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About Rockingham Castle
Rockingham Castle was built on the orders of William the Conqueror, and offers spectacular views over the Welland Valley. A Royal Castle for 500 years, it was leased by the current owner’s ancestor, Edward Watson, from Henry VIII in 1544. His grandson, Sir Lewis Watson, bought it from James I in 1619.
The influence of the original Motte and Bailey design can still be seen in today’s sweeping formal gardens. A wealth of roses, from hybrid teas to climbers, cover every wall, and the garden features five key areas covering 13 acres in total.
THE TERRACE has two borders. One is by Salvin’s tower, planted with peonies and hydrangeas. The second uses the Naval Lobby door as its design influence, and is planted with scented herbs; its central diamonds filled with spring bulbs, and later, a selection of cosmos. The magnificent Elephant Hedge – a double Yew hedge over 400 years old – divides the Terrace Garden and Cross Garden.
THE CROSS was designed by John Codrington, featuring two intersecting double borders of the hybrid tea rose Rosa Amazing Grace, lavender and nepeta. A sundial sits at its heart. To the side is an avenue of David Austin standard roses in a variety of colours. The Bandstand arbour is covered with rambling roses and campsis, while the borders beneath are filled with fritillaria and salvias.
THE ROSE GARDEN is on the site of the 11th century keep of the original Motte and Bailey castle. The yew hedge mirrors the layout of the later 17th century structure, with the entrance on the site of the original gun ports. A large replanting project was completed in 2025, undertaken in partnership with David Austin Roses. The project will see all the rose beds being replanted with David Austin shrub roses.
THE JEWEL BORDERS. Robert Myers designed the herbaceous borders in 2004, creating a series of rooms divided by yew and box hedging. We are currently rejuvenating these borders with the help of Kate Toller. New plants and shrubs have been added, from hydrangeas, deutzia and tree peonies, to kniphofia, crocosmia, peonies and salvias.
THE WILD GARDEN. Originally a Victorian pleasure garden, this beautiful strolling site contains a wide variety of specimen trees, and is carpeted with snowdrops and daffodils in the spring.
TICKETS can be booked online in advance at rockinghamcastle.com or purchased on arrival at the ticket office.
Website:
https://www.rockinghamcastle.com
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