Chelsea Flower Show – 8 Days

Departing London this morning we head in to the ancient county of Kent “the garden of England”. Our first stop is at RHS Wisley, gifted to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1903, it has since evolved into a world class garden where you can explore the beautiful Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden, the picturesque orchard and the huge cathedral-like glass house with its world class tropical plant collection. This afternoon visit Scotney Castle, in the car of the National Trust, Scotney is a romantic 14th century moated castle nestling amongst picturesque gardens and over 770 acres of woodland and parkland. Voted one of the best gardens in England, it boasts a superb display of rhododendrons and azaleas.

• Accommodation: The Spa Hotel (or similar), Royal Tunbridge Wells – dinner included.
• Highlights: RHS Wisley, Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden and Scotney Castle.

DAY TWO – Merriments Garden and Great Dixter House

This morning we cross the county border in to Sussex to one of the best show gardens in England at Merriments Garden. This unique site has contrasting areas from the “Wild Area” offering an insight in to English country garden wildlife and more formal gardens set around the “Golden”, “Hot” and “Tropical” Borders areas which combine in an array of colours and botanical species. By afternoon we continue to another English icon and the largest half-timbered house in England, The Great Dixter parts of which date back to the 15th century and which is surrounded by stunning gardens. The Arts and Crafts style garden features topiary, an orchard and a wild flower meadow.

• Accommodation: The Spa Hotel (or similar), Royal Tunbridge Wells.
• Highlights: Marriments Garden and Great Dixter House.

DAY THREE – Sissinghurst and Ightham Mote

Today we travel to the beautiful Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, created by novelist Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson in the 1930’s. Set around a manor house dating back to the middle-ages, the stunning formal gardens were designed as a series of rooms each bursting with different colours and themes and each offering a glimpse in to the next; visit the rose garden, the white garden and the cottage garden or stroll around the Elizabethan tower and parts of the original manor house. This afternoon visit Ightham Mote, a medieval, moated manor house and deservedly one of the most popular small gardens in the region. Dating back nearly 700 years ago this house has been owned by medieval knights and courtiers to Henry VIII. Highlights include the Great Hall, the Tudor painted ceiling and the peaceful garden with an orchard, lake and woodland walks.

• Accommodation: The Spa Hotel (or similar), Royal Tunbridge Wells.
• Highlights: Yorkshire Moors, York Minster and the Shambles.

DAY FOUR – Hever Castle, Kent, England – Hever Castle and Chartwell

This morning we visit the magnificent 13th century Hever Castle, once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife. The unique double-moated castle is home to an array of Tudor antiques and artefacts whilst the surrounding 125 acres of spectacular gardens offers visitors plenty to discover including the yew maze, water maze, rose, herb and topiary gardens. By afternoon we continue to Chartwell, parts of this magnificent house date back to the 16th century but it is best known as Winston Churchill’s family home. Enjoy views across the Weald of Kent that “possessed” Churchill, stroll through the beautiful tranquil garden and discover rooms which remain much as they were when he lived here.

• Accommodation: Coach and Horses, Kew (or similar).
• Highlights: Hever Castle and Chartwell.

DAY FIVE – Kew Gardens and Ham House

Our journey today takes us to one of England’s most famous gardens, renowned throughout the world, as we explore the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Home to over 300 acres of beautiful landscape and an outstanding collection of plants these “must-see” gardens receive UNESCO World Heritage status. Highlights include the Treetop walkway, the Water Lily House and The Princess of Wales Conservatory dedicated to Lady Diana. This afternoon we visit Ham House, one of Europe’s greatest 17th century houses where we can discover an outstanding collection of furniture and textiles and explore the famous cherry garden and orangery.

• Accommodation: Coach and Horses, Kew (or similar).
• Highlights: Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Ham House.

DAY SIX – RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Today we have the pleasure of experiencing the most prestigious flower show in the world at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show which has been held annually since 1913, apart from gaps during the two World Wars, in the grounds of Chelsea Hospital. Closely associated with the Royal family, the opening of the show is attended each year by one of the Royals. We get to behold the array of contrasting award-winning feature gardens, learn new gardening tips and admire the magnificent flower displays in the Grand Pavilion.

• Accommodation: Coach and Horses, Kew (or similar) – dinner included.
• Highlights: RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

DAY SEVEN – Savill Gardens and Cliveden

Savill Garden, an enclosed area of the Windsor Great Park, is one of Britain’s greatest ornamental gardens, enjoyed by horticulturalists and enthusiasts alike. Boasting 35 acres of contemporary and classically designed gardens and exotic woodland, the garden combines native and exotic species and has bred many important garden hybrids. Finally we make our way to Cliveden House, an Itlianate Mansion which would not look out of place in an episode of Downton Abbey. Known particularly for its links with the Astor family, the house is surrounded by 376 acres of magnificent formal gardens and parkland which offer wonderful panoramic views over the River Thames and the Thames Valley. By evening we return to central London where our tour ends.

• Highlights: Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Cliveden House and views of the River Thames.