David Austin Rose Gardens

It’s easy to see why many consider the David Austin Rose Garden to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Located on the eastern fringe of Shropshire, situated in a little village called Albrighton, over 700 different varieties of beautiful roses are planted in the 2 acre gardens.

The garden is divided into a number of smaller areas, each individually named and reflecting its own style. Each garden has its own charm. From the wooden pergolas interlaced with beautiful displays of climbling and rambling roses to the charming circular borders and the 8ft wall encircling the formal Victorian Walled Garden. This really is Shropshire’s own corner of paradise.

The gardens have so much to offer gardening enthusiasts and budding green fingers alike. With so many different varieties of Roses, it’s clear to see Mr David Austin, rose breeder extoardinaire excelled in fulfilling his lifelong ambition to create the perfect rose.

Upon entering the gardens, the first thing that hits you is the spectacular array of colours and the beautiful fragrance of the flowers. Large decorative terracotta planters line the patio garden, filled with beautiful, deliciously flavoured roses.

The Long Garden forms the central core of the rose garden, with the other gardens leading from it. Each variety of Rose has is its own breeding name and is cleverly labelled. Be sure to make a note of your favourite Rose as there is a plant centre on the way out where you can purchase a selection of David Austin potted Roses.

As I meandered through the gardens admiring the colourful displays of roses, inhaling the intoxicating perfume scent while listening to the buzzing of the pollen hungry bees, it felt like I had died and gone to flower heaven! I found the first bench I could find and just sat there, soaking up the atmosphere and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

I then stumbled across the Renaissance Garden, the most beautiful of all the gardens. Completely devoted to English Roses, this garden was by far my favourite. The pièce de résistance was the beautiful reflection pool surrounded by pink and pale yellow Roses, which provided the perfect focal point for the garden.

After spending hours fawning over the beautiful Roses, soaking up the sun and getting a little too snap happy, we then decided it was time for some afternoon tea. We found the perfect spot in the cutest of courtyards surrounded by yet more beautifully scented Roses, whilst blue tits and robins eagerly awaited the scraps of our clotted cream scones.

After a leisurely stroll around the plant centre and gift shop, it was time to head home. I made a decision there and then to make this an annual event, because this place to me is like a little slice of heaven.