Garden designers sought for Warwickshire castle

Garden and greenhouse enthusiasts who fancy themselves as horticultural designers could see their ideas become reality at a site in Warwickshire.

The Landmark Trust is searching for entrants to a competition, where the winner will see their design used to help with the restoration of a 17th century garden, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) revealed.

The organisation is set to renovate the knot garden at Nuneatons Astley Castle and has asked would-be designers to come up with their own plans for the site.

Designs can be either contemporary or traditional, with the winning idea being made a reality at the historic site.

Briefly the home of Lady Jane Grew prior to her execution in 1554, Astley Castle was ravaged by fire in 1978.

However, the Landmark Trust is using grants from English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the site.

Part of the castle will be completely restored and used as a holiday let, while the rest will be kept as a managed ruin.

In other news, the RHS has reported that The Gardens of the Rose in St Albans are to open this summer, despite the management previously having announced that they would remain closed.