The Grand Tour of England’s Gardens
12 days from just £799.99 (RHS Members' price)
Various dates from June to August 2013
Day 1 - RHS Garden Wisley
En-route to our first hotel, we visit RHS Garden Wisley, the Society’s flagship garden in Surrey. Its 240 acres of peaceful surroundings contain a great diversity of garden types to interest and inspire. A more recent addition is the state-of-the-art Glasshouse, built to celebrate the RHS’s bicentenary.
Day 2 - RHS Garden Hyde Hall & Cambridge
RHS Garden Hyde Hall was once a working hilltop farm which was gradually turned into a garden in the 1950s. Creating it here was a massive challenge, due to the exposed landscape and type of soil, but by choosing the right plants for the conditions, it has proved an inspiring success.
We admire the beautiful architecture and historic landmarks of Cambridge on our guided tour. This fascinating city is dominated by the University’s majestic college buildings, including famous King’s College Chapel. We also spend some free time here.
Day 3 - Anglesey Abbey Gardens & Elton Hall
We visit Anglesey Abbey Gardens. Created by Lord Fairhaven between 1930 and 1966, there is plenty to discover in these landscape gardens; from rolling lawns, formal gardens and beautiful flower borders to an exceptional array of classical statuary.
The ancestral home of the Proby family since 1660, Elton Hall is a romantic, part Gothic house set in stunning gardens. The house is a mix of styles with a remarkable collection of pictures and furniture while the gardens have been carefully restored in recent years and include a rose garden, sunken garden and arboretum.
Day 4 - Felley Priory & Hardwick Hall
Nestled in rolling countryside, the tranquil Felley Priory Gardens are home to many rare and unusual plants. Covering 2.5 acres, there are herbaceous borders, a walled rose garden and a mixture of trees and shrubs. However, Felley’s outstanding feature has to be the architectural box and yew topiary birds of the knot garden.
We make our way to Hardwick Hall, which has emerged virtually unscathed since the powerful Bess of Hardwick ordered its construction in the 1590s. With its enormous windows and lofty ceilings, it feels as strikingly original today, while the fabulous tapestries and embroideries are some of the finest in existence.
Day 5 - York & RHS Garden Harlow Carr
We enjoy a fascinating guided tour of historic York. The iconic Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and the city is also home to a picturesque warren of medieval lanes and city walls that have stood since Roman times. We also have some free time to explore the city at our own pace.
We head to RHS Garden Harlow Carr, located on the outskirts of Harrogate. The garden presents an intriguing mixture: on the one hand at the forefront of innovative planting styles and design, and on the other hand a restful place of water, woodland and stone that blends into the Yorkshire landscape around it.
Day 6 - Tatton Park & Biddulph Grange Garden
Tatton Park is one of Britain’s most complete estates, with a landscaped deer park and exquisite formal gardens. The opulent interior is crammed with collections of silver, china, glass and fine furniture made by Gillows. This grandeur also extends outside to the garden, where year-round colour is provided by the Rose, Italian and Japanese gardens.
One of the most exciting survivals of the great age of Victorian gardening, Biddulph Grange Garden is certainly unusual. Created by Darwin contemporary James Bateman for his collection of plants from around the world, the garden is divided into a series of themed interconnecting gardens, including the Chinese-inspired garden, Himalayan glen and formal Italian garden.
Day 7 - Stratford-upon-Avon & Coughton Court
Stratford-upon-Avon is forever associated with Shakespeare. Today there is the option to watch a matinee performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or head to nearby Coughton Court. For those staying in Stratford, there are also riverside gardens close to the town’s theatres to wander through, and Shakespeare’s birthplace.
The history behind Coughton Court is a fascinating one; home to the Throckmorton family for 600 years, it has connections to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The family still live in this fine Tudor house and have created and manage the award-winning gardens which include a riverside walk, orchard, bog garden and a beautiful display of roses and herbaceous plants.
Day 8 - Blenheim Palace & Oxford
Set in more than 2,000 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the exquisite Baroque Blenheim Palace is now classified as a World Heritage Site. As the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough, the palace is synonymous with the Churchill family and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
We take a guided tour of historic Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires, with students on bicycles and superlative museums and libraries. Our walking tour will include all the iconic sights including the city’s best-known university colleges and quads.
Day 9 - Westonbirt Arboretum & Bath
Planted by Robert Holford in the 19th century, the National Arboretum at Westonbirt contains an unrivalled collection of more than 16,000 specimens of woody plants, making it a delightful setting throughout the year. Strolling along one of the 17 miles of paths here offers a dazzling display of colour.
Nestling in a steep-sided valley, Bath is undoubtedly one of Britain’s most beautiful places. Its array of Regency buildings is unrivalled, with sweeping crescents, elegant squares and wide avenues hewn out of the local golden stone. We’ll join a guided tour to explore the myriad highlights of the city.
Day 10 - RHS Garden Rosemoor & Exeter
RHS Garden Rosemoor is the RHS’s most south-westerly garden, set against the steeply wooded slopes of the idyllic Torridge Valley and extending over 65 acres. The original informal gardens showcase a massive diversity of plants while the newer, formal gardens enjoy a glorious woodland setting. A stunning lake and arboretum complement the gardens.
Once a Roman fortified settlement, Exeter is one of the oldest cities in England. Large sections of the Roman and medieval city walls still stand but its most well-known landmark is the magnificent cathedral, dating back to Norman times. Exeter’s historic quayside is a great place to take a stroll with its interesting architecture and mix of antique and craft shops, pubs and cafés.
Day 11 - Montacute House & Stonehenge
Montacute House is a magnificent Elizabethan mansion built in the local honey-coloured Hamstone. It boasts the longest gallery in England, spanning the entire length of the house, which displays a collection of Tudor and Elizabethan portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery. The terraced, formal gardens contain Montacute’s famous ‘wobbly’ yew hedges.
We make a short stop at the World Heritage Site of Stonehenge, perhaps the most famous prehistoric monument in the world with its iconic stone circle and mystical origins.
Day 12 – Home
We leave our final hotel and head for home.
Your hotel
Located conveniently for your excursions, your accommodation will be a number of well-appointed hotels from reputable groups such as Mercure. Our two-night stay in the Cotswolds on nights 7 & 8 will be at the historic Heythrop Manor. Dinner and breakfast are included in the price shown. Your hotels will be confirmed in your paperwork before you travel.
Single supplement £220
Why not meet us at Wisley?
If you would rather take public transport or your own car to our first excursion, at RHS Garden Wisley, we can meet you there. Drivers will be able park their cars for the duration of the holiday at no extra cost. You can see the gardens at leisure and then board the coach for this very special Grand Tour, the first of its kind.
Your holiday includes
- Return coach travel from a local pick-up point
- 11 nights dinner, bed and breakfast
- All entrance fees
- Guided city tours
Are you an RHS member?
The prices shown are for RHS Members.
Non-members price £849.99
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Just Go! are open seven days a week Monday to Friday 8am-8pm; Saturday 9am-5:30pm; Sunday 9am-5pm.