Great English Gardens with Chelsea Flower Show − Tour 2
NB: Great English Gardens Tour 1 and Tour 2 feature identical hotels and garden visits but in a different order.
Visit the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show on members-only day, the Royal Horticultural Society’s garden at Wisley, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and the majestic Hampton Court Palace. We also spend four days in Kent, exploring some of England’s most iconic gardens including Great Dixter, Sissinghurst Castle and Leeds Castle.
- Members-only day at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
- Pre-opening visits to Great Dixter and the iconic Sissinghurst Castle Garden.
- Private tour of Leeds Castle.
- Meet the owner at Long Barn – former home of Vita Sackville-West.
- Tour of RHS Wisley with private lunch.
- Explore the majesty of the Royal Palace of Hampton Court.
- Guided tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Private cruise along the River Thames.
Photo credits: Hampton Court Palace ©VisitBritain; Long Barn & Great Dixter ©Claire Takacs; Chelsea Flower Show & Wisley ©RHS; Fairlight End ©Robin Hutt; Royal Botanic Gardens Kew ©Kew; ©Leeds Castle; other images ©Sisley Garden Tours.
We meet at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel and depart mid-morning for the short journey to the 4-star Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court.
We drop off our bags and stroll across to Hampton Court Palace. Discover the world of King Henry VIII and his Tudor Court and the vast formal gardens that extend over 60 acres. There is free time for lunch (independent).
In the afternoon we return to the hotel to check in and have dinner (included).
Sunday 18th May
This morning we enjoy a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. On arrival we will have a guided tour of the extensive gardens which have been designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is then free time to further explore and have lunch (independent).
In the late afternoon, we take a private cruise along the River Thames back to our hotel. We will enjoy a traditional English Afternoon Tea on board (included).
Monday 19th May
Today 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 any season, followed by lunch (included) in the Tulip Room.
We return to the hotel in the afternoon where your evening is at leisure. Dinner independent.
Tuesday 20th May
After check out, we 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).
Later, we travel to Kent and check in to the 4-star Chilston Park Hotel. Dinner is in the hotel (included).
Wednesday 21st May
This morning we enjoy a pre-opening tour of the medieval, moated Leeds Castle, said to be ‘the loveliest castle in the world’. There is then time to further explore the magnificent castle and its extensive gardens before having lunch in the Castle View Restaurant (included).
In the afternoon we visit a wonderful 2-acre private garden that has been created from scratch by the owners over the last 35 years. We then return to the hotel where your evening is at leisure (dinner independent).
Thursday 22nd May
Our first visit today is a pre-opening guided tour of Great Dixter House and Garden, a cottage garden on a grand scale developed by the late Christopher Lloyd. The gardens are now curated by internationally renowned gardener, Fergus Garrett.
We then make a stop in the delightful medieval town of Rye, where there is time to explore and have lunch (independent). In the afternoon we visit the private garden of Fairlight End. This scenic garden integrates the countryside and garden landscape with contemporary features.
En-route back to the hotel, we stop at Chapel Down Vineyard for dinner in their stylish pub (included).
Friday 23rd May
We begin the day with a pre-opening visit to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, a romantic garden created around a slender brick-built castle tower. Its designer Vita Sackville-West’s own words describe the garden perfectly: “Profusion, even extravagance and exuberance within the confines of the utmost linear severity”. There is time here for lunch (independent).
In the afternoon, we visit a small, but fascinating private garden. We meet the artistic owner who has created this garden during the last 30 years. We enjoy our final night’s dinner in the hotel (included).
Saturday 24th May
After check-out, our last visit is to Great Comp Garden, 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. There is time for lunch (independent).
After lunch, we make our final visit 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. 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 or Elizabeth Line 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. This tour can easily be combined with our Garden Gems of Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly tour.
Please read our Tour Joining and Departure Arrangements information sheet here. To download a printable version of this itinerary, click here.
Our hotels are 4-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are ensuite and offer free wifi access.
The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court (3 nights)
Overlooking the River Thames, and built around the same time as Hampton Court Palace, this delightful 4-star hotel is refined, yet relaxed. It has recently undergone a complete refurbishment and the rooms are eclectic and stylish. The riverside bar, restaurant and terrace have spectacular views over the river and Hampton Court Palace is located just a few paces from the front door of the hotel.
Chilston Park Hotel, Kent (4 nights)
Over the years Chilston Park Hotel has been home to eminent politicians, writers, lords and viscounts and today it is renowned as one of the best hotels in Kent. It is a classic British country house hotel housed in a 17th century manor house with attractive décor, antiques and 22 acres of beautiful grounds to explore. The restaurant has gained 2 AA Rosettes for its delicious seasonal, local food.
| Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) | Single Supplement (for single occupancy of a double room) |
| £5,350 (GBP) | £695 (GBP) |
PRICES INCLUDE:
- 7 nights’ accommodation at 4-star hotels with ensuite facilities.
- Breakfast daily, 2 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.
- Transfer to/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 deposit which secures your booking.
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