Glorious Gardens of the Cotswolds with David Austin Roses
Join us on our exclusive garden tour to the Cotswolds – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We are based at the historic Ettington Park Hotel from which we visit superlative country estates, picturesque villages, rolling countryside and beautiful gardens. A highlight will be exploring the glorious rose garden at David Austin Roses’ headquarters with acclaimed rosarian, Michael Marriott.
- Spend the day with one of the UK’s most renowned rosarians, Michael Marriott and explore David Austin’s famous rose garden with him.
- Private ‘out of hours’ lunch and garden tour at Coughton Court, hosted by the owners.
- Special ‘after-hours’ visit to Hidcote Manor Gardens.
- Private tour and lunch at The Royal Gardens at Highgrove.
- Idyllic Cotswolds scenery.
- Time to explore the historic market town of Stow-on-the-Wold.
- Exclusive garden visits to five stunning private gardens.
Photo credits: Morton Hall ©Clive Nichols; The Royal Gardens at Highgrove ©Highgrove Enterprises, ©Ham Court.. All other images ©Sisley Garden Tours
After our morning pick-up at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel, Heathrow Airport, we head to the charming country house hotel, the 4-star Ettington Park.
En-route we stop at the historic Ham Court, home of Matthew Rice, artist and gardener. Matthew has created a beautiful garden in the grounds of the ancient house and will show us around. We enjoy lunch (included) in the garden before continuing onto the hotel for check-in.
In the evening we have dinner (included) in the hotel.
Monday 1st June
Today we will be accompanied by Michael Marriott, acclaimed rosarian and visit David Austin Roses − the lavish rose garden of David Austin, one of the world’s leading rose breeders. The nursery features five themed gardens filled with over 700 rose varieties including shrub, old fashioned, climbing and species roses. The National Collection of English Roses is held in these gardens. It is a sensory delight.
In the afternoon we explore the beautiful Elizabethan home of the Throckmorton family since 1409, Coughton Court. We have lunch with the owners (included) then enjoy a private tour of the gardens. The 25-acre grounds feature a walled garden, a rose labyrinth boasting over 200 varieties of roses, a bog garden and a delightful courtyard garden.
We return to the hotel where your evening is at leisure (dinner independent).
Tuesday 2nd June
This morning we visit the superb gardens at Morton Hall. This 8-acre historic garden has undergone an extensive make-over in recent years and is one of England’s most exciting private gardens to visit. We meet the owner for a tour and light lunch (included).
Then on to Kiftsgate Court, a delightfully laid out plantsman’s paradise created by three generations of women who have all left their individual mark on the garden. It is located on top of a hill with magnificent views over the Vale of Evesham.
We end the day with an exclusive after-hours visit to the famous Hidcote Manor Garden. Major Lawrence Johnston is claimed to have been the originator here of the ‘garden room’. We will enjoy the gardens, as very few do, after closing. We take a stroll through the garden, ending with drinks on the terrace.
We return to the hotel for dinner (included).
Wednesday 3rd June
This morning we spend some free time in the quaint Cotswolds town of Tetbury. This is followed by a visit to the Royal Gardens at Highgrove, the private home of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla. These gardens have been created by King Charles over 30 years and are widely regarded as some of the most innovative in the UK.
After our tour of the gardens, we will enjoy lunch (included).
We return to the hotel for dinner (included).
Please note: Visits to Highgrove are limited and dependent on the King’s diary. Dates are released in spring each year, therefore it is not possible to guarantee a visit before this time. Our itinerary may be re-ordered to accommodate the visit, or an alternative garden will be included should a visit not be possible.
Thursday 4th June
Today, we are treated to two marvellous private gardens. The first is a beautiful private 6-acre walled garden in the heart of the Cotswolds, with parts originally laid out by acclaimed garden designer, Rosemary Verey.
From here we make a stop in the Cotswolds market town of Stow-on-the-Wold where you will have time to browse the independent shops, look around the ancient church and have lunch (independent).
In the afternoon we continue on to one of the Cotswolds’ most stylish private gardens. The garden surrounds an attractive Georgian house with carefully crafted planting. Highlights of the garden include the Dovecote Garden, an extensive productive garden and beautiful herbaceous borders.
On our return to the hotel we stop off at a traditional country pub for dinner (included).
Friday 5th June
This morning we visit the striking garden at Upton Wold, where we will be taken on a tour to explore this intriguing garden that has been created over the last 40 years by the owners and includes the national collection of walnut trees.
We have our final private lunch (included) in the Garden Room.
In the late afternoon we drop off at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel and Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 for inter-terminal transport links and the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line trains into London.
Note: 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 the itinerary, click here.
Our Hotel is 4-star and selected for its high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are ensuite and offer free wifi access.
Ettington Park, near Stratford-upon-Avon (5 nights)
Ettington Park is a luxury, 4-star Victorian mansion, dating from the 1850s with fantastic Gothic details. It is set within 40 acres of lush parkland with the River Stour running through. Ettington was the historic home of the Shirley family, whose ownership dates from the time of the Domesday Book but the house, as we see it today, was remodelled between 1858 and 1862 for Evelyn Shirley.
The hotel now offers stylishly furnished rooms, award-winning dining, a steam room and an indoor swimming pool. The grounds are lovely to wander through and guests can visit the ruins of the former Church of Holy Trinity which is situated overlooking the hotel.
NB: Some rooms are accessed via a staircase. Assistance with your luggage will be provided.
| Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) | Single Supplement (for single occupancy of a double room) |
| £5,350 (GBP) | £400 (GBP) |
PRICES INCLUDE:
- 5 nights’ accommodation at a 4-star country house hotel with en-suite facilities.
- Breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 4 dinners.
- Assistance with luggage at the hotel.
- All garden visits including tours with garden owners and head gardeners.
- Deluxe coach travel with professional driver.
- Transfers to and from the hotel and Heathrow Airport at the start and end of the tour.
- 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.
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.
BOOK NOWHOW TO PAY
There are three ways to pay for your tour and you will be asked on the booking form which you prefer:
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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
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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.
