Chelsea Flower Show & the Great Gardens of Kent

Friday 14th May

We meet at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel at Heathrow Airport and depart mid-morning. Our first visit is to Great Comp Garden, an enormous achievement by two people who retired in 1957 from a busy London life. This is an informal garden set against a background of deciduous woodland. The gardens are now cared for by curator William Dyson, the UK’s leading Salvia expert. Lunch is included.

In the late afternoon we check-in to the 4-star Spa Hotel, Royal Tunbridge Wells. Dinner is in the hotel (included).

Saturday 15th May

We begin the day with a pre-opening visit to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens − the epitome of the English garden with its series of garden rooms, each filled with different planting schemes and unique designs. Lunch is included at Sissinghurst.

Our next visit is to the beautiful private gardens at Long Barn. This was the first home of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson where they ‘served their gardening apprenticeship’ before moving to Sissinghurst.

Dinner is in the hotel (included).

Sunday 16th May

Our first visit today is a pre-opening guided tour of Great Dixter, a cottage garden on a grand scale developed by the late Christopher Lloyd. The gardens are now superbly curated by internationally renowned gardener, Fergus Garrett. There is time for lunch (independent).

In the afternoon, we visit a small but fascinating private garden renowned for its topiary. We meet the artistic owner who has created this garden during the last 30 years. We then make a stop at Chapel Down Vineyard for Sunday dinner in their stylish restaurant (included).

Monday 17th May

This morning we enjoy a pre-opening tour of the medieval, double-moated Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. The extensive grounds feature a 35-acre lake, fountains and magnificent original Roman and Italian Renaissance statuary. We enjoy Afternoon Tea (included) for lunch.

We return to Royal Tunbridge Wells for a walk along the ‘Pantiles’ where the remainder of your afternoon and evening is at leisure (dinner independent).

Tuesday 18th May

After check-out we head to London to enjoy the first members-only day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Marvel at the magnificent floral displays presented 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, sculptures, clothing and garden gifts for sale. There is time for lunch (independent).

In the late-afternoon we check-in to the 4-star Castle Hotel Windsor where we have dinner (included).

Wednesday 19th 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. A buffet dinner will be served on board (included).

Thursday 20th May

There is some free time to enjoy Windsor before we visit two properties created by Tom Stuart-Smith, award-winning landscape architect. We have lunch on arrival (included) then see Tom’s own garden, The Barn Garden on the Serge Hill estate. Next, we have the opportunity to explore a significant recent addition, The Plant Library, part of the Serge Hill Project to promote gardening, creativity and health.

In the afternoon, we return to Windsor and walk from our hotel across to Windsor Castle where we enjoy the splendour of this royal residence. Your evening is at leisure (dinner independent).

Friday 21st May

On this final day of the tour, we visit  RHS Wisley – the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship garden. We will have a guided tour of the superb and varied gardens which cover some 240 acres and inspire in every season, followed by a private lunch (included) in the Tulip Room.

In the afternoon we drop off at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel and Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 for inter-terminal transport links and trains 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 Spa Hotel, Royal Tunbridge Wells (4 nights)

Situated in 14 acres of picturesque grounds on the edge of Royal Tunbridge Wells, The Spa Hotel is a 4-star family run hotel offering 70 well-appointed and individually styled bedrooms. Originally built in 1766 as a country mansion, the hotel is surrounded by glorious gardens and offers an indoor pool, gym and tennis court.

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

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.

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)
£6,590 (GBP)	£700 (GBP)

PRICES INCLUDE:

• 7 nights’ accommodation at 4-star hotels with ensuite facilities.
• Breakfast daily, 5 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 telephone calls.

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

There are three ways to pay for your tour and you will be asked on the booking form which you prefer:

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.

BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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.

To download a PDF of the tour itinerary to print out or send to friends, please choose the Print Itinerary button.

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.