Contest #615: Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, on the outskirts of Belfast, Northern Ireland

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park in south Belfast is one of our most popular parks. It is home to the City of Belfast International Rose Garden, which attracts thousands of visitors to our Rose Week celebrations, which take place in July each year.

Covering more than 128 acres, the park is made up of rolling meadows, copses, woodland and gardens and is home to a wide range of plants and animals. An ideal base for exploring nearby Lagan Valley Regional Park, it contains international camellia trials, a walled garden, a Japanese-style garden with water features for quiet contemplation.

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park was donated to the people of Belfast by Lady Dixon in 1959, in memory of her late husband, Sir Thomas.

Originally formed in the mid-18th century, as part of the Wilmont estate, the park was first owned by the Stewarts; a farming family from Scotland. The estate was used for growing crops and bleaching linen and the main family house stood on the site of what is now the park’s lower car park.

Here’s a blush rose, with raspberry scent.

Here’s a pink, come taste the edge.

And here, my dear, upon the stair,
is simply the hip of a white-blue rose
I’ve carried up to bed.

—L.L. Barkat, from Love, Etc.

For 2 points, as found before the hint:

  • hhgygy
  • Walter_V_R
  • Nancy Barbato Sinatra
  • Martin de Bock
  • Paul Voestermans
  • Eloy Cano
  • Farceur
  • Lighthouse
  • Phil Ower
  • Garfield
  • Robin Giles

No-one else with the hint!