Day 1 London - Exeter

Arrive London Heathrow airport and meet your tour guide. Depart with coach to begin your garden tour.

We start with a visit to East Lambrook Manor Gardens, a wonderful cottage garden created by plantswoman and gardening writer Margery Fish. On arrival the group will have an introductory talk by the owner or head gardener, about the garden and its creator.

Free time for lunch. 

Our drive continues to Exeter to check into our hotel for some free time to relax. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (D)

Day 2 Exeter

This morning we visit Knighthayes Gardens, a post war garden, parkland and gothic revival architecture. Over 1200 plant species are found in formal and woodland garden. There is animal topiary, spring bulbs, rare shrubs, a lily pool and seasonal colours throughout the gardens.

The next visit will be to RHS Rosemoor. On arrival free time for lunch before we embark on an afternoon guided visit of the gardens which will include the highlights such as the rose gardens, long borders, the hot and cool gardens, exotic gardens, fruit and vegetable gardens, Lady Anne’s Arboretum and much, much more. 

Return to Exeter hotel. Dinner at leisure. (B)

Day 3 Exeter - Falmouth

Today we travel further south into Cornwall and visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan, one of the most mysterious estates in England but now one of the most famous gardens. Guided tour of this ‘sleeping beauty,’ as it is known. Explore four walled gardens, Japanese and Italian gardens and the Jungle, U.K.’s only outdoor jungle.

Free time for lunch in Mevagissy, a pretty fishing village that still hosts a working harbor and a tradition of boat building dating back to 1745. 

In the afternoon we visit Tregothnan – the largest tea gardens in England. Across the estate, about 20,000 tea bushes are planted every year. Tregothnan is known as an expert Camellia grower but the full range of luxurious teas offered here range from black teas, green teas and a list of grown herbal infusions. We have a guided tour to include the Halywn, Coombe and Vounder tea gardens, as well as the hidden valley jungle garden, Kea Plum and rare apple orchards. The tour will last around 2 hours, and finish with a tea tasting and a delicious cream tea. 

On to Falmouth to check into your hotel. Dinner at leisure. (B, T)

Day 5 Falmouth

This morning is a visit to one of Cornwall’s (and England’s) most famous sites – St Michael’s Mount. This tidal island is home to a historic castle, garden and island community. The island is accessible either by foot or boat (depending on tides). The discoveries are endless, from a piece of Napoleon’s coat worn at the battle of Waterloo to the sofa on which Queen Victoria sat whilst her housekeeper entertained her to a cup of tea, to a terraced garden dating back to 1878. 

We return to the mainland and visit to the award-winning coastal destination – St Ives. We have free time to explore the town and lunch. Here you will find the Cornish sculpture artist, Barbara Hepworth. In 1949 she created a studio and sculpture garden. The Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden comprises 30 works in wood, stone, plaster and bronze sculptures situated throughout her garden.

The afternoon begins with a short 30 minute Botallack walk for an insight into the Tin Coast. The walk captivates history of mining that extended out a half mile under the sea. Tin Coast mining records date from about the 1500s and ended in 1895 due to falling prices for copper and tin. Wildflowers may be in bloom at this time of year.

Then we visit the Trengwainton Garden, home to award winning magnolias and rhododendrons, winding wood paths and stunning views across Mount’s Bay. We have an introductory talk before enjoying the garden at leisure. 

Return to Falmouth for dinner and overnight at hotel. (B)

Day 6 Falmouth

Today visit St Austell Brewery for a tour where you will be talked through the brewing process, and handle some of the hops, malts and barley and gain an insight into why these ingredients have been selected. You will also learn how brewing used to be done, and be taught about some of the very old machinery used in the past…of course there will also be a chance to sample some of the beer! 

Free time in the old market town of St Austell.

In the afternoon we visit the world famous eco attraction, the Eden Project. Enjoy highlights such as the Rainforest Biome, the world’s largest indoor rainforest, the Mediterranean Biome which is home to huge spiky cacti, ancient olive trees and fruits and herbs, and learn about their sustainability projects and missions. 

Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. (B)

Day 7 Falmouth - Plymouth   

Our journey continue to the port of Polperro where we will visit the Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing. There is free time for lunch and for a wander around the harbour. 

Possible Inclusion: Polperro Fishermen’s Choir  if they aren’t touring and are available to give a concert. 

We continue back into Devon and visit The Garden House, formerly a private home and garden and now run by a trust. Enjoy a guided tour with the head gardener, including the cottage garden area, the Acer Glade, the Walled Garden and the Jubilee Arboretum. 

Transfer to Plymouth and check into hotel. Dinner at leisure. (B)

Day 8 Plymouth  

Begin the day touring through the Dartmoor National Park and villages, including Princetown, Two Bridge and Postbridge including Clapper Bridge….whilst trying to spot the famous Dartmoor ponies! 

Next visit Coleton Fishacre, the country home of the D’Olyl Carte family. This garden has glimpses of the sea, paths that wander through glades to ponds and plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand

Return to hotel. Dinner at leisure. (B)

Day 9 Plymouth - Bournemouth

Our day starts with a visit to Mapperton House and Gardens, home to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. A sandstone manor house set in a romantic garden valley, with fifteen acres of gardens, including a croquet lawn, topiary and wild gardens. 

Free time for lunch in the café.

In the afternoon visit Cerne Giant – an ancient naked figure sculpted into the chalk hillside above Cerne Abbas.

Continue to Bournemouth for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 10 Bournemouth - London

This morning we visit the naturalistic garden, Knoll Gardens, based on low maintenance gardening whatever the weather. You will have a guided tour (depending on availability at the time of confirmation) with Knoll’s owner, plantsman, author and the UK’s leading grass specialist, Neil Lucas. 

Today we end our day in the city of Winchester for some free time. 

Afternoon transfer to London hotel for check in. Dinner at leisure. (B)

Day 11 London

Today we leave Cornwall and Devon behind and transfer to RHS Wisley. Experience the joy of plants with fabulous colours, scents and styles alongside the people who make up this nation of gardeners. Guided tour of Wisley which is carefully curated for year-round colour, whenever you visit you will quickly see why this is a best-loved garden, with so much to discover in its 240 acres. With some areas dating back over 100 years, the garden has never stopped innovating. Enjoy a memorable journey through an array of gardening styles, from the traditional English Cottage Garden and Rose Gardens, colourful Mixed Borders and one of the finest Rock Gardens in the world. Experience the new Exotic Garden and the iconic Glasshouse – home to incredible tropical plants and rare and endangered species. Get a taste for the local flavours wandering the Orchards, Herb, Fruit and Kitchen Gardens. 

Free time for lunch. 

This afternoon our group visits a private garden in the Surrey Hills for a guided walk by the owner. A

tranquil partly walled ½ acre oasis of calm - beds grouped around the central fountain offer floral continuity through the seasons with soft harmonious planting supported by good structure with topiary, a rose/clematis walk and wisteria walk. Outside the wall is the late border with its vibrant colours and fun planting. The decorative kitchen garden with raised beds edged with tiles is always of interest to visitors, many say it is one of the best gardens that they visit and just a lovely place to be. Finish with tea and home-made cakes. 

Return to London hotel. Dinner at leisure. (B)

Day 12 London

Our morning begins with a visit to the Garden Museum, celebrating the art, history and design of gardens. The museum tells the stories of great gardeners, includes a collection of gardening artefacts and tools throughout history, and explores how and why we garden through botanical art, photography and paintings. A group tour of the museum may be possible.

We continue to the Chelsea Psychic Garden. Over 350 years ago, the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries established a garden for growing medicinal plants on the banks of the River Thames. The Chelsea Physic Garden collection of over 4,500 plant species are still grown for medicinal, herbal or edible use.

Free time for lunch. 

We end our day with a guided visit to Kew Gardens, home to over 50,000 living plants, glasshouses, treetop walks and galleries. Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world-leading scientific research centre.

Return to hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 13 London

This morning we enjoy a panoramic tour of the city and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Free time for lunch. 

After lunch the group takes a Thames River cruise from Westminster Pier to Greenwich. In Greenwich enjoy a walking tour which will include seeing the meridian line. From here return to your hotel at your leisure. 

Dinner at a local pub/restaurant. Overnight. (B, D)

Day 14 DEPARTURE

Transfer to London Heathrow airport. (B)

NOTE:  Itinerary is subject to change.