HISTORIC Sudeley Castle launches its second Rose Week later this month, but visitors can get a taste of what's in store through a new publication.

The Gardens of Sudeley Castle has been published in a new edition with a foreword by Roddy Llewellyn, who writes: "The gentle warm feeling I experienced after the first time I went to Sudeley does not alter with every subsequent visit."

He adds: "The thought and time that Lady Ashcombe has expended on the gardens since 1984 is obvious."

He concludes: "The gardens have never looked better or more loved during the 1,000 years of this great castle's existence."

The book covers the history of the castle and in particular its gardens from the 10th century until today.

It comes out just in time for Rose Week, which runs from Monday, June 24, to Sunday, June 30, with a range of events on offer to the public.

Tours of the gardens take place every day, as do rose-based talks and demonstrations, such as growing roses by the castle's head gardener Iain Billot, organic gardening and making paper roses.

There is also a gardener's question time presented by celerity gardener Reg Moule in the evening of Thursday, June 27.

The castle and gardens are open daily from 10.30am to 5.30pm. The Gardens of Sudeley Castle costs £3.