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Original poster

Is the David Austin garden worth a visit?

18 replies

GuestSpeakers · 12/05/2025 18:04

If you’ve been, did you think it was worth the trip? We’re about 2 hours away and it’s not a straightforward drive. I’d like to be able to see and smell the roses in person before buying more but DH would need to do the driving so I don’t want to drag him along if it’s a bit of a let down.

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 12/05/2025 18:25

I’ve just looked, I’ve never been either so looking forward to some replies.

If you think its too far could you combine it with an overnight stay?

KIlliePieMyOhMy · 12/05/2025 18:47

I have been and it is nice to see the roses out.
Nice cafe, but too.
It wouldn't be worth an overnight stay, but a nice lunch and see the roses - lovely.

BunnyRuddington · 12/05/2025 19:14

KIlliePieMyOhMy · 12/05/2025 18:47

I have been and it is nice to see the roses out.
Nice cafe, but too.
It wouldn't be worth an overnight stay, but a nice lunch and see the roses - lovely.

I like to try and attach an overnight stay to most things to be fair Grin

Trueloveneverdies · 12/05/2025 19:15

Honestly I was slightly disappointed. Feel mean saying that. It’s an hour from me, but the photos make it look much more expansive than it really is. It only takes 15-20mins to walk round. The cafe was my highlight, all the crockery had roses on. I wouldn’t say don’t go, as some roses looked a lot different in person.

BeaLola · 12/05/2025 19:31

I sort of agree with the PP but feel mean saying it - to put it into context though it was about 15 years ago that I went & it was about a 4 hour drive from where we live.

I thought it would be bigger and more wow - maybe it is now ? Again to put it into context prior to going I had seen DA roses stand at both RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court and the former was WOW.

Hasn't put me off - I mostly buy DA roses and have about 15/18.

Sone larger garden centres have big displays and it gives you a good idea. I've never been disappointed in any I've bought and their customer service is excellent

It hasn't put me off DA roses

Horticula · 12/05/2025 20:16

I went a couple of years ago, it was lovely to smell and see the roses and to see what plants they used as companion planting, and of course all the roses were grown to perfection.
But I only went because I was on my way home from a few days away visiting gardens in Shropshire, it's about 2 and a half hours from me and I certainly wouldn't have made the trip to go there just to see the garden.
I've got about 30 David Austin roses, many bought before I went and many after, they've all performed very well apart from a bare root I planted this winter which they replaced without quibble. Their roses are guaranteed for 5 years which I think is really good.

BunnyRuddington · 13/05/2025 07:44

Ok so if its so small, are there any other gardens in the area worth visiting?

Original poster
GuestSpeakers · 13/05/2025 08:41

Thanks all. I’m still in two minds about making the trip. I think I’ll have to find a second reason to be near the area. I’d love to see their Chelsea show display but a colleague who went said the crowds were horrific.

OP posts:
netflixfan · 13/05/2025 08:45

If it’s at Mottisfont I’ve been, and it was utterly beautiful. You the scent was so strong it was with you before you entered the rose garden.

BeaLola · 13/05/2025 08:46

Have already posted earlier re DA garden and not meaning to disrail - it's still on roses though (!) but last year DH and I were in London and went for a walk through Regents Park, years since I'd been there, and were blown away by how lovely their rosebud displays were

Horticula · 13/05/2025 08:58

GuestSpeakers · 13/05/2025 08:41

Thanks all. I’m still in two minds about making the trip. I think I’ll have to find a second reason to be near the area. I’d love to see their Chelsea show display but a colleague who went said the crowds were horrific.

Despite the crowds Chelsea is an an absolutely fantastic experience, no other show like it, I've been dozens of times. The David Austin stand is always excellent as are all the others!

Horticula · 13/05/2025 09:00

netflixfan · 13/05/2025 08:45

If it’s at Mottisfont I’ve been, and it was utterly beautiful. You the scent was so strong it was with you before you entered the rose garden.

Not at Mottisfont. The DA garden is in the midlands, it's where they run the business from.

Runlikesomeoneleftgateopen · 13/05/2025 09:07

There are plenty of videos on YouTube, l went once, it was a long way to go for what was there. Pleasant enough but l wouldn't bother going again. There are so many videos now on youtube, people show casing their DA roses and reviewing them.

Gingernaut · 13/05/2025 09:12

David Austin Roses is between Shifnal and Codsall, in the West Midlands

The closest big towns are Wolverhampton and Telford

Horticula · 13/05/2025 09:30

KIlliePieMyOhMy · 13/05/2025 09:15

I visited the David Austin gardens on my way home after a few days away visiting several of these gardens. I stayed at Goldstone Hall which is a delightful small hotel with fantastic food, the hotel garden is wonderful, it's a RHS partner garden. I visited Hodnet and the Dorothy Clive garden, both lovely but my favourite of all was Wollaton Old Hall. There's a DA rose named after the garden, I have 3, it's a beautiful climbing rose.

Original poster
GuestSpeakers · 31/05/2025 17:41

I still haven’t made it to David Austin but I decided to visit Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge today. The roses in their rose garden are planted in blocks rather than borders but it was great to see and smell them in person. The herbaceous border garden is lovely too. Well worth a visit for rose enthusiasts or later this summer, dahlia enthusiasts (there’s a huge section waiting to be planted).

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