Coming up roses again

Plans to return the Rose Garden in Bushey to its former glory have been given another boost after Hertsmere Borough Council secured further lottery funding.

Thanks to a grant of £942,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund the garden will have many of its listed features restored.

Cllr Brenda Batten, portfolio holder for culture, said: "This is wonderful news and will really help us to transform and regenerate this beautiful historic garden.

"I am very excited about this project and believe the restoration will prove to be a major asset to the community."

In October 2006 got through the first round of the application process and the results of the second round of bidding were announced this week.

The Grade II listed garden is in a conservation area and contains several Grade II buildings, but has deteriorated over the years and suffered from vandalism. The money will be used to restore all listed features, including the summer house, paved areas and the pergola as well as the sunken garden.

The Rose Garden plays an important role in the Bushey community. Sir Hubert von Herkomer RA, an eminent Victorian artist, ran an Art School on the site from 1883-1912. The garden replaced the art school in 1913, created for Herkomer by pre-eminent landscape designer Thomas Mawson, who was given a portrait by the artist in lieu of payment. 

Find out more about the restoration and history of the Rose Garden