Arundel Castle, winner of Historic Houses Garden of the Year 2025, is adding a new floral celebration to its calendar for 2026, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of the rose.
In June, the 300+ roses that were planted in the castle’s Rose Garden in 2024 will reach full maturity, creating a richly scented rainbow of colour. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the castle walls, visitors are guided to the Rose Garden through hedging of intensely fragrant Harlow Carr roses, before the space opens out to reveal vibrant flower beds framed by soft Lavender angustifolia, sculpted yew balls and elegant cones.
Historians and gardeners will delight in spotting roses named after literary figures, royals and notable names, including Emily Brontë, Penelope Lively, Princess Anne, Olivia Rose Austin, Shropshire Lad and Generous Gardener, alongside breathtaking climbers such as Adélaïde d’Orléans.
The sensory journey continues into the White Garden beside the Fitzalan Chapel, where the William and Catherine rose takes centre stage. Created to mark the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, its flower heads release a gentle myrrh-like perfume, with petals that fade from warm cream to pure white.
From here, visitors can wander up the drive to the walled gardens, walk into the Cut Flower Garden, and find our newly planted roses nestled against deep green yew hedging. Highlights include the glowing orange of Lady of Shallot, the soft pale pink and apricot tones of Elizabeth, the deep pink shades of Young Lycidas, and the exquisite mid-pink blooms of Olivia Rose Austin and Jacques Cartier.
Apricot-toned Bathsheba climbs the new central obelisks alongside Strawberry Hill, a classic pink rose with a wonderful scent, while Royal Jubilee brings rich pink hues next to the classic white of Desdemona, a firm favourite throughout the gardens.
There are large terracotta pots leading to the English Herbaceous Borders overflowing with The Poet’s Wife, a fragrant yellow rose, accompanied by heavily scented Cherry Pie heliotropes. In contrast, lovers of red roses can discover the cherry-red John Innes that clings to the ancient Organic Kitchen Garden wall.
Commenting on the roses on display this year, Martin Duncan, Head Gardener at Arundel Castle, said:
“June is the month we all look forward to, anticipating the wonderful scent and array of roses. We are more excited than ever this year as our Rose Garden matures, providing a heady mix of wonderful colours and fragrance for visitors to wander through and enjoy as we celebrate one of the world’s most loved flowers.”
Garden-only tickets are available at www.arundelcastle.org, priced at £17 per adult and £8 per child (garden tickets unavailable on select dates – see website for further details). Children under five years old can enter for free.
Access to the Plant Fair is included in the standard garden or castle entry tickets, which start at £17 for adults and £8 for children. Plant Fair only (not gardens) tickets at £5.00 are also available on the day at the Ticket Office (not available online). Children under five years old can enter for free. For more information, visit https://www.arundelcastle.org.