Rose Season at Mottisfont
- Published:
- 20 March 2026
Our walled gardens are home to the extraordinary National Plant Collection of pre-1900 shrub roses, which creates an annual spectacle in early summer.
Rose Season at Mottisfont
21 May – 13 June
Old-fashioned roses tend to flower just once a year, so their blooming is an extraordinary annual sight. Over 400 varieties of rose bloom in our walled garden during peak season. Make the most of rose season this summer, and take in the mass of fragrant roses filling the walled garden.
Tended with love, care and dedication
Many gardeners and garden volunteers invest expertise and energy to deliver an abundance of roses during rose season.
The first roses start to emerge mid-May, particularly wall-climbing varieties scrambling the warm brick walls of the walled garden, building up to the height of rose season which runs from 21 May - 13 June. Do pop back to Mottisfont throughout May and June to discover the variety of shapes, scales and colours of roses thriving here.
The gardeners have been busy adapting the garden for the extremes of weather we are currently experiencing. Long periods of very wet and dry weather have certainly been a challenge during the last 12 months.
This Spring the team have spent a significant amount of time mulching the whole garden to help the soil retain moisture, suppress annual weeds and add organic matter to the soil. The mulching is also intended to help to sustain our Mottisfont worm population.
Head Gardener, Rob Ballard says "We continue to evolve our Shrub Rose pruning regime to better suit these historic plants and allow them to adopt a more natural habit, in the borders.
For some time now, we've moved away from using any kind of pesticide sprays in our Rose Garden. We are seeing a very significant uplift in the population of natural predators for aphids etc and this cultural change is obviously of great benefit to the wider environment.
There are plenty of buds forming on the plants and we are looking forward to the 2026 season."
Where do I find the roses?
The rose collection is located in the walled gardens at the top of the main drive, up to a 15-minute walk from visitor reception.
Top tips for making the most of your visit during Rose Season
- Look for a member of the rose garden team wearing an 'Ask Me About Roses' pin badge and they will be very happy to answer your questions on growing roses.
- The walled gardens are enclosed and can get very hot on sunny days. Please come prepared with appropriate clothing and keep hydrated. Please dress for full sun.
- We offer free parking with a number of accessible car parking spaces.
- Our volunteer-driven buggy service is available.
- Accessible facilities are located throughout the site, including the walled gardens.
- Paths throughout the walled gardens are a little narrow in places but there is an access-friendly route throughout. Assistance dogs only in the walled gardens please.
- Visit on a Thursday evening and enjoy a little extra atmosphere courtesy of a three-piece jazz trio.
- Visit on a Friday evening for a tranquil saunter around the walled garden and time to appreciate the beauty of the roses
- Visit on a Saturday evening with family, bring a picnic and make the most of our selection of traditional lawn games
Refreshments during Rose Season
Stop for a break on your visit and enjoy a sit down and a light lunch, tasty snack or a hot drink and a cake from one of Mottisfont's cafés. We even offer rose flavoured ice cream!
Joyful eating at Mottisfont
Enjoy our delicious cakes, bakes, savoury snacks and chilled ice coffees when you pause for a break at one of our cafés.
The Old Kitchen Café
The Old Kitchen Café is located on the lower floor of the house, accessible via the Cellarium. You'll find the Coach House Café in the Stables.
We're serving up hot and cold drinks, light lunches, cakes, snacks and sandwiches for you to enjoy during your visit. Hot food is served from 12 noon-2.30pm. There is a small range of gluten and dairy-free food available, and soya or oat milk for hot drinks.
The Coach House Coffee Shop
The Coach House Coffee Shop opens from 11am-2pm to support busy periods. During the summer only, the walled garden kiosk is open from 10am-4pm. Both these outlets serve hot and cold beverages, a small range of cakes, sandwiches, snacks and ice creams.
On sunny afternons, look out for Jude's ice cream horsebox located by the Walled Garden.
Enjoy a sunset visit to the Rose Gardens at Mottisfont
Experience the annual spectacle of Mottisfont’s world-famous rose garden as day turns to dusk. Our beautiful walled garden, home to the National Collection of pre-1900 shrub roses, is at its most spectacular in early summer; a fragrant, romantic setting filled with colour and charm.
Late evening openings offer a unique opportunity to enjoy the roses when the light is softer, the air is scented with rose perfume, and the atmosphere is peaceful. It's a particularly special time to visit, with fewer crowds and a more relaxed pace.
From Thursday 21 May to Saturday 13 June, the rose garden will be open late on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Normal admission applies (free entry for National Trust members)
On Thursdays we add to the atmosphere of the rose-filled evening with acoustic jazz music.
On Fridays, we’re offering a tranquil evening visit, especially for rose lovers.
On Saturday evenings we welcome families to being a picnic or enjoy food from the Walled Garden kiosk. Enjoy a selection of traditional outdoor games ut on the lawn, and take a stroll through the tose garden. It’s the perfect way to unwind and welcome the weekend with friends and family in the beautiful surroundings of Mottisfont.
Rose inspired shopping
Head to the shop located next to Visitor Reception for rose inspired gifts including rose perfume and body lotion, accessories and rose plants, plus a special, artist-commissioned tote bag featuring all things Mottisfont.
New for 2026, we will have a limited number of historic, Mottisfont rose plants for sale, cultivated by Pococks.
Easy shopping during Rose Season
Visitors are welcome to make purchases from the Mottisfont shop, and leave them at the shop ready to be collected before the shop closes for the day.
Simply retain the receipt issued when you make a purchase, and a copy will be attached to your purchaes.
If the main car park is full, please ask a member of the car park team to permit you entry to the visitor car park by showing your receipt.
Please park using the collection bays just outside of the plant centre. Park up, and let a member of the retail team know you are here to make a collection.