Beautiful Cotswolds countryside, wild flowers and gardens at their best with roses and herbaceous borders in their prime. Stay in historic Stratford-upon-Avon and visit Anne Hathaway's cottage garden, David Austin's world famous rose nursery, Hidcote Manor, Kiftsgate, Sudeley Castle and Coton Manor, before experiencing the wonders of Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
Buffet breakfasts every day and dinner each evening are included in the cost of your UK garden tour. We proceed at a relaxed holiday pace and you are welcome to take a day off whenever we are scheduled to return to the same hotel in the evening.
Saturday 30th June 2012
Our Tour starts in the centre of historic Stratford-upon-Avon at the 4-star hotel, The Stratford,
for four nights. Make your own way to the hotel or we can arrange your
early morning transfer from London Heathrow airport with a pause for
lunch (time permitting) at Blenheim Palace. This evening join your Tour Director and the rest of the group before sitting down together for Dinner..
Sunday 1st July 2012
Our first visit is to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage,
a typical English cottage garden of the end of the 19th century around
the original thatched farm cottage family home of William Shakespeare’s
wife. There is a tree garden with examples of those mentioned in
Shakespeare’s works. We continue to Hidcote Manor Garden.
Major Lawerence Johnston is claimed to have been the originator here of
the “garden room”. It is exciting to see this first example in its
original form with his skilful use of flowers, shrubs and trees.Then on
to Kiftsgate Court, a
delightfully laid out plantsman’s garden on top of a hill with
magnificent views over the Vale of Evesham and a claim to the largest
rose in England. Colour predominates, with roses and campanulas making
a breathtaking impact everywhere in June and July.
Monday 2nd July 2012
Today we visit the lavish rose garden of David Austin,
one of the world’s leading rose breeders. See over 800 varieties,
including shrub, old fashioned, climbing and species roses. We return
to the Hotel in the afternoon with time for independent exploration of
the beautiful and historic Stratford-upon-Avon.
Tuesday 3rd July 2012
To Sudeley Castle,
a lovely 15th-century castle steeped in history with ruins strewn with
roses and clematis on old stone walls. There is a knot garden and lawns
studded with topiary shapes. Rare old trees stand against the castle
walls. Then onto a private visit to Mill Dene Garden.
The much photographed two and a half acre garden around the mill pond
and house contains a stream with grotto, a dye plant collection,
laburnum walk, rose terrace, herbaceous borders, fantasy fruit garden,
a potager, a sensory garden and sculpture exhibitions.
Wednesday 4th July 2012
We leave our Stratford Hotel and head to Coton Manor.
This peaceful ten acre garden occupies a hillside position extending
down from the 17th century manor house, constructed of mellow
Northamptonshire stone. Landscaped on different levels, it comprises a
series of distinctive smaller gardens, providing variety and interest
throughout the season, and enhanced by flowing streams, fountains and
ponds. Among the best features are a rose garden, a herb garden, a
woodland garden, colour plantings (including a wonderful crimson and
pink border), a Mediterranean bank, and apple orchard with 80 English
cultivars and wildflower meadow at its peak in June and July. We
proceed to the 4 star Beaumont Estate Hotel at Windsor, for the last three nights of our tour.
Thursday 5th July 2012
Today we make an early start to the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
, the Royal Horticultural Society’s greatest annual flower show, in a
magnificent historical setting. The Tudor Palace was built in the early
16th century by Thomas Wolsey. In the 17th century, Sir Christopher
Wren added extensions and was involved in the design of a new garden of
which part survives. The original 17th-century Privy Garden has been
beautifully restored. In contrast to its wonderful historic setting,
the Flower Show showcases the best of new conceptual garden design and
in 2012 will have a section dedicated to international gardens.
Friday 6th July 2012
Today we go to Wisley Garden,
the famous home of the Royal Horticultural Society. It is full of
ideas, inspiration and information. There is always a part of the
garden at its best. The shop offers as large a collection of books on
gardening as anywhere in the world. We end the tour with a visit to a
rare and award-winning English vineyard, Denbies.
Saturday 7th July 2012
We say good-bye in Hampton Court where you check-out from the Hotel and
make your own way by train to central London, by taxi of public
transport to Heathrow Airport at a time that suits your own travel. We
can advise on departure planning..
How to Book
Our full colour 2012 brochure with tour prices and booking details can be found by clicking the links below. Here you will 'meet' our appointed travel consultant for your country. We know them well and they have all sent people on our tours. They are enthusistic members of the Sisley Garden Tours team and can help you with other aspects of your holiday planning. Our appointed travel agent for your country will be pleased to make travel arrangements for you to connect with our tours. If available we can book you extra nights at tour hotels.
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