Win tickets to the Rose Weekend at Hatfield House

3:32pm Thursday 15th May 2008

Celebrate summer living at the Rose Weekend at Hatfield House on June 21 and 22.

You could even win one of ten pairs of tickets to the event, at which talks and demonstrations will vie with gorgeous plants and summer accessories for your attention.

Celebrity TV gardener and presenter Sarah Raven will show visitors how to arrange garden blooms to best effect on Saturday, as she opens the talks programme. Waitrose will be also demonstrating fruit punches and recipes for lovely summer salads.

Come prepared with questions for the panel of experts in the Ask the Expert fun quiz sessions on both days, and on Sunday, listen as Hertfordshire garden writer and RHS medal winner Philippa Pearson talks about good garden design and gives aspiring gardeners some handy tips.

The weekend will also see the launch of a new rose. Young Princess, from Pocock's roses, has been named to celebrate Elizabeth I's early years at Hatfield. The famous Tudor queen, who came to the throne 450 years ago, held her first Council of State in the Great Hall of Hatfield in 1558.

Summer music will fill the air as visitors browse the gifts and lovely foods on offer in the marquees in front of the house. In the Tastes of Summer Pavilion, the exhibitors include the Estate's shop at Cranborne with delicious smoked salmon and other goodies such as cakes and organic wines to sample and buy.

In the Summer Style Marquee there is a wide range of jewellery and gifts. Find the perfect designer summer accessories, including Caroline Baker summer bags, or make your patio really stylish this year with the latest must-have garden items.

As you enter through the Garden Path, plants, pots and garden furniture will be on sale from specialists and nurserymen.

Be prepared for a wave of delicious scent as you come into the house, as English flowers decorate the Marble Hall, and the State Rooms will have been decked out by former florist to the Lord Mayor of London, Jan Ward.

The Coach House Restaurant and the Old Palace will be open throughout the weekend offering a wide selection of lunches, afternoon teas and snacks.

Tickets are £10 for adults (groups of 20+, £9) which includes house, park and garden entry. Plenty of free parking and a shuttlebus service are provided. For further information see www.hatfield-house.co.uk or call 01707 287010.

Through this event, Hatfield House is supporting Perennial, the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Society, and the National Gardens Scheme.

For your chance to win, simply answer correctly the following question.

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