Rose Gardens become world class attraction

The Royal National Rose Society is delighted to announce that its world-renowned Gardens will re-open to the public on Saturday 9 June 2007, following a three-year closure for refurbishment. The new Gardens, on the outskirts of historic St Albans, Hertfordshire, are the first of three major developments on the site to create a centre of excellence and world class attraction.

The next development is the planned new headquarters of the Royal Entomological Society, moving from London to the mansion adjacent to the Gardens, once the RES has refurbished it.

Finally, Butterfly World, which acquired its land from the Society, will start to build a new access road for the Gardens. Butterfly World itself, set to be Europe’s largest live butterfly park, is scheduled to open in 2009.

The Rose Society Gardens have been completely redesigned by landscape designer Michael Balston and include a newly-replanted Queen Mother Garden, many varieties of roses in different garden settings, and a collection showcasing the history of the rose.

“The Royal National Rose Society was founded in 1876 but we have shaped the new Rose Society Gardens for the 21st century,” says Richard Adams, chief executive of the Royal National Rose Society.

“We are a horticultural charity dedicated to encouraging and improving the cultivation and conservation of roses. The new Gardens will be a place of peace and beauty, just as the previous Gardens were, but the new design has many more roses than before and focuses on their use as part of wider planting schemes. We want people to appreciate the many varieties available and to be inspired to grow roses in their own gardens.”

The Gardens will be open 10am-5pm (last admissions at 4.30pm) 9th June to 30th September - admission prices £5 (Children under 16 free with responsible adult) Season tickets -£20 –Café and free parking.

Website: rosesociety.org