English Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show
Programme Overview
Duration: 9 days
A 9 day itinerary ideal for garden-lovers featuring the Chelsea Flower Show and some of England's best loved gardens
Highlights: Arundel, Storrington, Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, Battle Abbey, Woking, Burford, Broadway, Cotswolds, Bath, Highgrove, Broadway, London, Chelsea Flower Show
Arrive London - Amberley
Upon arrival you will be met by your local representative and transferred privately to your castle hotel and assisted with check-in
Overnight: Amberley Castle
Arundel & Storrington
This morning head to nearby 900 year-old Arundel Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk. Tour the gardens before making a private visit to the castle. Also enjoy time in the town of Arundel, visiting the imposing Roman Catholic Cathedral. Later proceed to Storrington to visit Parham House build in the late 16th century. The landscaped Pleasure Grounds include Veronica’s Maze, named after Veronica Tritton, built in 1991 as part of the celebrations for “The Year of the Maze”. Made of brick and turf, its design is based on the beautiful 16th century embroidery on the Great Bed in the house. The Walled Garden originates from the 18th century, although it is likely that the ground had been cultivated for centuries before that. Vibrant with color, it is run on organic principles, and is designed for a long season – its romantic mixed and herbaceous borders are of an Edwardian opulence.
Overnight: Amberley Castle
Meal Plan: B
Sissinghurst, Great Dixter & Battle Abbey
Today drive to Sissinghurst, a prime example of the Arts and Crafts style. The garden has been made on the site of a medieval manor and some of the structures are still surviving. Harold Nicolson, a diplomat and author, laid down the main lines of the Sissinghurst design in the 1930s and his wife, Vita Sackville-West, a poet and garden writer took responsibility for the planting. She worked as an 'artist-gardener' and her planting design was brilliant. The historical importance of Sissinghurst Castle Garden comes from its role in transmitting Gertrude Jekyll's design philosophy to a host of visitors. The most famous and influential feature of Sissinghurst is the White Garden which exemplifies Jekyll's idea of using color themes in planting design.
In the afternoon visit the late Christopher Lloyd’s garden at Great Dixter. The plot is composed of a series of smaller gardens including a fine topiary garden, rose garden, kitchen garden - an attractive mingling of vegetables and flowers, and a large orchard with many pockets of wild flowers and a magnificent herbaceous border in summer.
Before heading back to Amberley, take the opportunity to visit Battle Abbey, built on the site of the Battle of Hastings. Here a fascinating exhibition featuring CGI film and interactive displays tells the story of the greatest battle in English history and paints a picture of England at the time of the conquest. Explore the atmospheric abbey ruins and stand on the very spot where King Harold is said to have died.
Overnight: Amberley Castle
Meal Plan: B
Amberley, Woking, Burford & Broadway
Leave Amberley after breakfast and drive north to Woking to visit Wisley, the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society for over 100 years. Here you can enjoy the tender plant collection housed in the cathedral-like Glasshouse. Journey north to Broadway, stopping en route in the quaint Cotswold village of Burford for afternoon tea.
Arrive at the Lygon Arms early evening.
Overnight: Lygon Arms
Meal Plan: B
The Cotswolds
At the very north end of the Cotswold hills you will reach the gardens of Hidcote Manor, some of England's greatest gardens that are generally considered to be real Arts & Crafts masterpieces. Here you will be guided through the series of outdoor ‘rooms’ each with its own unique character. See old roses, unusual plants and trees from around the world. Nestled in the Cotswolds, the garden enjoys stunning panoramas across the Vale of Evesham.
Afterwards visit Kiftsgate Court Gardens, just a five minute walk away. Like Hidcote, this is a series of interconnecting gardens each with its distinct character and secrets. The upper gardens surrounding the house are planted to give harmonious color schemes, whilst the sheltered lower gardens provide a home for plants from warmer climes and recreate the atmosphere of the Mediterranean. The garden also claims to be home to the largest rose in England!
Drive to the lovely town of Chipping Campden with its attractive High Street, its Jacobean Market Hall and impressive Church of St James. Later in the afternoon return to Broadway.
Overnight: Lygon Arms
Meal Plan: B
Bath & Highgrove
This morning drive to the elegant spa resort of Bath, justly renowned for the beauty of its urban architecture, much of which was designed and laid out in characteristic honey colored 'Bath stone' in the 18th century when the city became extremely fashionable. Admire the graceful Georgian buildings and crescents, and visit the original Roman baths, founded in the 1st century AD, as well as the Pump Room and the Abbey with glorious 15th century fan vaulted ceiling. After time at leisure for lunch, drive to Highgrove, home to HRH The Prince Charles since 1980, Here we enjoy afternoon tea in the Orchard Room followed by a guided tour of the delightful gardens.
Overnight: Lygon Arms
Meal Plan: B
Broadway - London
Depart from the Cotswolds today and drive to Woodstock near Oxford to visit Blenheim Palace. Set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the magnificent palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns, award-winning formal gardens and a great lake. Here a special talk and tour focuses on Winston Churchill (born here in 1874) examining the breadth of talent, achievement and personality of the "Greatest Briton": soldier, politician, statesman, painter, writer, orator, family man - and bricklayer!
Continue to London.
Overnight: Milestone Hotel
Meal Plan: B
The Chelsea Flower Show
This morning transfer to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea to attend the opening day of the Chelsea Flower Show, perhaps the most famous flower show in the world. Enjoy coffee and refreshments on arrival, a four-course luncheon and afternoon tea during your time at the show.
Overnight: Milestone Hotel
Meal Plan: B