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Latest News - September 2010
Restoration work is now complete on Hertsmere’s most historic and treasured sites in Bushey. Read on to find out more...
The garden was officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant for Hertfordshire, the Countess of Verulam on Friday 23 July 2010.
The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire with the Mayor at the VIP opening in July
The garden open day on Saturday 24 July was a great success. Various activities took place including the Watford Brass Band, performances by St James Drama Group, Herts Inclusive Theatre workshop, Bushey Museum stall and art and gardening activities for children. Thank you to everyone who came along and made the day so special.
Future events in the garden include a musical picnic on Saturday 4 September. For further details please visit our events page.
View from High Street entrance
How to find the garden
The Bushey Rose Garden is situated in the High Street, just 10 minutes from junction 5 of the M1 and 20 minutes from the M25 and A1(M). Please contact us if you would like detailed directions.
By train
The nearest station is Bushey main line station (operates in and out of London Euston). The garden is approximately 1.5km/1 mile from the station. Both the 142 and 258 buses stop at the station and in the High Street near the garden.
Parking
Those travelling by car should use the public car park in Kemp Place, off the High Street, WD23 1DW. Please respect our local residents by not parking in the surrounding roads.
Garden opening hours
7am to 7pm (May to September)
7am to 4pm (October to April)
Please note the toilets are only open during events.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed in the garden but must be kept on a lead at all times. Dog bins are provided in the garden so please clean up your dog's mess.
Further information
For further information on the garden please contact:
Phone: 0800 731 1810 (office hours)
Email: parks@hertsmere.gov.uk
To download a map of the garden please click here. 
To download the garden leaflet please click here.
Visit our frequently asked questions page to find out more information on the project.
View of sunken house and pergola.
Here is a summary of all the restoration work that has taken place:
Summer House - the roof has been replaced with handmade tiles; the interior work includes plasterwork and restoring the fireplace. New doors and glass fanlights have been installed. The summer house will be an information office containing a display about the history of the garden, Hubert von Herkomer and the designer Thomas Mawson.
Fountain - this has been thoroughly cleaned, repaired and is now a working fountain.
The Cloisters - the red sandstone has been carefully dismantled, cleaned and reassembled to form a backdrop for music and theatrical performances. New paving has been laid for the 'stage' area.
Potting Shed and Toilets - the new one-storey building is in a similar style to the summer house with rendering, red brickwork and handmade roof tiles.
Lululaund Plaque - an artist has created a replacement plaque which is the focal point at the end of the pergola. The original seven foot plaque designed by Sir Herbert von Herkomer was stolen in the 1960s.
Pergola - new curved oak beams have been fitted to the pergola. New roses and clematis have been planted.
Rose Temple - the column has been restored to the original design of a Rose Temple. Roses and clematis have been planted which will eventually cover the temple in flowers and scent in summer months.
Paving - each brick has been carefully lifted and as many as possible have been reused. The bricks have been laid in the original basketweave pattern and yorkstone relaid around the fountain.
Rose Pillars - rose pillars similar to the original design have been placed in the planting beds in the Sunken Garden.
Planting - new plants have been planted in the Sunken Garden, including shrubs with all year round interest and roses. The lawn area and rose walk have been planted with a mixture of shrubs, perennials and roses.
High Street railings - new railings have been fitted to the top of the existing wall and the original gate has been treated and refitted.
Gardener - the on-site gardener has been appointed and started on site in June.
Other items includes new gate and railings at the Herkomer Road entrance; new seating similar to the original design by Thomas Mawson; new footpath along Rose Walk and around the lawn; CCTV, bins and benches and re-establish the lawn.
The Cloisters have been reassembled into a backdrop for performances
Curved bench similar to a design by Thomas Mawson
Herkomer Road entrance
Summer House and fountain lit at night
Background
Crispin & Borst were appointed as the main contractor to carry out the work to restore the garden and it's listed features. Crispin & Borst was appointed by Hertsmere Borough Council following a two-stage tender process. The project team also includes council officers, lead consultants and project landscape architects - Land Use Consultants and architects - Rees Bolter Associates.
For further details click here for the press release.
Further details on the history of the garden and restoration proposals can be found at the Bushey Museum & Art Gallery, Rudolph Road, Bushey, open Thursdays to Sundays, 11am - 4pm.
Newsletters
Download our latest summer newsletter here
Winter 2008, Issue 1 - Click here to download the winter newsletter.
Spring 2009, Issue 2 - Click here to download the spring newsletter.
Summer 2009, Issue 3 - Click here to download the summer newsletter
Autumn/Winter 2009, Issue 4 - click here to download the latest newsletter
Spring 2010, Issue 5 - Download the spring 2010 newsletter
If you would like to be added to the mailing list please call Gill Clare on Freephone 0800 731 1810.
Councillor Batten and the Friends of the Rose Garden celebrating the HLF news
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. Mawson later went on to become the first president of the Landscape Institute and has left a legacy of parks and gardens in the UK and abroad.
The Steering Group, made up of Council Officers, Councillors, Friends of the Rose Garden and the Bushey Museum & Art Gallery, will reconvene to discuss the next steps. Future news on the project will be updated here.
If you would like further information on the Rose Garden project, please contact Fiona Leadley on Freephone 0800 731 1810 or email: fiona.leadley@hertsmere.gov.uk .