Castles and Gardens of the Cotswolds with Chelsea Flower Show

Saturday 15th May

After our morning pick up at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel at Heathrow Airport, we head to the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship garden at RHS Wisley. We enjoy a guided tour so you’ll be sure to see the very best of these impressive and extensive gardens, which cover some 240 acres and inspire in every season. We have a private lunch (included) in the Tulip Room.

In the afternoon we check-in to the 4-star Castle Hotel, Windsor. Dinner at the hotel (included).

Sunday 16th May

Today we make a visit to the majestic Hampton Court Palace. Discover the world of King Henry VIII and his Tudor Court and the vast formal gardens that extend over 60 acres. We enjoy a tour on arrival followed by free time to explore the interiors, chapel and extensive gardens. Lunch (independent).

In the afternoon, we make a stop at Runnymede, where the historic Magna Carta was first signed, and board our river boat to take a leisurely private cruise along the River Thames back to Windsor where a buffet dinner is served on board (included).

Monday 17th May

Cliveden House is our destination this morning. Cliveden is a grand historic estate once owned by William Waldorf Astor. Its magnificent formal gardens, now owned and managed by the National Trust, overlook the River Thames and feature the famous parterre garden, distinctive topiary and the recently completed Long Garden with its sustainable planting scheme. After a garden tour, we enjoy a splendid Afternoon Tea (included) at Cliveden House which is now a luxury hotel.

In the afternoon we return to Windsor where we visit majestic Windsor Castle, the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle, serving as a royal residence. It features grand state apartments, a magnificent art collection and reveals centuries of British history. Your evening is at leisure (dinner independent).

Tuesday 18th May

After check-out, we head to central London to enjoy the first members-only day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Marvel at the magnificent floral displays by the best nurseries and specialist growers in the main pavilion. Be inspired by the extraordinary show gardens created by the leading lights in horticulture and enjoy the extensive array of gardening tools and gifts. Explore at your own pace and enjoy lunch at the show (independent).

We arrive, in the late afternoon, at the 5-star Ellenborough Park Hotel in the Cotswolds for check in and dinner (included).

Wednesday 19th May

This morning we enjoy a leisurely departure and then head to the lovely Cotswolds’ market town of Broadway. There is time for shopping and lunch (independent).

Kiftsgate Court is our next stop where we explore this delightfully laid out plantsman’s garden created by three generations of women who have all left their individual mark on the garden.

We end the day with an exclusive after-hours visit to the famous Hidcote Manor Garden. We will enjoy a tour of the gardens after they have closed to the public, ending with drinks on the terrace. We return to the hotel, stopping in the quaint town of Winchcombe for dinner in a local pub (included).

 Thursday 20th May

This morning we are treated to a tour of Sudeley Castle; a romantic estate with distinct gardens rooms and a history stretching back over 1,000 years. Henry VIII’s final wife, Katherine Parr, lies entombed in Sudeley’s St. Mary’s Chapel and is the only English Queen to be buried on private land.

We then have time in the pretty market town of Stow-on-the-Wold for lunch (independent) and shopping. In the afternoon, we have a tour of one of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful private gardens. The garden surrounds an attractive Georgian house with carefully crafted planting. One of the most impressive features is the Dovecote Garden. We return to the hotel for our final night dinner (included).

Friday 21st May

After checking-out, we stop for a garden tour and lunch (included) at the World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. It is a monumental and historic palace with fabulous formal gardens including the scented rose garden and ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds stretching over 2,000 acres.

In the afternoon we drop off at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel and Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 for inter-terminal transport links and train travel into London.

Note: This tour includes one year’s individual membership of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Some garden visits await final confirmation at the time of publication.

Please read our Tour Joining and Departure Arrangements information sheet here. To download a printable version of this itinerary, click here.

The Castle Hotel, Windsor (3 nights)

The Castle Hotel is an historic, elegant hotel located in central Windsor, opposite the Guildhall and a stones throw from Windsor Castle. It has recently been fully refurbished and offers 108 stylish rooms offering a blend of heritage charm and contemporary amenities.

A/C – yes I Lift to all floors – yes I Spa & Pool – no.

Ellenborough Park, near Cheltenham (3 nights)

Ellenborough Park, an ancient house dating from the 1500’s on the site of the original Cheltenham racecourse estate, has been restored as an exceptional luxury 5-star country house hotel, located just 10 minutes from the Cotswolds town of Cheltenham Spa. Set within 90 acres of parkland the hotel comprises 62 rooms and suites with an Indian-themed spa and outdoor heated swimming pool. There are lovely lounges to relax in and a wood-panelled dining room.

A/C – yes I Lift to all floors – yes I Spa & Pool – yes.

TOUR PRICES: Prices are per person, based on twin/double room share, with single supplement (solo occupancy of a double room) shown separately. Tours are priced in £GBP.

Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room)	Single Supplement (for single occupancy of a double room)
£6,350 (GBP)	£1,000 (GBP)

PRICES INCLUDE:

• 6 nights’ accommodation at 4 and 5-star hotels with ensuite facilities.
• Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 5 dinners.
• Assistance with luggage at the hotels.
• All garden visits including tours with garden owners and head gardeners.
• One year’s membership of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
• First members-only day at Chelsea Flower Show.
• Deluxe coach travel with professional driver.
• This tour starts and ends at Heathrow Airport.
• An information pack with detailed booklet about the gardens we will be visiting.
• Services of your Sisley tour director throughout.
• All tour gratuities (driver, tour director and hotels).

PRICES EXCLUDE:

• Airfares.
• Passport and/or visa fees if applicable.
• Meals not included in the tour, drinks, laundry, and incidentals.

TOUR PAYMENT: A 10% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place(s) on the tour. Your balance payment is due 120 days prior to the tour departure.

EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION:  You can get an idea of the cost of the tour in your local currency by using a currency converter. Conversion rates are based on institutional or inter-bank daily rates. Retail conversion rates include fees and will generally differ from these rates.

BOOK YOUR TOUR

To book your place(s) please complete our online booking form at www.sisley.co.uk/booking-form/ or click the BOOK NOW button below. As soon as we receive your booking form, we will confirm availability on the tour of your choice and arrange collection of your 10% deposit which secures your booking.

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HOW TO PAY

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With our travel partner in North America: You can book your tour in USD$ or CAD$ by credit card or check with our partners at DHTour – a London and UK specialist travel agent. Find out more about DHTour here.

With Sisley Garden Tours: All clients are welcome to book a tour directly with us. We can accept payment in GBP£ by bank transfer or by credit/debit card via secure online payment link.

With your own travel agent: We are happy to work with your preferred travel agent. Just provide us with their contact details on the booking form and we will take care of the rest.

TRAVEL INSURANCE AND BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

It is mandatory for all overseas visitors to the UK to have travel insurance before joining our tours. Full details of our booking terms & conditions can be found at www.sisley.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section on our website for further information www.sisley.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/

We very much look forward to welcoming you, but please email tours@sisley.co.uk if you have any queries.

If you would like to complete our online booking form, please click the Book Now button.

Please contact us if you have any queries about the tour or would like to arrange for us to call you back.

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Read through our Frequently Asked Question section to find out more about our tours, dress code, average day, tips etc.

To assist you in pre and post tour planning, you might wish to read our tour Joining and Departure Arrangements. Click opposite for further details.