Castle Howard 18th Century Walled Garden - The Rose Gardens

Set within the 18th-century walled garden, the Rose Gardens originally comprised three adjoining enclosures - Lady Cecilia's Garden, the Sundial Garden and the Venus Garden. With their romantic Italianate trellises, hornbeam hedges and backdrop of brick walls, these gardens are a sheltered paradise of colour and intoxicating perfume, where visitors will enjoy a spectacle of massed roses. Lady Cecilia's garden was established in 1975, dedicated to the memory of Lady Cecilia Howard, and is filled with the old roses, Albas, Gallicas and Damasks - some seldom seen elsewhere. The garden is at its best during late June and into July, when soft, pure colours contrast with the under plantings of gillyflowers and lavender and the scented Philadelphus. In total there are 2000 modern roses of all types, including David Austin's English roses, making this one of England's most comprehensive collections. Throughout the summer, within each garden and along every alley there is an abundance of colour and fragrance. Find out more at www.castlehoward.co.uk