Calling all rose lovers! We are excited to announce that on Monday, June 26 we have a GMG visit to David Austin Roses in Albrighton in Shropshire. Home of the beautiful English Roses, this two-acre garden has received the Award of Garden Excellence from the World Federation of Rose Societies, and is planted with more than 700 different varieties of roses as well as other perennials and climbers. Laid out in six themed areas, it's a really breathtaking sight in late June, when the roses should be at their very best.

The visit will begin at 11am with tea and coffee, followed at 11.30 by a tour of the rose gardens. After a complimentary lunch in the nursery's Tea Room, we will get a tour of the breeding houses and the rose fields (not open to the public), where GMG member Michael Marriott, senior rosarian at David Austin Roses, will tell us about the long process of launching a new rose. Our visit will end at about 4pm.

This visit is free to GMG members, with a £10 charge for non-members. For those coming by train, the nearest station is Wolverhampton. If you are planning to come from London, there are currently some good offers on train prices via www.thetrainline.com if you book early. From Wolverhampton station we will need to get a taxi to Albrighton; if there are several of us on the same train we can share the cost. (The 8.43 train from Euston, arriving 10.37, looks like the best one).

Numbers are limited to 25 so if you are interested in coming please book your place as soon as possible - there are still a few places available. There are no restrictions on photography. 

If you would like to come, please contact GMG Admin as soon as possible.

Photos: Constance Craig Smith