DAY 1: SUN, MAY 25 – Arrival in England
Trip members independently arrange travel to Heathrow Airport and their own transfer to the Hilton London Heathrow Airport in Terminal 4, where they are booked into a room (included in the trip price) .
We will meet for a welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant at 18:30 (included in the tour price).
DAY 2: MONDAY, MAY 26 – Trip to Bath and Caisson Gardens
We meet for breakfast in the hotel restaurant (included) before boarding our coach to Bath.
We register at Hotel Indigo bathroom for 6 nights to settle in before boarding coaches for our first visit to the garden.
Gardens of the casket they offer a scenic mix of nature, history and art. Here we will embark on a walking and talking tour, exploring the beautifully restored landscapes, including historic canals and locks, and a unique ecosystem created by Phil and Amanda Honey. Caisson Gardens combines elements of sustainable design, wildlife and artistic expression, providing a serene environment in which to relax. We will learn about the 200-year history of the gardens and the owners will describe how they used regenerative practices to transform the grounds from sheds and ruins into the beautiful landscape it is today. This will be peak season for many of the pollinator plants in beds and borders.
Lunch will be served in the gardens (included).
We will return to the hotel. Dinner will be on your own this evening, offering the opportunity to explore any of the pubs or food establishments within walking distance.
DAY 3: TUESDAY, MAY 27 – Yeo Valley Organic Garden and a hands-on workshop
We meet for breakfast at the hotel (included) before boarding our coach for the Blagdon Lake region.
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee upon our arrival at Yeo Valley Organic Farm and Gardensand then embark on an immersive experience in sustainable farming and organic gardening set in the beautiful Mendip Hills. You'll be able to explore their organic gardening practices as you immerse yourself in the 6.5-acre gardens that showcase a variety of plants, wildflower meadows, and creative edible landscaping. This behind-the-scenes tour will provide insight into organic processes in harmony with the nature they embrace, offering a unique look at both innovation and tradition.
Yeo Valley will be providing lunch and afternoon tea with many of the organic produce and produce grown on site (included).
He will be in charge of a practical workshop/conference on the subject of biodiversity Nicola Hopeholder of the Master's in Horticulture RHS and trustee of Garden Organic.
We will return to the hotel. Dinner will be on your own tonight.
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY, May 28 – James Hitchmough's Private Garden, Visit Wildside with Keith Wiley
We meet for breakfast at the hotel (included) before boarding our coaches south to Devon.
Tea and cake will be served (included) on arrival in the new private garden of Dr. James Hitchmough. This colorful landscape is a master class in how to mix and match perennials to create natural gardens with visual impact i ecological value. James, a former lecturer in horticultural ecology and landscape design at the University of Sheffield, will guide us through his diverse planting whilst offering a wealth of information, advice and opinion, all delivered with his renowned sense of the humor He's a universal favorite on the UK garden lecture circuit, so hearing James' cutting-edge thoughts on perennials while in his own garden is a truly special opportunity.
We will continue south and have lunch (included) at our next destination, Wildside.
A guided tour of Wildside Gardenscreated by Keith Wiley and his late wife and Ross, it takes visitors through a truly inspiring landscape full of rare plants and ecologically rich designs inspired by global natural landscapes. Known for its innovative use of scale and evocative scenes, the garden combines diverse elements such as flower meadows, rocky landscapes and calm waters. Keith will be giving a walk and talk through the gardens, revealing the creative process behind this stunning landscape. Located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, Wildside has been described as Britain's most exciting and innovative garden.
We will return to Bath in time for dinner in the hotel restaurant (included).
DAY 5: THURSDAY, May 29 – Alison Jenkins' garden, Derry Watkins' home garden, specialty plant nursery
We meet for breakfast at the hotel (included) before boarding our coaches for Northend, Somerset.
Damson Farm is the home garden of horticulturist Alison Jenkins. This picturesque property, a 2 acre regenerative estate and edible garden, is located at the southern end of the Cotswold Hills, in a valley that was once filled with orchards and orchards. Alison has spent years cultivating and creating a vegetable garden, ponds and a meadow, as well as areas closer to home where she has designed intricate, layered planting combinations. The edible garden, however, is almost as beautiful as the ornamental beds. Alison will guide us through the landscape and explain how her keen observation of the natural ecosystems around her led her to create gardens that work ecologically, provide food and look beautiful too. The scenery of this magical place (with resident sheep grazing on the nearby hills) makes this a garden photographer's dream location.
A catered lunch will be served in the garden (included).
Our next stop will be a two-for-one deal. We will arrive at the home garden of the nursery Derry Watkins and take a personal tour of the various beds and borders that she and her husband, Peter Clegg, have spent nearly 20 years perfecting. You will find densely planted gardens full of Mediterranean plants, two gravel gardens, a woodland garden and a series of garden rooms defined by established hedges.
After that, you'll have a chance to explore Nursery of special plantsrun by Derry next to his garden. This destination for gardeners around the world features rare, unusual and tender perennials, as well as specialty plants of all kinds. Stroll through the nursery, see propagation operations, or take photos of plants you may not be familiar with.
We will have dinner again at the hotel restaurant (included).
DAY 6: FRIDAY MAY 30 – Hauser & Wirth Designed by Piet Oudolf and Visit to Common Farm Flowers
We meet for breakfast at the hotel (included) before boarding our coaches for Somerset.
A visit to Hauser and Wirth Somerset offers an immersive artistic experience with rotating exhibitions in a rural setting. Enjoy a welcome coffee or tea before moving on to explore contemporary galleries and a vibrant outdoor sculpture garden. Renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf of the Netherlands designed the planting scheme for the entire Hauser & Wirth property, including the Oudolf Field, a large perennial garden located behind the gallery buildings. The winding beds are densely planted with a wide variety of species that look amazing all year round. The space is designed to integrate art, nature and community, making it an inspiring cultural destination.
We will have lunch at the Roth Bar & Grill, which serves locally sourced food (included).
After boarding the coaches and going a little further, we will stop Common farm flowersa lovely place full of sustainably grown flowers in every shade imaginable. Founder and well-respected florist Georgie Newbery will provide tea and talk about the eco-friendly practices that inform day-to-day work on the farm and lead a demonstration on creating a hand-tied bouquet.
We will have dinner again at the hotel restaurant (included).
DAY 7: MAY 31 – Free time in Bath and Annie Guilfoyle Lecture
Wake up and have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel (included).
Today you will have free time in the ancient city of Bath, founded by the Romans in the 1st century. Our hotel is located in the center of the city, within walking distance of many historical sites, restaurants and shops. No need for taxis or carpooling services! Although you can no longer bathe in its original thermal pools, you can still visit the amazing Roman Baths. If that's not your cup of tea, you'll find plenty of other things to do in this UNESCO World Heritage city, including a boat trip if you prefer water to land.
Lunch will be available in the hotel restaurant (included) if you want a midday break.
Return to the hotel at 18:30 for a group dinner (included) and a lecture by our tour guide, Annie Guilfoyle. Annie will present “Highlights & Design Ideas from the Chelsea Flower Show.“ She will offer an exclusive look at the best gardens, designs and ideas gleaned from this iconic event. As an RHS judge for the past few years, Annie has had unrestricted access and will share her insights. You'll end the night feeling like you've been given an all-access pass to the world's most famous garden show.
Day 8: SUN, JUNE 1 – Depart Bath and transfer to Heathrow
A morning breakfast will be available at the hotel (included) before boarding the coach that will take us to London Heathrow Airport.
Tour members can choose to return with the group for one-way flights to the United States or continue the adventure in England on their own!