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UK, EUROPEAN & WORLDWIDE GARDEN HOLIDAYS 2016/2017
Proudly operated by
UK,
EUROPEAN
& WORLDWIDE
GARDEN
HOLIDAYS
A warm welcome to our brand new
RHS Garden Holidays brochure,
featuring a unique collection of UK,
European and Worldwide holidays
created especially for garden lovers.
This is the first time we have
combined these destinations in
one brochure and I’m sure
you’ll agree, the choice is very
tempting! We have worked
closely on creating all the tours
with garden holiday specialists
Brightwater Holidays, as well as
drawing on the expertise of RHS
staff and Committee members
from curators and gardeners to
our advisory and science teams.
The result is a collection of
exciting garden holidays, all
individually developed to
showcase each destination
through its horticulture, in the
widest sense of the word. From
Carl Linnaeus’ research garden
in Uppsala to Lady Walton’s
Proudly operated by
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visit rhsgardenholidays.com To obtain a full day-by-day itinerary of all our tours please see back cover for contact details
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
garden on the island of Ischia
and Beverley McConnell’s
Ayrlies Garden in New Zealand,
we want to celebrate
inspirational and pioneering
gardeners and horticulturalists
who changed the face of
gardening through their
personal vision and
determination.
Itineraries encompass private
gardens and garden festivals,
wild landscapes and national
parks as well as vineyards,
nurseries and charitable
projects. You can expect to
meet Curators, Head Gardeners
and the owners of private
gardens where available.
Additionally, RHS hosts will
accompany many of the tours
giving you the opportunity to
benefit from their insight as
well as get answers to your
personal gardening questions.
Our European tours include
Italy, France, Spain, Portugal
and Sweden and feature
renowned, lesser known
classical gardens and botanical
gardens, while our worldwide
tours offer the chance to
experience the magnificent
flora of the Fynbos on our
‘Gardens and Wildflowers of
South Africa’s Western Cape’
tour; undertake a botanical
adventure in Chile or visit the
beautiful spice island of Sri
Lanka – a personal favourite of
mine. There are also some
fabulous tours to New Zealand
and Japan.
Closer to home, there is a rich
choice of itineraries. Some
encompass the RHS’s world
famous flower shows and
gardens such as RHS Garden
Wisley, as well as classics such
as Highgrove and Tresco’s
Abbey Gardens. We have also
created a special ‘Capability’
Brown tour to mark the
tricentenary of the birth of this
prolific and influential
landscape gardener, which sits
alongside the popular ‘Legacy
of Gertrude Jekyll’ tour.
With such rich inspiration, we
hope that you find a tour that
Call today on 01334 657155 UK, European & Worldwide Garden Holidays
appeals to you and look forward
to welcoming you on one of our
RHS Garden Holidays very soon.
If you need any further
incentive, remember that a
contribution from every booking
goes towards supporting the
charitable work of the RHS,
from the Campaign for School
Gardening to our invaluable
scientific research.
With warm wishes and happy
travels,
Sue Biggs
RHS Director General
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What makes RHS
garden holidays
different?
Wherever possible, RHS holidays offer exclusive access,
private openings and a welcome from the garden owner or
curator. All of our holidays will be led by one of our
experienced tour managers, who make the tours come alive.
In addition, on certain overseas departures there will be an
RHS host with expert horticultural knowledge, some of whom
feature below, who will be on hand to answer your personal
gardening queries. Our hosts come from across the RHS and
include gardeners, botanists, plant committee members and
horticultural journalists.
With a group size limited to a maximum of 28 passengers we
hope that your every wish will be catered for. Tours with RHS
hosts are indicated on each tour package and more will be
announced in due course on the RHS website.
Sabatino Urzo
Sabatino comes from a farming family
where his passion for gardening started
at a very young age. Following
university he trained at the Botanic
Gardens of Kew and Edinburgh and has
been at RHS Wisley since 2010, where
he is currently involved in trials.
Dawn Edwards
Dawn trained in botany at the
University of Reading and for her PhD
spent six months in South Africa,
fulfilling her childhood desire to study
plants. She started work as a botanist
at RHS Wisley in 2006 with a focus on
horticultural taxonomy.
Departure points
& further
information
For our far away destinations all groups will assemble at
Heathrow Airport in time to comfortably check in for the
outbound flight. Our European packages will include a flight
from a London airport however since many regional airports
offer good connections using the low-cost airlines there may
well be a more convenient departure point at an airport
closer to your home – do ask for details and confirmation of
any applicable supplement. The same applies to our UK and
Irish holidays if, for example, you would like to participate in
one of our Scottish tours and you live in the south of England
or vice versa, do ask us to quote for connecting travel, either
by rail or air. Remember it is your holiday, so why not treat
yourself to a first class upgrade?
Pick-up points and approximate departure times for every
holiday are detailed in our full day-by-day itineraries,
available on request by contacting our office on 01334
657155 or by download from our website
www.rhsgardenholidays.com
As a guideline – tours heading west from London commence
in central London (Westminster) and pick up in Reading,
Swindon and Bristol.
Tours heading north from London commence in central
London (Westminster) and usually pick up in Luton (Parkway),
Northampton and Birmingham.
Scottish Holidays pick up from Dundee, Perth, Kinross,
Dunfermline, Edinburgh (Marriott Hotel) and Glasgow.
Occasionally Montrose, Arbroath and Aberdeen are available
depending on coach routing – check with our Reservations
Department or ask for the detailed day-by-day itinerary.
Enrico Mailli
Enrico has always had a love of nature
but only turned to professional
horticulture in 2004. Along with his
great passion for plants, he is very keen
on garden history, design, art and
architecture. He joined the staff at RHS
Wisley in 2013.
Mike Grant
Mike is editor of The Plantsman and
was a senior botanist at RHS Wisley for
10 years. He is looking forward to
returning to the spectacular Terra
Nostra Garden on the Azores, with its
lush green landscapes and diversity of
plants.
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Evelyn at Brightwater HQ
Start your
holiday a day
early or extend
your stay
If the transfer to your chosen pick-up point is tight on
time, why not consider adding an extra night either
before or after your holiday? From as little as £55pp
we can offer bed and breakfast accommodation in
hotels convenient to all our departure points – why
not ask us to arrange this on your behalf?
For travellers from outside the United Kingdom we are
happy to help with arrangements should you require
additional accommodation and transport services – it
may be possible to combine two tours together to
offer a longer gardening holiday – please ask for
details.
RHS Membership offer
Every booking qualifies for a reduced RHS membership rate of 12 months for the price of 9.
Membership benefits include:
I Enjoy more than 150 great family days out for free at RHS gardens and
Partner Gardens
I Get priority on RHS Show tickets
I A monthly copy of the RHS magazine, The Garden
I Free, personalised garden advice just for you from the RHS – by phone, email or in person
For full details of this membership offer contact RHS Membership on 020 3176 5820, quoting
your special offer code.
Peace of mind when you book
ATOL
ABTOT
AITO
All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in
this brochure are financially protected by the
ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be
supplied with an ATOL certificate. Please ask for
it and check to ensure that everything booked
(flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it.
Please see our booking conditions on our
website www.brightwaterholidays.com/booking
conditions for further information or for more
information about financial protection and the
ATOL Certificate go to:
www.atol.org.uk/ATOL
Certificate
As a member of the Association of Bonded
Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), an
Association approved by the Department of
Trade and Industry, Brightwater Holidays Ltd
has provided a Bond to meet the requirements
of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and
Package Tours Regulations 1992 in respect of
non-flight inclusive packages.
The Association of Independent Tour
Operators represents Britain’s leading
independent tour operators and encourages
high standards of quality and service.
Brightwater Holidays abides by the
Association's code of conduct and adheres to
the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed
at www.aito.com
5020
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RHS
Garden Holiday Collection
Protea at Cape Point
6
Overseas Garden Holidays
7
UK and Irish Garden Holidays
21
Gardens of the French Riviera
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Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
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Architecture and Gardens of Andalucia
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Gardens of Devon and Cornwall
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Naples and the Gardens of the Amalfi Coast
10
The Legacy of Gertrude Jekyll
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Villas & Gardens of the Italian Lakes
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The Landscape Gardens of Capability Brown
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Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo
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Highgrove and the Gardens of the Cotswolds
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Gardens of the Loire including the Chaumont Garden Festival
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Malvern Flower Show and the Gardens of Herefordshire
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Gardens of Lisbon and the Azores
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RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Classic English Gardens
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Sweden and Gotland: the Legacy of Carl Linnaeus
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Gardens of Cheshire and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park
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Seasonal Gardens of Japan
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Gardens of North Wales
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Gardens and Wildflowers of South Africa’s Western Cape
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Gardens of West Wales
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Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean
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In an Irish Garden
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Gardens of New Zealand including Singapore
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Scotland’s West Coast Gardens
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Chile: A Botanical Adventure
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Gardens of the Far North
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Overseas
garden holidays
A peaceful reflection comes into view
as you are escorted through the cool
rooms of the Alhambra; outside the
heat shimmers. The blur of a halcyon
bird darts from tree to tree in
Kirstenbosch and a strange and
rather large furry animal stops the
coach in its tracks and will not budge
in one of Chile’s National Parks.
Anything can happen on an RHS
worldwide garden tour and
frequently it does, but mostly it is
about plants and flowers, from wild
flora in stunning natural settings to
cultivated flowers in sublime gardens.
Kirstenbosch
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Gardens of the
French Riviera
The Menton Lemon Festival, one of
the largest and most colourful events
on the south coast of France, is a
wonderful tonic at the start of the
gardening year.
Elaborate floats and imaginative sculptures in
dazzling shades of orange and yellow are
paraded through the Promenade du Soleil in
Menton, bringing huge bursts of colour and a
lemony zest to the early spring, with a carnival
spirit and joie de vivre that is typically French.
In addition to a full day of fruity fun in
Menton, we visit some of the finest gardens
that were created here in this sun-kissed
playground of the rich in the 19th century.
Clos du Peyronnet, also in Menton, is a private
garden reflecting the passion of its owner who
takes full advantage of the climate to nurture
exotic plants, South African bulbs being a
speciality. At St Jean Cap Ferrat we visit the
exquisite gardens of the Fondation Ephrussi
de Rothschild which contain many interesting
plants and are surrounded by marvellous sea
views. We shall also visit Jardin Exotique d’Èze,
which offers the chance to discover exotic
plants and the history and traditions of the
village of Èze. Just over the border in Italy are
the incomparable Hanbury Gardens, arguably
the greatest of all the Riviera gardens, in the
richness of their collection and the
unforgettable power of their presence.
Menton
Our final day takes in visits to Villa Thuret at
Cap d’Antibes, Château de Gourdon and
Fondation Maeght, one of France’s foremost
centres for contemporary art.
On our May departure, the Menton Lemon
Festival is replaced with a visit to the
International Rose Festival in the pretty hill
town of Grasse, a truly magical event filled
with colour and fragrance, and the celebrated
private botanical garden of Les Cèdres.
Exotic Gardens of Monte Carlo
Departures
Feb 18, 25, May 5, 2016
Five nights from £1,175pp
Single room supplement £325
What’s included
I Five nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star
Hotel Grimaldi, Nice
I Dinner and welcome drink on first evening
I Return scheduled flights between London and
Nice (other airports on request)
I Visits to the gardens of Clos du Peyronnet,
Jardin Exotique d’Èze, Fondation Ephrussi de
Rothschild, Exotic Gardens of Monte Carlo and
Hanbury Gardens (La Mortola), visits to
Château de Gourdon, Villa Thuret and
Fondation Maeght
I Visit to the Menton Lemon Festival including a
grandstand seat (replaced with a visit to the
Grasse Rose Festival and Les Cèdres in May)
I Services of a professional tour manager
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Villa Rothschild
Alhambra reflections
Architecture and Gardens
of Andalucia
Andalucia is unrivalled in Europe for its wealth of history, culture, Moorish
architecture and gardens, all set against the backdrop of the snowcapped
mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Visit the classical gardens which complement
the adjoining palaces and churches perfectly and discover the wild mountain
landscapes.
More famous for its busy, popular coastline,
Andalucia has a wonderful hinterland
scattered with exotic palaces and gardens left
behind by the Moors, the most famous of
which are the Alhambra and the Generalife.
On a tree covered slope it commands
exceptional views down towards the old city,
the Albaicin, and the great snow-fringed
mountain range of the Sierra Nevada.
Indeed, in addition to a full day in Granada
we will enjoy a day out from the heat and
hubbub of the city as we tour these highly
scenic mountains.
Moving on to Córdoba we will visit the Great
Mosque, one of the most ancient continuously
gardened sites in the world, and the Alcázar
de los Reyes Cristianos with its characteristic
terraced pools.
Our tour then takes us to the beautiful city of
Seville, where we visit the Cathedral and the
Orange Tree Courtyard that belonged to the
old mosque; the amazing Royal Palaces of the
Alcázar; the Patio de la Yesería, the Old Jewish
Quarter of Santa Cruz and some of its
beautiful courtyards; the Maria-Luisa Park, the
Plaza de España and the Gardens of Murillo.
There is also a free day here, an opportunity
perhaps to enjoy some ‘tapas’ in a local bar,
attend a spectacular Flamenco show or take a
gentle cruise along the Guadalquivir river,
which once shimmered with gold and silver
from the Americas.
We conclude in the dramatically situated town
of Ronda, with visits to the Alameda del Tajo
Gardens and the old Palace of the Moorish
King, set high on a cliff on the edge of a
spectacular gorge, with stunning views all
around.
Departures
Departures
Apr 5, May 11, Sep 20, 2016
Seven nights from £1,245pp
Flight supplements: Manchester £50, Glasgow £85
What’sincluded
included
What’s
I Seven nights’ accommodation on a bed and
breakfast basis: three nights at the four-star
Senator Granada Spa Hotel, Granada; three
nights at the four-star Tryp Macarena Hotel,
Seville; one night at the four-star Hotel
Maestranza, Ronda
I Return flights from Luton or London Gatwick to
Málaga. Manchester and Glasgow are available
at a supplement (other airports on request)
I Visits to Alhambra Palace, Great Mosque and
Royal Palaces (Córdoba), Cathedral, Alcázar,
Maria Luisa Park and Gardens of Murillo
(Seville), Alameda del Tajo Gardens (Ronda)
I Services of Michael Gill as tour manager
On our May departure we have the added
bonus of a visit to the Patio Festival in
Córdoba, a highly colourful local event.
As we all know it can get unbearably hot in
the high summer months, so our departure
dates should be at a time when the climate is
at its most comfortable for enjoying a
fascinating collection of gardens and
architecture.
Córdoba patio
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Naples and the
Gardens of the
Amalfi Coast
Southern Italy has a beautifully
warm climate which, combined with
a rich and fertile soil, is ideally suited
not only to olives, oranges and
lemons but to a wide range of tender
exotics. This has led to the creation
of some fantastic gardens, the best
of which we will explore on this tour.
We will be based in Ravello on the Amalfi
coast for the first three nights where we will
visit the Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone. These
are the classic Amalfi gardens laid out in
terraces where umbrella pines and cypresses
shade classical geometric beds edged with
box and filled with modern flowers. The site of
Villa Cimbrone on a clifftop promontory
overlooking the sea is beyond compare. We
will also include a free day where you can
relax or join our optional tour to Pompeii and
Herculaneum.
The largest island in the Bay of Naples is
Ischia and here we will visit La Mortella, a
dazzling garden of lush exotics and tender
trees, which was created by Susana, wife of
the composer William Walton. Umbrella pines,
groves of ilex and arbutus, Italian cypresses
and myrtles thrive here in glorious
companionship – simply a wonderful garden
and a wonderful day.
Ravello
We then move to the pulsating port of Naples
itself where we enjoy a tour of the historic
botanical gardens and view Caravaggio’s
great painting at the church Pio Monte della
Misericordia.
We will also visit a local family-run vineyard
and travel out to the north of the city to spend
a day at the impressive palace and gardens of
La Caserta. This huge palace, with equally
grand and impressive gardens, was
constructed for the Bourbon Kings of Naples
and on completion in the 18th century it was
the largest royal residence in the world.
Bay of Naples
Departures
Apr 12, Sep 26, 2016
Six nights from £1,595pp
What’s included
I Six nights’ bed and breakfast: three nights at
the four-star Hotel Graal, Ravello and three
nights at the four-star Hotel Santa Lucia, Naples
I Dinner and welcome drink on first evening plus
one lunch
I Flights from London to Naples (other airports
on request)
I Exclusive guided tour of the University of
Naples Botanic Gardens
RHS host: Sabatino Urzo (Apr)
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I Visits to the gardens of Villa Rufolo, Villa
Cimbrone and La Mortella; the Palace of La
Caserta, the Museum of Pio Monte della
Misericordia and the Vigna Mirabella
Caserta
La
Caption
Villa Carlotta
Villas & Gardens of the Italian Lakes
The fabulous scenery and benign climate of the northern Italian lakes have
attracted aristocrats and the wealthy for years, and today their elegant villas
and lush gardens perfectly complement the natural landscape.
Departures
Apr 3, May 8, Jun 12, Sep 2, 2016
Jun and Sep supplement £50
What’s included
From our bases on the Gulf of Borromeo on
Lake Maggiore and at the foot of Lake Como
we will explore a succession of villas and their
gardens, all set against the breathtaking
backdrop of snow-capped mountains and
glittering water.
shaded woodland walks, flowered terraces and
elegant statuary. Other highlights during our
stay on Lake Maggiore include a fascinating
wholesale specialist plant nursery, Villa Taranto
and other gardens around Locarno over the
border in Switzerland.
We begin with a real treat as we visit the
private garden of the President of the Italian
Camellia Society, which is home to a
remarkable collection of over 500 plants.
On Lake Como we will have a private tour with
the owner of Villa Cicogna Mozzoni. Azaleas
and rhododendrons will put on a dazzling
display at Villa Carlotta while the manicured
Villa Balbianello, whose garden is impeccably
maintained, will be an undoubted highlight.
Nowhere captures the extravagant spirit of the
lakeland gardens better than the three
Borromean islands, Bella, Madre and Pescatori,
which feature sumptuous terraced gardens,
In addition we enjoy a free day to relax and
shop in Como town, or visit Villa Melzi d’Eril.
Villa Melzi
I Four nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at a
four-star hotel on Lake Maggiore; three nights’
dinner, bed and breakfast at a four-star hotel on
Lake Como
I Flights from London to Milan (other airports on
request)
I Exclusive visit to the private garden of the
President of the Italian Camellia Society
I Visits to Isolas Bella, Madre and Pescatori and
the gardens of the villas Taranto, Cicogna
Mozzoni, Carlotta and Balbianello, private
gardens and a local plant wholesaler
I Services of Kate Williamson as tour manager
RHS host: Enrico Mailli (Sep)
Spring Camellia
11
Ninfa
Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo
Open by special arrangement, we are delighted to offer this rare opportunity to
visit the ancient and beautiful gardens of Ninfa. Equally rare is the opportunity
to follow in the footsteps of the Popes as we visit the gardens of Castel
Gandolfo, the traditional papal residence just outside Rome.
The romantic flower-covered ruins at Ninfa,
just to the south of Rome, are as close to
gardening perfection as you can get. Scented
roses, hydrangeas and jasmines curtain what
remains of the walls of medieval buildings and
paths meander beside a crystal-clear river.
Castel Gandolfo is the papal residence to the
south of Rome, whose gardens Pope Francis
only recently ordered should be opened to the
public. The view from the balcony overlooking
the Giardino del Belvedere, with its strict
geometric parterres, edged by towering
Villa d’Este
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cypresses and umbrella pines, is a sight that
will stay long in the memory.
The Villa Lante is a study in geometry and
symmetry dating back to the 16th century,
with many water features including a huge,
balustraded water fountain which is a superb
example of late Renaissance style. The 16th
century gardens at Villa D’Este, romantically
overgrown with tall pines, evergreen oaks and
cedars, are renowned for their use of water
and the garden seems to be full of sparkling
spray.
Departures
Departures
May 10, Jun 7, Sep 6, 2016
Three nights from £1,195pp
What’s
What’sincluded
included
I Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star
centrally located Hotel Michelangelo, Rome
I Flights from London Heathrow to Rome (other
airports on request)
I Visits to the gardens of Ninfa, Castel Gandolfo,
Villa d’Este and Villa Lante; guided tour of
Viterbo
Gandolfo
Gardens of the
Loire including
the Chaumont
Garden Festival
Travelling through the tranquil and
timeless landscape of the Loire Valley,
one magnificent château after
another appears before you, each
one apparently striving to outdo the
other for romantic atmosphere or
dramatic situation.
Nowhere is this serenity more evident than
among the immaculately maintained terraces
of the Château de Villandry, a faithful
recreation of a 16th century Renaissance
garden and quite breathtaking in its complexity.
From our comfortable hotel in Angers, we will
visit some of the notable gardens in the region,
including the intimate but well stocked Jardin
du Petit-Bordeaux; the delightful gardens and
micro-vineyard hidden within the massive walls
of the Château d’Angers and the charming
private garden of Plessis Sasnières, where we
will have a guided tour with the owner followed
by afternoon tea. At the Château de Valmer we
will enjoy not just a tour of the gardens but a
taste of their own wine, with further wine
tastings in and around Saumur.
Villandry
Moving on to Tours, we will visit the prestigious
International Garden Festival at Chaumont, set
in an idyllic location in the grounds of the
château, overlooking the Loire, where young
landscape architects present a range of
imaginative and thought-provoking gardens.
The Château d’Amboise, which has arguably
the most spectacular location of all the Loire
châteaux, and the Château du Clos Lucé, which
celebrates the life and works of genius botanist,
engineer and artist Leonardo da Vinci, complete
a wonderful tour.
Taking the strain out of the journey, we travel
by Eurostar and TGV from London St Pancras to
Angers and back from Tours, a chance to sit
back and relax as the French countryside
flashes by.
Amboise
Departures
Jun 14, Jul 5, Oct 4, 2016
Six nights from £1,295pp
What’s included
I Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star
Hotel de France, Angers; three nights’ bed and
breakfast at the four-star L’Univers Hotel, Tours
I Standard class rail travel from London to Angers
and from Tours to London (upgrades available)
I Guided tour with the owner of Plessis Sasnières
I Visits to the gardens of Petit-Bordeaux, Château
d’Angers, Château de Villandry, Plessis Sasnières,
Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, Château de
Valmer, Château d’Amboise, Château du Clos
Lucé and the International Garden Festival at
Chaumont; cellar tour and wine tasting in
Saumur
Caption Garden Festival
Chaumont
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Gardens of Lisbon
and the Azores
Portugal’s warm and sunny climate,
tempered by rain from the Atlantic,
has long been appreciated by
gardeners in the region, while the
Azores archipelago, a thousand
nautical miles from anywhere,
benefits from volcanic soil. The
verdant hills, enchanting lakes and
stunning gardens have a tranquil
and timeless atmosphere.
Our tour starts with three nights in Lisbon,
from where we will explore some of mainland
Portugal’s finest gardens. Quinta da Bacalhoa
is a classic renaissance garden that once
belonged to the great mariner and viceroy of
India, Afonso de Albuquerque. His stylish villa
on a peninsula south of Lisbon and the private
gardens of Quinta das Torres in Setubal make
for a wonderful introduction to Portuguese
gardening style.
Sintra
The lush wooded heights of Sintra are home
to two fine gardens. Quinta de Monserrate is
an English-influenced park dating back to the
late eighteenth century. Later additions of
Mexican and Japanese gardens enhance our
visit. The UNESCO World Heritage site of
Quinta da Regaleira is on the grand scale with
gardens containing fountains, terraces, lakes
and grottoes resembling something from the
Harry Potter stories.
From Lisbon we will fly to São Miguel in the
Azores and commence our garden visits at the
José do Canto Garden and the Garden and
Palacio de Sant’Ana before relaxing in our
comfortable hotel, the Royal Garden in Ponta
Delgada.
Lake Sete Cidades, Azores
Departures
Apr 23, Jun 4, Aug 20, 2016
What’s included
I Seven nights’ bed and breakfast: three nights at
the five-star Altis Grand Hotel in Lisbon; four
nights at the four-star Hotel Royal Garden in
Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores
Over the next two days we have included visits
to the best gardens and most interesting
sights in the Azores, undoubted highlights
being the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden and
the António Borges Garden. As we tour
around the island we will enjoy stunning
scenery with hot springs, tea plantations and
basalt architecture. The waters around the
Azores are world-renowned for observing
whales, which we will spend a morning doing.
In addition we will have some free time for
independent sightseeing and shopping.
Post-tour extensions to other Azorean islands
are available on request.
I Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, two
lunches and farewell dinner
I Flights from London to Lisbon, Lisbon to the
Azores and the Azores back to London (other
RHS host: John Hughes (Aug)
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I Visits to the Quintas da Bacalhoa, das Torres, de
Monserrate and da Regaleira; the gardens of
José do Canto; Palacio de Sant’Ana, Terra
Nostra and António Borges; whale watching
boat trip
Caption
Quinta da Bacalhoa
Uppsala University Botanical Gardens
Sweden and Gotland:
the Legacy of Carl Linnaeus
Botanist Carl Linnaeus is the inspiration and guiding hand behind this
fascinating tour, featuring lakes and gardens in southern Sweden and the
wildflowers and seascapes of the Baltic island of Gotland.
We begin on the Swedish mainland, touring
historic locations with direct Linnaeus
connections in and around Uppsala, including
the Linnaeus Garden and Museum and his
summer estate at Hammarby. We continue to
the fine open-air museum at Julita Manor and
explore the beautiful Lakeland area, in
particular Lake Vättern, whose beautiful
shores are flanked by dense woodland, in
places carpeted with the elusive twin-flower
(Linnaea borealis), named after the great
man himself.
A ferry takes us across the Baltic Sea to the
island of Gotland, to which Linnaeus led an
expedition in 1741. Here we will enjoy some
excellent botanising opportunities and can
expect to see plants such as Globularia
(Globularia vulgaris), the local pasque flower
(Pulsatilla pratensis) and many of Gotland's 36
species of orchid, including Military Orchid
(Orchis militaris), Adam & Eve Orchid
(Dactylorhiza sambucina) and Bird's Nest
Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis). We will also explore
the historic port of Visby and visit the studio of
world renowned bird artist Lars Jonsson.
Departures
Departures
Jun 7, 2016
Nine nights from £2,295pp
What’s
What’sincluded
included
I Nine nights’ accommodation on a bed and
breakfast basis: two nights Uppsala, one night
Vadstena, one night Oskarshamn, four nights
Visby (Gotland) and one night Stockholm
I Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, six
additional dinners and two lunches
I Return flights from London to Stockholm (other
I Return ferry crossings from the Swedish
mainland to Gotland
I Visits to Linnaeus Garden and Museum,
Hammarby, Uppsala University Botanical
Gardens, Dream Park Enköping, Lake Vättern,
Lars Jonsson’s studio; botanising tours of
northern and southern Gotland
RHS host: Neil Lancaster
Lady’s slipper orchid
Linnaeus
15
Mount Fuji and Chureito Pagoda
Seasonal Gardens of Japan
There is something uniquely fascinating about Japan, with its mixture of
modernity and antiquity and, of course, the serenity and perfection of its
gardens. Gardens and nature hold a key place in Japanese culture which we will
explore along with temples and the more modern aspects of life in Japan. This
tour aims to provide a rounded introduction to this truly fascinating country.
Many of the most notable gardens are in and
around Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, and
we will have three full days exploring both
public and private gardens here. We have
included a variety of different styles: landscape
gardens, stroll gardens, pond-and-island, each
with its own particular charm and beauty. One
of the best known is Kinkaku-ji, with the three
tiered Golden Pavilion at its heart.
From Kyoto we travel by Bullet Train to Tokyo,
where there will be further garden visits. There
is, however, so much more to Japan than
gardens and we have also included a wide
range of other visits and excursions reflecting
the unique culture of the country. Highlights
include the historic town of Omi Hachiman,
the Imperial Palace Garden in Tokyo and a
cruise on Lake Ashi, beneath the snow–capped
peak of Mount Fuji.
We also offer an optional excursion to
Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park and a
day to nearby Hakone National Park.
Departures
Departures
Oct 25, 2016
12 nights from £4,195pp
What’s
What’sincluded
included
I Six nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star
ANA Hotel, Kyoto and five nights’ bed and
breakfast at the five-star Prince Park Tower
Hotel, Tokyo
I Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, one
lunch and farewell dinner
I Flight from London Heathrow to Osaka,
returning from Tokyo (regional flight
connections and flight upgrades available at a
supplement)
I Transfer by Bullet Train from Kyoto to Tokyo
I Visits to a wide selection of gardens in Kyoto,
Nara and Tokyo; full day excursions to Shiga,
including Lake Biwa-ko; Mount Fuji including
cruise on Lake Ashi; Kamakura, including the
Great Buddha and Hase Temple
Our final full day is in Kamakura, which
includes a visit to the Great Buddha and Hase
Temple and is rounded off with a farewell
Japanese-style dinner at a local restaurant.
This is a wonderfully balanced escorted tour,
ideal for the first time visitor to Japan. An
exhilarating sequence of visits, all set against
the dazzling backdrop of autumn foliage,
provides an unforgettable experience and the
uniqueness of the Japanese culture will stay
with you forever.
Japanese garden style
16
Geisha
Babylonstoren Garden
Gardens and Wildflowers of
South Africa’s Western Cape
South Africa is world renowned for its stunning scenery, cultural diversity, rich
variety of wildlife and in particular its indigenous flora. Our tour is at a time when
the wildflowers should be putting on a dazzling spring display and we will also
enjoy a mixture of famous and private gardens, estates and vineyards.
Fly from London to Cape Town where we will
be based for the first three nights. Here we will
enjoy a cable car to the top of Table Mountain,
whose flora encompasses some 1470 species
including South Africa’s national flower, the
Protea. We will have a full day at Kirstenbosch
Botanical Gardens, truly one of the world’s top
gardens, where we will have an exclusive
guided tour. We continue with a visit to the
Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve where we
should see an array of wild flowers.
We then begin our tour around the Western
Cape by travelling north to the small town of
Clanwilliam in time to visit the annual Flower
Show. (The later departure date will coincide
with the Darling Flower Show). We will also be
guided through the wildflower lands of
Cederberg, Niewoudtville and the Biedouw
Valley.
Our journey continues through the lesser
known West Coast National Park and the small
town of Darling. Wildflowers, wild birds,
stunning scenery and wine tastings – all that is
good about the Western Cape is there to be
enjoyed.
At Karoo National Botanical Gardens we will
enjoy its wide variety of desert and semi desert
plants along with its large succulent collection.
We will then wind our way at a relaxing pace
via a most interesting charitable project at
Flower Valley and thence to Hermanus and the
coast once more. Here we should be in perfect
time to see the spectacle of the Southern Right
Whale migration.
Wildflowers, Darling
Our tour finishes on a high with a string of
wonderful gardens around the Stellenbosch
area including the Harold Porter Botanical
Garden, Vergelegen, Helderberg, Arderne and
the stunning Babylonstoren.
Departures
Departures
Aug 25, Sep 11, 2016
What’s
What’sincluded
included
I 13 nights’ accommodation on a bed and
breakfast basis: three nights at the Cape Town
Hollow Hotel; two nights at the Piekenierskloof
Resort; one night at the Buffelsfontein Game
Reserve; two nights at the Cumberland Hotel,
Worcester; two nights at the Windsor Hotel,
Hermanus; three nights at the Stellenbosch
Hotel (or similar)
I Dinner and welcome drink on the first evening
plus three additional dinners
I Scheduled return flights from London Heathrow
to Cape Town (regional flight connections and
flight upgrades available at a supplement)
I Exclusive guided tour of Kirstenbosch
I Visits to Table Mountain, the Cape of Good
Hope Nature Reserve, Clanwilliam Flower
Show/Darling Flower Show, wine tastings and
wildflower botanising, private garden visits of
Klein Openhorst, Karoo Botanic Gardens, Harold
Porter, Vergelegen, Babylonstoren and Arderne
Gardens; whale watching boat trip
RHS host: Dawn Edwards (Aug)
Vergelegen
17
Sri Lanka:
the Pearl of the
Indian Ocean
Like a pearl earring set in the Indian
Ocean, Sri Lanka is a perfect jewel of
an island, with a wonderfully warm
climate and a rich and varied culture.
Sri Lanka is also home to lush
vegetation, colourful flora, amazing
wildlife and a stunning collection of
gardens.
Our itinerary has been designed to lead you
through the horticultural highlights of this
beautiful island. Asides from growing some of
the world’s best tea, Sri Lanka has varied
national parks, spice gardens and rich public
and private gardens to discover. Combined
with some of the cultural highlights and
relaxed way of life, it should be as refreshing
as a cup of finest Ceylon tea.
We begin in Kandy where we visit a spice
garden and the splendid Royal Botanical
Gardens of Peradeniya, both of which will give
us an insight into the spectacular flora that
thrives here. We then move into the cooler hill
country and from our base in the old colonial
town of Nuwara Eliya we will visit the garden
at Hakgala – smaller than Peradeniya but with
a different, upland flora – and tour the
outstanding nature reserve at Horton Plains.
Tea Plantation, near Nuwara Eliya
Another fine reserve awaits us at the Yala
National Park where a convoy of jeeps will
take us on safari, featuring elephants, bears
and monkeys, tropical birds and fragile
butterflies. A couple of days on the beach, in
the south west near Galle, follows along with
visits to Bevis Bawa’s famous Brief Gardens
and Lunuganga Estate.
Kandy
Departures
Oct 13, 2016
What’s included
I 11 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation:
one night at the Jetwing Beach Hotel, Negombo;
two nights at the Ozo Hotel, Kandy; two nights at
the Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya; one night at the
Cinnamon Wild Hotel, Yala; two nights at the
Jetwing Light House Hotel, Galle; two nights at
the Rainforest Eco Lodge, Sinharaja and one
night at the Ozo Hotel, Colombo
One of the highlights of the tour will be our
stay in Sinharaja, the country’s last viable area
of primary tropical rainforest where
accommodation for two nights will be in the
Rainforest Eco Lodge. From here we will have
the most wonderful experiences of flora and
fauna with which to conclude our circular tour
of this glittering island gem.
I Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, two
additional dinners plus farewell dinner
I Flights from London Heathrow to Colombo
(regional flight connections and flight upgrades
available at a supplement)
An optional beach extension is available for
those who wish to extend their holiday – ask
for details.
I Visits to Sacred Seed Sanctuary, Temple of the
Tooth, Peradeniya Botanic Garden, guided tour
of the gardens at the Grand Hotel, visit to Horton
Plains, Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Yala National
Park, Lunuganga Estate, Brief Gardens and
guided tours in the Sinharaja Rainforest
18
Botanical
Caption Garden
Lake Tekapo
Gardens of New Zealand
including Singapore
Visiting New Zealand is rather like entering a parallel universe. On the surface,
everything appears familiar, but look more closely and you notice subtle
differences – an unusual plant, an outlandish insect or a brightly coloured
bird – which tell you that you are in fact a long way from home.
There are parts of New Zealand that could be
anywhere in the British Isles, from a
Hampshire country garden to a Highland glen,
an illusion which is strengthened by the
abundance of familiar place names and by
the plants which were imported by the early
settlers. Yet where in Britain can you find
bubbling mud pools and gushing geysers,
majestic fjords and glittering glaciers, huge
tree ferns and penguin colonies?
flora of the country, both in its natural habitat
and in a selection of wonderful gardens.
Among the species we can expect to see are
Vegetable sheep (Raoulias) and Celmisias,
Mount Cook Lily (Ranunculus lyalli), Wild
Spaniards (Aciphyllas), Bulbinellas,
Chionohebes and Hebes; New Zealand Beech
and Tree Ferns, as well as the many
non-native plants which gardeners here like to
grow alongside the native bush.
In addition to viewing some of these natural
wonders, we will be taking a close look at the
Departures
Departures
Nov 15, 2016, Jan 17, 2017
Single room supplement £1,140
What’s
What’sincluded
included
breakfast basis: two nights in a four-star hotel in
Singapore; two nights Auckland; two nights
Rotorua; two nights New Plymouth; two nights
Wellington; one night Nelson; two nights
Christchurch; three nights Queenstown; one
night Te Anau and two nights Dunedin
I Dinner and welcome drink on the first evening
in New Zealand, plus two additional dinners
and two lunches
I Overnight flight from London Heathrow to
Singapore; return overnight flight to London
from Dunedin (regional flight connections and
flight upgrades available on request)
I Visits to Gardens by the Bay, the Botanic and
Orchid Gardens in Singapore; a full touring
programme visiting the best private and public
gardens throughout New Zealand meeting
head gardeners, curators and owners where
available; wine tastings and a cruise on Milford
Sound
I Services of Trevor Edwards as tour manager
Native tree ferns
19
Torres Del Paine
Chile: A Botanical Adventure
Chile is often described as a bio-geographical island, as it is enclosed to the
west by the Pacific Ocean, to the east by the high Andean mountain chain and
to the north by the Atacama Desert. As a result, the flora has become isolated
and the physical, climatic, and biological factors found within the country have
contributed to a unique flora with high levels of endemism.
We fly to Santiago for two nights in Chile’s
bustling capital and visit La Campana National
Park to the north west of the city for our first
introduction to the native flora. Moving on to
the coastal resort of Zapallar we will explore
the reserve at Los Molles, one of the best
preserved areas of coastal vegetation with
colourful low shrubs, herbs and bulbous plants,
and enjoy an uplifting walk through the last
remaining coastal forests at Quebrada del
Tigre. We then head for the ski resort of Portillo
in the higher altitudes of Parque Andino
Juncal, an area used for ecological
conservation and sustainable tourism where
the stunning scenery is complemented by
exquisite flowering alpine plants, such as
Guanacos
20
Peruvian lilies (Alstromeria), and, if we are
lucky, majestic condors soaring overhead.
Our tour then moves south to the Lakeland
area of Chile on a short flight to Temuco where
the landscape changes dramatically. One of
the highlights in this section of our tour will be
the opportunity to see Monkey Puzzle trees
(Araucaria araucana), the iconic national tree
of Chile. We then travel to Puerto Varas for
three nights, perched on the shores of Lago
Llanquihue with extraordinary views across to
snow-capped Volcano Osorno.
Departures
Departures
Jan 10, 2017
What’s
What’sincluded
included
breakfast basis: two nights in Santiago, two
nights in Zapallar, two nights in the ski resort of
Portillo, two nights in Curacáutin, three nights in
Puerto Varas, three nights in Torres del Paine
National Park
I Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, 10
additional dinners and 10 lunches
I Return flights from London Heathrow to
Santiago (regional flight connections and flight
upgrades available at a supplement)
I Internal flights: Santiago to Temuco, Puerto
Montt to Punta Arenas and Punta Arenas to
Santiago
I All visits and excursions
I Services of Tony Russell as tour manager
Our grand botanical adventure concludes with
a flight further south to Punta Arenas and the
Torres del Paine National Park. Here we will
have three nights in the heart of the park
where we will explore the wonderful
Patagonian steppe landscape, home to a great
array of plants endemic to this dry region, such
as Guanaco Bush (Anarthrophyllum
Desideratum), Streaked Maiden (Olsynium
Biflorum) and Paramela (Adesmia
boronioides). On the wildlife side we can
expect to see herds of Guanaco (a relative of
the Llama), Andean Deer and Culpeo Foxes.
At the end of our stay we fly back from Punta
Arenas to Santiago for a final night in Chile.
Conguillío National Park
UK and Irish
garden holidays
Whether it be the Arcadian delights
of England’s pastoral landscapes
created by ‘Capability’ Brown, or
Gertrude Jekyll’s floral palette; a small
Highland garden, the formality of
Powerscourt and the perfection that
is Bodnant – the gardens of Great
Britain and Ireland can stand
shoulder to shoulder with any in the
world, and tower above most.
Come and see for yourself.
Stourhead Gardens
21
Tresco
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
Flying into St Mary’s on the small Skybus plane is always an exciting experience.
When you first glimpse the turquoise seas and quartz sands that surround the
Scilly Isles it is a bit like entering a Michael Morpurgo novel and you instinctively
know your visit is going to be special. A quick minibus transfer takes you down to
the quay for the 15 minute boat transfer to Tresco. Cormorants are diving in the
water and oystercatchers dart past as the green island approaches.
A sub-tropical paradise, this tiny corner of
England has remained unpolluted and
unspoilt for decades. Tresco lies just 28 miles
from the Cornish coast yet basks in a balmy
climate where spring comes early, autumn
stays late and winter hardly exists at all.
Abbey Gardens is home to more than 3,000
species, magnificent vistas, colours and scents.
There is certainly no other garden like this in
the world and we will be privileged to learn of
the garden’s hidden secrets, both past and
present, with a personally guided tour.
Abbey Gardens
22
In spring you will see flowers here that are
weeks ahead of those on the mainland - the
perfect way to lift your spirits after a cold, dark
winter. Autumn, too, is a stunning time to visit,
with the beautiful golden, red and amber tints
of the seasonal foliage set against a backdrop
of proteas, aloes and flowering camellias
thrown in for good measure.
Other packages are available to Bryher’s Hell
Bay Hotel or to the St Mary’s Hall Hotel - ask
for details.
Departures
Departures
Mar 18, Apr 1, 8, 11, 18, 22,
May 6, 9, Sep 9, 12, 16, Oct 3, 7, 10, 2016
Three nights’ half board from £795pp
April & September supplement £60
May supplement £100
What’sincluded
included
What’s
I Three nights’ dinner, bed and full breakfast at
the New Inn, Tresco
I Return train from London Paddington to
Penzance (other stations available on request)
I Return flights from Land’s End to St Mary’s
(flights from Exeter or Newquay available at a
supplement)
I Boat transfers between St Mary’s and Tresco
I Entry to Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
Other departure points and first class
upgrades are possible on request. Overnight
accommodation can be organised in London
before or after the tour. A reduction of £70pp
applies for those making their own way to and from
Penzance or Land’s End.
Tom Leaper’s Agave Fountain
Gardens of Devon
and Cornwall
The words Devon and Cornwall go
together like ‘peaches and cream’,
‘Morecambe and Wise’ and ‘Chelsea
and Flower Show’. Their wonderful
gardens are as good as any in these
islands and fuse together in a
cocktail of West Country magic.
Our tour begins in Bristol (Temple Meads) at
noon, as we head south and west having a
splendid afternoon visit to the gardens of
Hestercombe in the hills above Taunton. Here is
a unique combination of three centuries of
garden including the stunning Edwardian
garden designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and
Gertrude Jekyll.
Comfortable accommodation has been
arranged for two nights in Tiverton. Of course
we could not come to Devon without visiting
RHS Garden Rosemoor, which is world famous
for its roses and lies in the heart of the Devon
countryside. There are two gardens here, the
first an intimate woodland garden with an
excellent collection of trees and shrubs which
relish acid soil – the other is a more ambitious
affair, which has been developed by the RHS as
a display garden. Returning to our hotel we
shall enjoy a scenic tour of Exmoor National
Park, a beautiful area often overlooked.
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Cornish gardens are famous the world over,
from the formal to the informal, woodland
retreats to historic rolling parkland, all very
unique in their own way. There are modern
gardens; ancient gardens; gardens with
Mediterranean, sub-tropical or South African
themes, all housing a stunningly diverse
collection of plants and sculptures from around
the world.
Travelling into ‘Kernow’ we first visit the
splendid National Trust property and garden at
Lanhydrock and the privately owned estate of
Trewithen, acknowledged as an International
Camellia Garden of Excellence. From our base
in Cornwall we will visit the stunning private
garden of Lamorran and the multi award
winning restoration gardens of Heligan. We will
have an invigorating morning at Trebah on the
slopes above the Helford River before having a
relaxing afternoon in St Ives at the Barbara
Hepworth garden. Our last garden is Trelissick, a
superb garden on its own peninsula .
Sleeping Giant, Heligan
Departures
Apr 8, Jun 1, Sep 11, 2016
Five nights’ half board from £695pp
What’s included
I Two nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the
comfortable Best Western Tiverton Hotel; three
nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the
Penmorvah Manor Hotel, Budock Water, near
Falmouth
I Comfortable coaching commencing from Bristol
Temple Meads railway station
A five night package by air is available from
Edinburgh (other airports on request) from £795pp.
I Admissions to all gardens as per itinerary
including entry to the Barbara Hepworth
Museum in St Ives
Call today on 01334 657155 UK,
UK &European
Irish Garden
& Worldwide
Holidays Garden
2015 Holidays
Spring colour, Trebah
23
The Legacy of
Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll was a plantswoman
extraordinaire, painter and writer,
however she is perhaps best
remembered for her association with
the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and
together they left an unrivalled
gardening legacy.
Our tour stretches like a colourful thread
across the south of England, from the Home
Counties of Kent, Sussex and Surrey, where
she lived for most of her life, to the southern
counties of England and into the scenic
West Country where many of her commissions
are located.
We start our tour on a high by visiting the two
outstanding private estates of Buckhurst Park
and Gravetye Manor. We will also visit
Godalming’s small museum which is home to
many of Jekyll’s original garden drawings
before looking round the distinctive garden
rooms at Loseley Park, Vann and Upton Grey.
Hestercombe
Perhaps the highlight of this holiday will be
the rare chance to visit Munstead Wood,
Jekyll’s home for almost 40 years.
We then head south-west to visit two stunning
gardens, a private property at Bramdean, near
Alresford and the gardens at historic Heale
House, just north of Salisbury, before
continuing to our hotel for the next three
nights in the small Somerset town
of Ilminster.
East Lambrook Manor, Cothay Manor, Lydeard
House and Barrington Court all have strong
Jekyll and Lutyens’ influences and will be a joy
to behold.
A visit to Hestercombe with its stunning
Edwardian garden completes our tour before
we head for home.
Munstead Wood
Departures
May 29, Jun 5, 2016
Six nights’ half board from £965pp
What’s included
I Six nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast: three
nights at the Legacy Farnham Hog’s Back Hotel
(or similar) and three nights at the Shrubbery
Hotel, Ilminster
I Admissions to all gardens as per itinerary and
entry to Godalming Museum
A six night package by air is available from Edinburgh
(other airports on request) from £1,075pp.
24
Rail/air connections and overnight accommodation
in London before or after the tour available on
request.
Caption Jekyll
Gertrude
Compton Verney
The Landscape Gardens of
Capability Brown
Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown changed the face of eighteenth century England,
designing country estates and mansions, moving hills and creating lakes. To
mark the tricentenary of his influential life we have created a bespoke tour
which will visit some of his most striking landscapes and parklands.
Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown is best
remembered for landscapes on an immense
scale, and although his work is continually
being re-assessed, every landscape gardener
and architect that has followed, both in Britain
and across the developed world, has been
influenced by him in one way or another.
Happily, many of his finest works are be found
relatively close to each other within one of the
most appealing regions of England and lend
themselves perfectly to a highly attractive
garden holiday.
Ragley Hall
Our tour commences at Warwick Parkway
Railway Station at noon as we head for
Compton Verney, a Robert Adam house, with
grounds remodelled by Brown after 1761.
From our base in the Cotswolds we continue
with visits to Ragley Hall and Croome Court,
both classic English Stately Homes with
stunning parkland and gardens. Croome Court
was Brown’s first landscape design and
architectural project and is considered by many
to be his most important and seminal work.
We have a day in Wiltshire and Avon where we
enjoy Bowood House, another fine example of
Brown’s work, and the stunning grounds of Prior
Park, which offer breathtaking views over the
elegant city of Bath. Our tour of ‘Capability’
Brown’s Heart of England is rounded off with
visits to Rousham House, perhaps best known
for what came before Brown with the work of
William Kent, who designed part of the
extensive parkland. It’s an ideal place to
compare and contrast their differing yet
complementary styles. Finally to Stowe, where
Brown became Head Gardener in 1741 and
went on to create a timeless landscape which
casts a spell over all who visit it. The tour will
conclude at Bicester Railway Station.
Departures
Apr 29, Jun 24, Sep 30, 2016
What’s included
I Three nights’ dinner, bed and full breakfast at
the four-star Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars
Hotel, South Cerney
I Comfortable coaching commencing in Warwick,
concluding in Bicester on the last day
I Visits to the grounds and gardens of Compton
Verney, Ragley Hall, Croome Court, Bowood
House, Prior Park, Rousham and Stowe
Rail/air connections and overnight accommodation
in London before or after the tour available on
request.
Capability Brown
25
Highgrove House
Departures
Departures
Highgrove and the Cotswolds
Apr 22, May 6, Jun 10, Aug 12, Sep 4, 2016
Our tour of the Cotswolds features an exclusive visit to Highgrove House, the
country home of HRH The Prince of Wales. This will be a rare opportunity to see
these fascinating gardens which are cultivated using wholly organic methods.
This is a very private and personal garden and
we are honoured that The Prince of Wales is
so accommodating as to let the general public
view his garden when he is not there. Since
buying the property in 1980 Prince Charles,
with the help of friends and horticultural
experts, has created a stunning garden to
surround his family home.
In addition to Highgrove, we visit some of the
splendid gardens to be found nestled among
the green and rolling hills of Gloucestershire.
Our tour begins at the calm and soothing
Abbey House garden at Malmesbury, home to
a stunning rose collection.
Hidcote Manor’s contrasting garden rooms
and Kiftsgate’s famous rambling rose are
justly famous. Misarden Park was redeveloped
by Sir Edwin Lutyens in his famous Edwardian
style and its elevated position allows for a
terrific view over the five golden valleys of
Stroud.
Our final visit is to Westonbirt, the National
Arboretum and the Forestry Commission’s
show piece. Westonbirt constantly changes
with the seasons but is always a joy to behold.
What’s
What’sincluded
included
I Three nights’ dinner, bed and full breakfast at a
comfortable hotel in the Cotswolds
I Comfortable coaching throughout
I Entrance to the gardens of Abbey House,
Misarden Park, Hidcote Manor, Kiftsgate,
Westonbirt Arboretum and Highgrove House
Please note, by the very nature of this holiday, the
running order of the tour is subject to change as we
are beholden to a successful application for
admittance to Highgrove which will be confirmed in
February 2016.
A three night package by air is available from
Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle (other airports on
request) from £565pp.
Abbey House
26
Hidcote Manor
Malvern Flower
Show and the
Gardens of
Herefordshire
Gardens of
Cheshire & RHS
Flower Show
Tatton Park
The Malvern Show, which takes
place in early spring and autumn, is
one of the outstanding events of the
English gardening year.
The Royal Horticultural Society will
once again bring a spectacular
celebration of flowers and
gardening to the north-west of
England with the RHS Flower Show
Tatton Park, with colourful displays
and exciting show gardens.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show
RHS Chelsea
Flower Show
This tour combines the colour
and excitement of the RHS
Chelsea Flower Show with some
of the south of England’s finest
gardens, affording the
opportunity to enjoy a wide
range of horticultural excellence.
This two centre holiday is firstly based in
Sussex from where we have arranged visits to
the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the
unmissable gardens of RHS Garden Wisley,
Sissinghurst in Kent and Great Dixter.
Laskett Gardens
This is due in part to the wonderful range of
show gardens, exhibits and floral marquees
and in part to the superb location beneath
the glorious Malvern Hills.
As you wander round the show you will find
pleasure and inspiration; as you lift your eyes
to the hills you will find peace and relaxation.
Complementing our visit here is a selection
of stunning gardens, including Sir Roy
Strong’s garden of sentiments and
memories The Laskett; the plantsman’s
delight of Stockton Bury and Misarden Park,
which was redeveloped by Sir Edwin Lutyens
in his distinctive style.
Departures
We then head west, breaking our journey in
the cathedral city of Salisbury and then at
‘Capability’ Brown’s famous landscape
garden of Stourhead.
From our hotel in the centre of Wells we visit
the ancient Bishop’s Palace, the Harold Peto
designed garden at Iford Manor and
Hestercombe, one of Gertrude Jekyll and Sir
Edwin Lutyens’ greatest masterpieces.
We also have some time in the town of Bath,
famous for its Roman baths and elegant
Georgian terraces.
We conclude with a wander round
Tyntesfield, a fine National Trust Victorian
country house with a glorious walled garden
before returning to London.
Departures
Tatton Park
While we are here in Cheshire we will also visit
four notable gardens. The herbaceous
borders at Arley Hall are one of the great
garden sights in England, beautifully
maintained and always delightful. There are
also old walled gardens with good mixed
borders and a simple terraced walk above a
ha-ha. Bluebell Cottage Gardens have a huge
range of planting in an attractive setting next
to the Trent & Mersey canal while the
adjoining nursery specialises in hardy
herbaceous perennials with a stock of over
1500 varieties. Ness Botanic Gardens has a
host of features including herbaceous
borders, climbing plants and lush water
gardens and finally there is Stoneyford
Cottage, an informal natural garden and
specialist plant nursery.
Departures
May 4, Sep 23, 2016
May 26, 2016
Jul 20, 2016
Six nights’ half board from £925pp
What’s included
What’s included
What’s included
I Visits to the Malvern Flower Show and the gardens
of Stockton Bury, Misarden Park and The Laskett.
I All day ticket to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show;
visits to the gardens of RHS Garden Wisley,
Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, Hestercombe, Iford
Manor, Stourhead and Tyntesfield; Salisbury, Bath
and The Bishop’s Palace, Wells.
I Visits to the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park , the
gardens of Arley Hall, Bluebell Cottage, Ness
Botanic Gardens and a private garden in Chester.
Based at the Queen’s Hotel in the centre of
Chester.
A three night package by air from Edinburgh, Glasgow
or Newcastle is available from £555pp.
A six night package by air is available from Edinburgh
(other airports on request) from £1,025pp.
It is also possible to join this tour at Crewe railway
station - ask for details.
27
Gardens of
North Wales
With glorious scenery that includes mountains, seascapes
and castles, North Wales is home to some outstanding
gardens.
One of the best is Plas Cadnant,
which 18 years ago was an
overgrown, abandoned wilderness
of ivy and decrepit fruit trees. Its
new owner has brought it back to
life and now, rather like Heligan in
Cornwall, Plas Cadnant has
emerged as a gem of a garden,
full of interest.
Further highlights include the
nursery at Crûg Farm Plants,
specialists in a broad range of
temperate forest plants;
Departures
Jun 9, Sep 1, 2016
Bodnant House and garden
Bodnant Garden, with a range of
beautiful plants from all over the
world; Portmeirion, the eccentric
and rather surreal Italianate
village designed by Sir Clough
Williams-Ellis, which has been
enhanced in recent years with
improvements made to the
gardens, and Plas Brondanw,
Sir Clough’s own delightful
garden which is packed with
interesting plants.
What’s included
I Visits to the gardens of Bodnant, Plas
Brondanw, Portmeirion, Plas Cadnant
and Crûg Farm Nursery; the informal
woodland gardens of Dorothy Clive
in Shropshire and the gardens of
Arley Hall in Cheshire. Services of
horticulturalist Tony Russell as tour
manager.
Gardens of West Wales
Tucked away in the rolling countryside of Carmarthenshire
and Pembrokeshire are some fine parks and gardens, both
large and small, ancient and modern.
The centrepiece of our tour is the
National Botanic Garden of
Wales, the first garden of its type
to be created in the United
Kingdom for 200 years. This
spectacular re-interpretation of
the historical garden includes
Norman Foster’s Great
Greenhouse, the largest single
span glasshouse in the world.
unique Elizabethan/Jacobean
cloister and parapet walk. Dyffryn
Botanic Gardens have also been
recently restored to Thomas
Mawson’s original 1904 design.
We visit two superb woodland
gardens, at Picton Castle and
Upton Castle along with Cae Hir,
which has established itself as
one of Wales’ best loved gardens.
By contrast Aberglasney is a
superb 16th/17th century garden,
which was discovered after 50
years of neglect and has been
restored to produce a garden with
immense appeal, including a
We also visit some interesting
private gardens, including
Dyffryn Fernant, Ridlers and The
Cors, all exceptional in their own
way.
Departures
Jun 20, 2016
Four nights’ half board from £595pp
28
Dyffryn Botanic Gardens
What’s included
I Visits to Dyffryn Botanic Gardens,
Picton Castle & Gardens, Upton
Castle Gardens, Cae Hir, Aberglasney,
the National Botanic Gardens of
Wales and the private gardens of
Dyffryn Fernant, Ridlers and The
Cors. Services of horticulturalist Tony
Russell as tour manager.
Which way?
Powerscourt
Departures
Departures
In an Irish Garden
Jun 23, Aug 11, 2016
A tour round Ireland promises a rich feast of horticultural excellence, with
memorable and beguiling gardens, enthusiastic and skilful owners and an ever
changing backdrop of lush green hills, fertile fields and glittering seascapes.
Our journey from north to south is packed full of gems, yet it is relaxed and
unhurried, taking in the very best that the Emerald Isle has to offer.
We begin in Northern Ireland at the dazzling
and idiosyncratic garden of Mount Stewart,
truly one of the great gardens of the world.
We also visit romantic Rowallane and
atmospheric Castle Ward.
We move on to Dublin where we meet June
Blake, a passionate plantswoman who grows
a unique mix of bamboos, ornamental grasses
and perennials. The unmissable Dillon Garden
features, of course, along with Hunting Brook,
with its fusion of prairie and tropical planting;
the Italianate seaside garden at Corke Lodge
and Powerscourt, one of Ireland’s most
famous gardens.
Continuing south we call in at Mount Usher, a
wild and informal garden with some rare and
exceptional trees, on our way to the lively and
cultured city of Cork. From here we tour
Ilnacullin, with its magical setting on an island
bathed in the warm waters of the Gulf
Stream, and the garden of Bantry House.
The wonderful gardens at Lakemount, which
feature a multitude of plants from every corner
of the globe, complete an outstanding tour.
Mount Stewart
Seven nights’ half board from £1,195pp
What’s included
I Seven nights’ half board at four-star hotels: two
nights at the Dunadry Hotel, Co. Antrim; three
nights at the Hilton Kilmainham Hotel, Dublin;
two nights at the Imperial Hotel, Cork
I Flights from London Gatwick to Belfast and
back from Cork (other airports on request)
I Visits to the gardens of Mount Stewart, Castle
Ward and Rowallane; Corke Lodge, Mount
Usher, Hunting Brook, June Blake’s Garden &
Nursery, Powerscourt and the Dillon Garden;
Ilnacullin, Bantry House and Lakemount
I Services of horticulturalist Trevor Edwards as
tour manager
Please note that this holiday is made up of three parts
which can also be taken as individual holidays: Northern
Ireland - two night package; Dublin - three night
package and Cork - two night package.
Please ask for full details of each tour.
Ilnacullin
29
Scotland’s
West Coast
Gardens
The Western Seaboard of Scotland is
home to some of the finest gardens
in Europe. Many types of plant
flourish in this gentle and moist
climate, enjoying the benefit of the
Gulf Stream, which is kind to unusual
exotic shrubs and trees.
Many of Scotland’s west coast gardens were
laid out to complement grand country homes or
castles, while others are private and hidden on
some of the most beautiful Hebridean Islands.
Flowering rhododendrons and azaleas turn
these peaceful locations into a riot of colour
and alongside the subtle greens from native
birch, oak and pine combine to form a
wonderful natural tapestry.
We start by visiting the private gardens at
Glenarn, near the stylish seaside town of
Helensburgh, before heading into the Highlands
proper by climbing the ‘Rest and be Thankful’
and reaching the Robert Lorimer house and
woodland estate of Ardkinglas.
NTS Arduaine
We then have a day on the beautiful Isle of Mull
where we visit the small, but perfectly formed
garden of Lip Na Cloiche, and spend some time
in the colourful island capital of Tobermory.
Adjacent to our hotel is the National Trust for
Scotland’s garden of Arduaine and just to the
north is another stunning private garden, An
Cala, on the Isle of Seil, linked to the mainland
by ‘The Bridge over the Atlantic’.
Another island adventure awaits when we head
south to the little island of Gigha, home to the
Achamore Gardens. Sir James Horlick (of
bedtime drink fame) came here in 1944 and
started to make a now splendid woodland
garden.
The last day of our garden tour hugs the
northern banks of Loch Fyne and visits another
beautiful National Trust for Scotland garden at
Crarae and also the the gardens that surround
the impressive turreted castle at Inveraray.
Lip Na Cloiche
Departures
May 23, Jun 24, 2016
Four nights’ half board from £795pp
A four night package by air is available from London
(other airports on request) from £895pp.
Photo: Ray Cox
What’s included
I Four nights’ dinner, bed and full breakfast at the
Loch Melfort Hotel, near Oban
I All ferry crossings and comfortable coaching
I Visits to the gardens at Glenarn (including
lunch), Ardkinglas, Lip na Cloiche, Arduaine, An
Cala, Achamore, Crarae and Inveraray Castle
30
Meconopsis
Caption
Dunrobin
Gardens of the Far North
A journey to the far north of Scotland brings many rewards, not least the sense
of freedom and open space to be found in the thrilling seascapes of the coasts
or the vast, empty expanse of mountain and moorland that separates east
from west. Rewards also come in the shape of some enchanting castles and
gardens, which we have threaded together to bring out the best of this remote
and unspoilt region.
Departures
Departures
May 19, Sep 18, 2016
Five nights’ half board from £745pp
What’s included
I Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at a
comfortable hotel in Inverness; two nights’
dinner, bed and breakfast at a comfortable
hotel in Thurso
I Comfortable coaching throughout
Our holiday begins with a relaxing drive north
breaking our journey at Blair Castle where we
see its stunning arboretum, Diana’s Grove, a
tranquil wooded area, home to some
champion trees.
From our first base in Inverness we will go
north and west to visit two wonderful gardens,
one private at Dundonell House and the other
the famous National Trust for Scotland garden
at Inverewe, returning via Loch Maree.
William Shakespeare immortalised Cawdor in
Macbeth, however, both the castle and its
history are colourful enough without the aid of
myth boasting magnificent gardens with vast
herbaceous borders. We will also visit
Abriachan Garden on the banks of Loch Ness.
Heading as far north as is possible on the
British mainland to Thurso we will call in at Old
Allangrange on the Black Isle and also visit the
manicured walled gardens at Dunbeath Castle.
I Visits to Diana’s Grove at Blair Castle, the
gardens of Dundonell, Inverewe, Cawdor
Castle, Old Allangrange, Dunbeath Castle,
Bighouse Lodge and Dunrobin Castle, The Loch
Ness Garden Abriachan and the Castle of Mey
A five night package by air is available from London
(other airports on request) from £845pp.
The Castle of Mey sits high on a cliff,
overlooking the turbulent waters of the
Pentland Firth, and it is here that the late
Queen Mother had one of her favourite garden
retreats. Also overlooking the Pentland Firth
lies Bighouse Lodge, situated by the white
sands of Melvich.
We return south visiting Dunrobin Castle - the
château-style ancestral home of the Dukes of
Sutherland. The castle is a wonderful early
19th-century fantasy with a touch of the Loire
and a dash of Bavaria, with formal gardens
leading to the North Sea.
Castle of Mey
We will drop passengers off in Inverness, Perth,
Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Dunbeath Castle
Photo: Ray Cox
31
To book or to obtain further information on any of our RHS Garden Holidays, visit
www.rhsgardenholidays.com or call 01334 657155
Magnolia x wieseneri
Brightwater Holidays Ltd, Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife KY15 4HS
Tel: 01334 657155 Email: [email protected] Fax: 01334 657144 www.rhsgardenholidays.com
5020

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