England is beautiful in spring, with its colourful blooms and expectant air, just perfect for a leisurely tour of some of its most well known and well loved gardens. Sissinghurst, Great Dixter and of course, the highlight of the tour the Chelsea Flower Show, offer ideas and inspiration for all garden lovers.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Chelsea Flower Show Tickets for entrance on ‘Members Only’ day
- Membership of the National Trust
- Membership of the
- Royal Horticultural Society
- Tour the lovely Cotswolds and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea
- Guided Tours of Leeds Castle, Oxford and Canterbury Cathedral
GARDEN VISITS
Abbey House, Blenheim Palace, Great Dixter, Hidcote Manor, West Green House, RHS Wisley, Sissinghurst, Stourhead, Sudeley Castle
Day 1. 13 May – Tour commences in Tunbridge Wells
Today a transfer will be available from London Heathrow to our hotel in Tunbridge Wells. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for a welcome drink then relax over dinner at the hotel. The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells (D)
Day 2. 14 May – Great Dixter & Sissinghurst
Our first visit is to Great Dixter, one of the most experimental gardens of our time, with its designs by Lutyens. Its variety includes yew topiary, colourful borders and the Exotic Garden around the lovely 16thC manor house. Then to Sissinghurst Castle, perhaps the most celebrated in England and one of the most beautiful. Developed by Vita Sackville-West in the 1930s around an Elizabethan mansion, the garden is a series of small ‘rooms’. These include the White garden, Rose garden, herb garden and the Moat walk. The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells [B]
Day 3. 15 May – Leeds Castle & Canterbury
Today begins with a visit to Leeds Castle. Set in 500 acres of parkland, it is considered to be one of the loveliest castles in the world. Then to Canterbury where there’s time to stroll ‘the Narrows’, (the medieval shopping streets), before our guided tour of the Cathedral. We return to our hotel. The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells (B)
Day 4. 16 May – Stourhead – Bath – Cheltenham
This morning our drive takes us first to Stourhead. Secluded in its own private valley, Stourhead features one of the world’s finest landscape gardens. The 18th-century design centres on the magnificent lake, surrounded by classical temples, enchanting grottoes and rare and exotic trees. After our visit here we continue to the lovely Georgian city of Bath where there is time to explore at your own pace – perhaps visit the Roman Baths or stroll the elegant streets. This afternoon we head to Cheltenham, our home for the next four nights. Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham (B,D)
Day 5. 17 May – Sudeley Castle – Abbey House Gardens
We visit the gardens at Sudeley Castle this morning. Plantings around the ruins of the 15thC Tithe Barn contrast with intricate detail seen in the Knot Garden. Topiary features strongly and the famous Queens Garden, full of old fashioned roses and herbs, is flanked by magnificent double yew hedges. Next to Abbey House in Malmesbury, home of the ‘Naked Gardeners’ Ian & Barbara Pollard. With over 10,000 different plants this is a ‘must see’ garden with probably the best flower display you could find. We return to Cheltenham this afternoon. Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham (B)
Day 6. 18 May – Hidcote Manor and Cotswolds touring
Today’s first garden is at Hidcote Manor. Nestled in the Cotswolds with sweeping views across the Vale of Evesham, Hidcote is designed in the Arts & Crafts style, it is arranged as a series of outdoor rooms, each with a different ‘character’. This afternoon we drive through the pretty villages of the Cotswolds with their honey-coloured stone buildings. We’ll stop to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea before returning to our hotel. Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham (B)
Day 7. 19 May – Blenheim Palace & Oxford
This morning we visit Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke of Marlborough. The 5,000 hectares comprises of parkland, formal gardens and lakes. You will have the chance to tour inside the Palace as well as the grounds. Then to the university town of Oxford for a guided walking tour, with a visit to some of England’s oldest colleges, before returning to Cheltenham for an evening at leisure. Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham (B)
Day 8. 20 May – West Green House -RHS Garden Wisley – London
First to West Green House Gardens, restored by acclaimed gardener Australian Marylyn Abbott. With a neo-classical park studded with birdcages, monuments and a lake, they are some of the most spectacular gardens of recent times. If available, Marylyn will join us for an informal talk. Then to the Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Wisley. Its 97 hectares offer a blend of practical and innovative design with cultivation techniques. We end our day with a drive into London where we stay for three nights. Mercure Bloomsbury, London [B]
Day 9. 21 May – London at leisure
Spend today exploring at your own pace with your included London sightseeing “hop on-hop-off” all day ticket. Take advantage of the three different routes available to really explore the city. Mercure Bloomsbury, London [B]
Day 10. 22 May – Chelsea Flower Show
You have a full day to discover all the sights of the Chelsea Flower Show. Your membership of the RHS (included) gives you access on this special Member Day, which means you avoid some of the crowds of the public entry days. A late afternoon transfer at a set time will be available to return to the hotel. Tonight we have our farewell dinner in an up-market city restaurant. Mercure Bloomsbury, London [B,D]
Day 11. 23 May – Tour ends in London
Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. (B) We can arrange travel and accommodation if you’d like to extend your stay in the UK or travel to Europe.
Note: We have not included airfares in the tour price so that you can take advantage of the best airfare available at time of booking. Ask us for a quote on one of our special airfares.
Tour Price per person in A$ Land Only
(Airfares not included)
- Twin Share $5,890
- Single supplement $790
Tour Inclusions
- 12 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels
- The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells
- Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham
- Mercure Bloomsbury, London
- English breakfast daily (B) • 3 dinners (D)
- Welcome Drinks Afternoon tea in the Cotswolds
- Membership of the National Trust
- Membership of the Royal Horticultural Society, including free access to RHS gardens & other recommended gardens, plus a monthly magazine
- Chelsea Flower Show Tickets for entrance on ‘Members Only’ day
- Sightseeing & entrance fees to all gardens listed
- All travel by air-conditioned coach
- Porterage of one suitcase
- Elite Special Event Tours travel wallet
Not included: Airfares, meals other than listed in itinerary, tips, discretionary gratuities to guides, drinks, personal items
Note: We have not included airfares in the tour price so that you can take advantage of the best airfare available at time of booking. Ask us for a quote on one of our special airfares.
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Download the brochure here: Chelsea2013