas, and climbers, creating a fragrant and vibrant display. Visitors can also stroll through the delightful walled garden, which features beautifully curated borders and intricate knot gardens.
The gardens are also home to a charming pond and a peaceful woodland area, providing visitors with an idyllic setting to relax and take in the beauty of their surroundings.
