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Haddon Hall

Chatsworth House - copyright visitEngland

Eastleach House

World of Wedgwood

Eastleach House

RHS Chatsworth House Flower Show, Oxford and the Cotswolds Tour

Sunday 3rd June – Saturday 9th June 2018 (6 nights)

Tour highlights:

  • Members-only day at the RHS Chatsworth House Flower Show
  • One year’s membership to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
  • Afternoon tea at the Wedgwood China tea emporium
  • Private visits with garden tours at Eastleach House, Armscote Manor, Thornbridge Hall and Cottesbrooke Hall
  • Pre-opening visits to Biddulph Grange Garden and Haddon Hall
  • Oxford walking tour visiting a historic university college and Oxford Botanic Gardens
  • Private river cruise and dinner in Oxford
Chatsworth House

Sunday 3rd June

After our morning pick-up at Heathrow Airport, we make our way north towards the Peak District, stopping en-route for lunch (included). We visit Cottesbrooke Hall, a privately owned Queen Anne style house with award-winning gardens. The gardens have become a show piece for both Arts & Crafts and contemporary garden design.

We arrive, late afternoon, at our hotel – the beautifully situated 4-star Losehill House Hotel & Spa. The hotel sits in a deep verdant valley with superb walks from the doorstep and gorgeous views from all aspects. Join your tour director and the rest of the group for dinner (included).

Monday 4th June

Today we begin with a visit to the Tudor Haddon Hall, one of England’s finest examples of a medieval manor. We’ll have morning coffee on arrival in the Great Hall followed by a guided tour of the Hall and Gardens. Parts of the house date from the 12th century, but Arne Maynard – Gold Medal winner at Chelsea Flower Show – as garden designer, is giving the gardens a historic make-over.

We stop in the charming Peak District market town of Bakewell where there will be free time for lunch and shopping. After lunch we make a visit to the private gardens at Thornbridge Hall, 12 acres of quintessential English gardens, recently redeveloped and improved by the current owners.

We return to the hotel for dinner (included).

Tuesday 5th June

This morning we enjoy a scenic drive through the Peak District National Park to our first garden, Biddulph Grange Gardens. These extraordinary Victorian gardens, that were created by James Bateman for his collection of plants from around the world, take you on a global journey from Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, from a Chinese temple to an Himalayan glen.

We travel through the English ‘potteries’ to the World of Wedgwood, a unique visitor experience celebrating the very best of British design and heritage. Here we’ll have a refined afternoon tea (included) in the tea emporium followed by time to explore the Wedgwood Museum – one of the most important ceramic collections in the world. There will also be opportunity to see the Wedgwood craftsmen at work in the factory and browse the flagship Wedgwood store.

We take a scenic drive through the Peak District National Park and the spa town of Buxton on our return to the hotel for dinner (included).

Wednesday 6th June

Today we visit the RHS Flower Show at Chatsworth House on its first ‘members-only’ day. Chatsworth has a rich tapestry of gardening history with many leading creative thinkers making their mark, including Joseph Paxton and Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. As well as celebrating inspirational people who have shaped history, the show will also showcase gardening trends for 2018 and beyond. There will be the opportunity to visit Chatsworth House (entry included).

We depart the show mid-afternoon and make our way to the delightful university city of Oxford where we check in to the centrally located, 4-star Mercure Oxford Eastgate. Dinner in the hotel (included).

Thursday 7th June

This morning we meet a local expert for a guided walking tour of the city of Oxford including a visit to one of the Oxford University Colleges.  After the tour we’ll have lunch together (included) in Oxford before enjoying a free afternoon to explore the city. There will be the opportunity to visit Oxford Botanic Gardens (included), the oldest in Britain.

The evening is at your leisure – an opportunity to explore the many cafes and restaurants on our hotel’s doorstop.

Friday 8th June

Today we explore the delightful south-east corner of The Cotswolds (designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). We begin with a visit to Armscote Manora stunning private garden designed by Dan Pearson and included in Tim Richardson’s The New English Garden.

We enjoy free time in Stow-on-the-Wold for lunch. This is a traditional Cotswolds market town with characterful shops, traditional tea rooms and pubs. After lunch we enjoy a private visit to Eastleach House. We will meet the owner of this delightful garden which has been created from scratch over a period of thirty years. The gardens incorporate a wild flower walk, walled and rill gardens, modern herbaceous borders, lily ponds, formal herb garden and topiary.

Our final evening together includes a delightful private evening river cruise through Oxford followed by dinner (included) overlooking the River Thames.

Saturday 9th June

We depart Oxford mid-morning and make two drop-offs; Heathrow Airport and central London. We can advise on departure planning.

Aerial view of All Souls College - credit VisitEnglandAsthall ManorWorld of WedgwoodChatsworth HouseChelsea Flower ShowOxford Botanic Garden, with Magdalen Tower credit VisitEnglandUpton Wold Eastleach HousePeaceful village scene in the Cotswolds - copyright VisitEngland

RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, Oxford & the Cotswolds

Our Hotels

Our hotels are 4-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access.

Losehill House Hotel & Spa, Peak District

Set in an Arts and Crafts building dating from 1914, this luxurious spa hotel occupies a secluded spot in the heart of the Peak District National Park with stunning views overlooking Win Hill. Rooms are well appointed and the spa offers indoor heated pool, outdoor heated jacuzzi and treatment rooms.

Losehill House Hotel
Mercure Eastgate Hotel, Oxford

This contemporary hotel is housed in a 17th century townhouse in the heart of the city of Oxford. The famous novelists J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S Lewis frequented the hotel while being Fellows at Merton College and Magdalen College respectively. All rooms are ‘Privilege’ standard with Nespresso machines and feature headboards with scenes from the city.

Mercure Oxford Hotel

TOUR PRICES: Prices are per person, based on twin/double room share, with single supplement shown separately. Prices are payable in £GBP.

 Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) Single Supplement (for single occupancy of a double room)
£2,600 (GBP) £500 (GBP)

PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodation at 4-star hotel with en-suite facilities based on twin/double room share; buffet breakfast daily; lunch and/or dinner daily (see itinerary); admissions to gardens and prestigious member’s only day at Chatsworth Flower Show; one year’s membership of the RHS; deluxe coach travel with professional driver; guided tours and speakers as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; services of your Sisley tour director throughout; arrival transfers are included only if you are joining the tour at Heathrow Airport on the first morning of the tour.

PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares; passport and/or visa fees; beverages; laundry; telephone calls; lunches and dinners (except where included in the itinerary); gratuities; souvenirs and items of a personal nature.

Laskett Garden Chatsworth Upton WoldAfternoon tea at the Wedgwood factory - copyright VisitEngland

We are delighted you’ve decided to join a Sisley Garden Tour. There are several ways to book:

  • You can book directly through Sisley Garden Tours
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  • You can ask your local travel agent to contact us and book on your behalf
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We very much look forward to welcoming you.

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