Penshurst Place Glorious Gardens returns with 3,500 roses in bloom and expanded 3-day celebration

Penshurst Place and Gardens will mark a highlight of its horticultural calendar this June as its flagship Glorious Gardens celebration returns with an expanded three-day programme running from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June.

Now firmly established as a high point of the horticultural season, the event brings together a vibrant yet gently paced programme of garden experiences, pop-up entertainment and seasonal highlights, creating a relaxed English country fete atmosphere across the historic estate, at a time when the gardens are bursting into colour and scent.

The gardens are at their most visually rewarding, with roses in abundance to enjoy as they begin to bloom in all of the 11 garden rooms.

The Jubilee Walk is also at its seasonal best, with planting moving from hot reds and oranges through to cooler blues and softer tones, following the design principles of Gertrude Jekyll. In contrast, the Nut Garden offers a more relaxed and romantic setting, where honeysuckle and clematis weave effortlessly through rambling roses.

Across the celebration, the gardens become a lively but unhurried hub of activity, with live music drifting across the grasses, guided garden tours offering insight into the planting and history, and family-friendly moments such as storytelling, an interactive weaving wall and a ‘spot and see’ nature trail, alongside new creative workshops and activities across the grounds.

Floral displays are further enhanced with additional planted containers, garlands and decorative touches on ancient stone walls, created especially for the event, while small-scale pop-ups from local makers, crafters and wildlife organisations will add to the feeling of discovery Glorious Gardens intends.

New for this year, a programme of pre-bookable, chargeable creative workshops will launch the event on Friday 12^th June, offering visitors the opportunity to learn new skills in a relaxed garden setting and adding a hands-on dimension to the Glorious Gardens experience.

Alongside the workshops, visitors attending on Friday will also be able to enjoy seasonal floral displays and a selection of the wider Glorious Gardens family-friendly activities across the grounds.

Ben Thomas, General Manager at Penshurst Place, said: “Glorious Gardens is always a special celebration for us, as the gardens are looking their very best at this time of year. The atmosphere created across the event by the music, workshops and guest pop-ups provides a relaxed setting for visitors to slow down and enjoy the gardens at their own pace.”

Creative workshops — Friday 12 June

Pre-booking required | Prices vary

• Garden Photography Workshop — practical techniques for capturing garden scenes
• Fused Glass Workshop — introduction to creating decorative glass pieces
• Folded Vase & Origami Flower Workshop — paper craft using recycled materials
• Introduction to Creative Watercolour — guided painting inspired by the gardens

All workshops are led by specialist tutors, with limited places available. Full details, pricing and booking information can be found via the Penshurst Place website: https://www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities/2026-06/

Main Glorious Gardens Weekend Programme

Saturday 13^th & Sunday 14 June | 10.00am – 5.00pm

• Live music from Bromley Town Band, with cream teas available to purchase during performances
• Free guided garden tours with Head Gardener Tony Wiseman (Saturday) and Garden Guide Ann Bell (Sunday) at 11.00am and 2.00pm (limited capacity)
• Storytelling performances from Aardvark featuring Professor Crump and his bug-hunting antics
• A large interactive weaving wall for collaborative visitor art
• A ‘spot and see’ nature trail for younger visitors
• Pop-up stalls from local craft exhibitors and wildlife organisations
• A voucher for 50% off one plant in the Plant Centre (*terms apply) for all visitors

Visitor offers and access

• RHS members admitted free of charge, with weekend access exceptionally extended for Glorious Gardens only (standard access terms apply at all other times)
• Season Ticket Holders may bring up to two guests free of charge, with guest passes also offering 10% discount in the Porcupine Pantry and Gift Shop.

Most Glorious Gardens activities are included with general admission though charges may apply.