Fragrant rose gardens

Roses are as evocative of a British summer as strawberries and cream. It’s easy to see why they remain the nation’s favourite flower – they’re hard to beat for beauty and scent, and every year they make a spectacular display. It's one of life's simple summer pleasures to smell the sweet fragrance and gaze at the pastel colours of rose gardens. We've rounded up some of the top places to see them, plus more about the gardens and species in our care.

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These days there are well over 30,000 varieties of roses worldwide, which isn’t too surprising when fossil evidence suggests they’ve been around for 35 million years. Over the millennia they’ve been used in medicines, as an ingredient in food, a source of perfume, and just purely for decoration. They’ve even become one of the greatest symbols of romance, referenced countless times by poets and writers.

If you’re hoping to see riotous displays of roses this year, then take a look at our round up of the best rose gardens and displays near you. If that whets your appetite for roses, then you’ll also find some hints and tips from our gardeners to help you start creating your very own rose garden.

Rose gardens in the South West

A bench among the roses in the rose garden at Compton Castle

Compton Castle, Devon

Head through an archway in the castle wall and find yourself surrounded by show-stopping roses. The air here is full of fragrance, especially on a warm summer's day.

Orange rose with a backdrop of purple catmint and the north corner of the house.

Antony, Cornwall

Roses are a key part of the gardens at Antony, providing colour and fragrance from early summer and all the way through the warmer months. The snowy white ‘Iceberg’ variety can even flower through to Christmas if the conditions are right.

Red roses on the stable wall at Barrington Court

Barrington Court, Somerset

Barrington Court’s main rose garden was designed by famous horticulturalist Gertrude Jekyll in the 1920s. The beds were refreshed in 2017 following her original scheme, and the new plants make a fantastic display in the summer months.

Rose gardens in the North

Dunham Massey, Cheshire

Dunham Massey is home to around 300 varieties of rose including Rosa ‘Stamford’s Sanctuary’, named after Dunham’s role as Stamford Military Hospital during the First World War.

Visitors exploring the rose garden at Nostell Priory

Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire

Nostell was built by the Winn family, who used to grow roses here to sell to the public. You’ll still find plenty of beautiful varieties on show in the gardens today, including Rosa ‘National Trust’.

Rose gardens in Wales

Bodnant Garden, Conwy

Walk along Bodnant’s terrace in mid-summer and you’ll find yourself surrounded by over 1,500 rose blooms. Enjoy sweeping views of the Carneddau mountains while you breathe in their fragrance.

Powis Castle, Powys

The gardens at Powis Castle are brimming with blooming roses: climbing up walls, growing around hoops and tumbling at the feet of classical statues. From ancient varieties to modern favourites, which are your pick of the bunch?

South East, Midlands and East Anglia

Mottisfont's rose arch in the evening sun

Rose gardens in the South East

Whether you’re wandering under the arches at Mottisfont or stopping to smell the blooms at Polesden Lacey, there’ll be no shortage of roses to see in the South East this summer. Maybe you’ll even be inspired to grow your own?

pink roses climb on the front of the timber framed manor house

Rose gardens in the Midlands

Budding roses are a sure sign that summer has arrived. Why not make the most of the season by seeking out scented blooms at Hardwick Hall, or enjoying the Arts and Crafts style planting at Wightwick Manor?

The rose arch in the Graham Thomas Borders at Peckover House and Garden

Rose gardens in the East

It’s easy to see why the rose remains the nation’s favourite flower. From rambling roses at Blickling to classic old English varieties at Peckover, there really is a rose to suit every taste.

Rose varieties to look out for

Close up of light pink Octavia Hill rose blooms

Close up of deep pink Rosa gallica flowers

Close up of yellow Rosa 'Graham Thomas' flowers

The simple flowers of the Dog rose (Rosa canina)

The 'Margaret Greville' rose in the Polesden Lacey Ladies Garden

Rosa 'Octavia Hill'

This rose variety was created in 1995 to mark the centenary of the National Trust, and was named ‘Octavia Hill’ after one of our three co-founders.

Rosa gallica

This species has been around since the Middle Ages and was often used for medicines. The ‘Officinalis’ cultivar is also known as the Red Rose of Lancaster.

Rosa 'Graham Thomas'

Named for another key figure in our history, this rose was chosen by Graham Stuart Thomas himself. It has a light fragrance and is perfect for a pop of colour.

Rosa canina

Also known as the ‘dog rose’, this is the most common of our native wild roses. You’ll often find it blooming in hedgerows over the summer months.

Rosa 'Margaret Greville'

Launched in 2017, the ‘Margaret Greville’ rose was created by the team at Polesden Lacey to commemorate 75 years since Mrs Greville left the estate to us.

Mottisfont rose garden in June, with Rosa 'Adélaïde d'Orléans' clambering over arches. — Mottisfont rose garden in June, with Rosa 'Adélaïde d'Orléans' clambering over arches

The man who rescued roses

Graham Stuart Thomas (1909–2003) was a notable horticulturalist with a passion for roses. He searched out old and near-forgotten roses from around the world, and saved many heritage varieties from extinction. He was the National Trust gardens adviser for over 20 years, and created what is probably the most famous rose garden in England at Mottisfont in Hampshire. It’s the perfect place to spend a summer’s afternoon, surrounded by the heady fragrance of Graham’s rose collection.

Meet the man who rescued roses

Gifts for green-fingered friends

Flatlay of Roses and Rose Gardens book by Claire Masset

Roses by Claire Masset

Know someone with a passion for roses? Join author Claire Masset as she showcases 25 of the most beloved rose gardens in our care, from Mottisfont to Sissinghurst. Perfect as a gift for a loved one - or just keep it for yourself.

A gardener tending to roses at Chirk Castle

Help us care for roses

Small wonders are little gifts that make a big difference. The money you spend on this gift goes straight back into keeping our rose gardens blooming, so it’s the perfect way to celebrate the avid rosarian in your life.