RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon: what to see and when to go

RHS Garden Rosemoor is a public garden managed by the Royal Horticultural Society in north Devon, England. The site features extensive woodland, a large collection of roses, an arboretum, and areas for herbs, fruit, vegetables, and alpine plants. Visitors can explore themed gardens, a reference library, and enjoy food at the on-site tearoom.

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Features over 65 acres of gardens and woodland
Home to thousands of rose plants in themed beds
Hosts the annual Rosemoor Garden Festival each August
Includes an arboretum, alpine house, and reference library
Gifted to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1988

What is RHS Garden Rosemoor?

RHS Garden Rosemoor covers 65 acres in the countryside of north Devon. The grounds include a wide range of garden spaces, from formal beds and sweeping lawns to sheltered borders and wooded areas. Highlights include a rose section with thousands of plants, an arboretum with trees from various regions, and gardens for herbs, fruit, and vegetables. There is also an alpine house and a reference library. Visitors will find a plant centre, shop, restaurant, and a tearoom within the garden.

The history of RHS Garden Rosemoor

The land at Rosemoor was once the site of the Rolle Canal’s lime kilns in the 1800s. Lady Anne Berry began developing the garden in 1959, expanding it over three decades with a focus on natural shapes and varied plantings. The garden opened to the public in 1967 and became known for unusual plants. In 1988, Lady Palmer gave the garden and extra land to the Royal Horticultural Society, which later added more woodland. This allowed the garden to blend into the surrounding landscape and offer more for visitors.

What there is to see

The garden is divided into themed areas, each with its own style and plant focus. The rose section is planted with many varieties, while the arboretum features trees from different climates. There are also gardens for herbs, fruit, and vegetables, and an alpine house for mountain plants. Paths wind through the grounds, connecting open lawns, sheltered borders, and wooded sections. Facilities include a visitor centre, plant shop, and places to eat.

When to go

Rosemoor is open to the public year-round, with something to see in every season. The garden hosts the annual Rosemoor Garden Festival each August, drawing visitors for special displays and events. Throughout the year, people come to enjoy the changing plantings, attend workshops, or simply walk through the grounds. The reference library offers resources for those interested in gardening and plant history.

Parts and collections

A clematis variety named after Rosemoor was introduced as part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Bicentenary Plant Collection. The garden itself features many distinct sections, each with its own character, such as the rose area, arboretum, and alpine house. Over time, new plantings and features have been added, reflecting both the garden’s history and ongoing development.

Why RHS Garden Rosemoor matters

RHS Garden Rosemoor is a well-known destination for garden lovers in the United Kingdom. It is managed by the Royal Horticultural Society and serves as a showcase for a wide range of plants and garden styles. The annual festival and the garden’s connection to plant introductions, like the Rosemoor clematis, highlight its role in horticultural culture. The site also preserves historic features, such as the remains of the old lime kilns.

Questions people ask about RHS Garden Rosemoor

Where is RHS Garden Rosemoor located?

RHS Garden Rosemoor is in north Devon, England, about a mile south of Great Torrington. It is surrounded by woodland and lies near the River Torridge.

What can visitors see at Rosemoor?

Visitors can explore themed gardens, including a large rose collection, an arboretum, herb and vegetable gardens, and an alpine house. There are also places to eat, a shop, and a reference library.

When is the best time to visit Rosemoor?

The garden is open all year, with different plants in bloom each season. The Rosemoor Garden Festival in August is a highlight, but there is interest in every season.

Who created the original garden at Rosemoor?

Lady Anne Berry began the garden in 1959 and developed it over thirty years before giving it to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1988.

Is there a plant named after Rosemoor?

Yes, a clematis variety was named for Rosemoor as part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Bicentenary Plant Collection.

Good reading and sources

Official websiteOfficial site

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "RHS Garden Rosemoor", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Shalimar Bagh: ANSAR AHMAD, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Yadavindra Gardens: Giridhar Appaji Nag Y, CC BY 2.0, source

Chashme Shahi: Amitraina at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source

Hestercombe House: Ashley Dace, CC BY-SA 2.0, source

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

RHS Garden Wisley: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, source

RHS Garden Bridgewater: Amanda Slater, CC BY-SA 2.0, source

Alhambra: Jebulon, CC0, source

RHS Garden Rosemoor