Description

Summer Rose Event 2026

Rose Weekender 13th and 14th June

This Special Event has been promised for some time and now we are pleased to say . . . . . . It’s Here!

Day 1 – Saturday

10.00am  We meet at the Cathedral for tea/coffee and biscuits and a welcome from the Dean of Rochester

10.30am The Very Reverend Phillip Hesketh will lead us on a private tour of the cathedral  gardens with Head Gardener Graham Huckstepp introducing us to some of the roses in the Dean Hole Memorial garden. There is a small collection of Dean Hole Memorabilia and artifacts to see as you soak in the atmosphere of the special place for serious rosarians where you almost expect the Rose King to be stepping around every corner!

We will have a light lunch in the Cathedral (menu available shortly) after which we have a short programme of talks before we attend the first UK Rose Christening. A common sight in Europe, Dean Phillip Hesketh will perform a Christening ceremony on a new rose that is being released in 2026. As our day at the cathedral winds down, we take our leave and head off (under our own steam – please contact us if you can offer or need transport)  Our next stop is Sissinghurst Castle, a 45 minute drive south into Kent.  At Sissinghurst Castle we will be met by Head Gardener Troy Scott Smith, who will lead us on a private tour of the garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. A glass of wine in the garden and a chance to relax and chat before we leave at 9pm to head for our accomodations (some hotel suggestions at the bottom).

Day 2 -Sunday

A relaxed but no less special event.

We will meet at Hever Castle at 10am to be greeted by Head Gardener Neil Miller who will lead us on a person tour around the gardens.

Hever has plenty of food outlets which our members are invited to use at their own expense. Hever Castle is hosting a Cars atthe Castle event which our members are welcome to attend or, if they prefer, investigate the many other attractions. The website has all the details; https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/

The cost for the weekender, which includes entry into all gardens and attractions, lunch and refreshments at Rochester and a glass of wine in the garden at Sissinghurst is just £40 per person

OR if you can’t make the Sunday at Hever Castle, we can  offer Saturday ONLY at just £25

THIS IS A MEMBERS ONLY EVENT BUT  at just £10 for single or double membership you may join NOW and enjoy a great weekend walking in the footsteps of The Rose King!       Not a member?  JOIN THE SOCIETY HERE

Hotels

For those wishing to stay in Rochester on Friday 12th June 2026, there is a Travel Lodge, 11 Cory’s Road Rochester ME1 1GR within walking distance of the Cathedral and a Holiday Inn, Maidstone Road Rochester, ME5 9SF a little further away

For those wishing to stay over on Saturday 13th June 2026, we suggest two hotels midway between Sissinghurst and Hever;

Camden Arms in Penbury (Tunbridge Wells)  1 High Street Penbury RTW TN2 4PH                 01892822012

Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel                          8 Tonbridge Road, Penbury RTW TH2 4QL       01292628298

These are just two examples of many hotels in Tunbridge Wells.