StorringtonSissinghurstGreat Dixter London BathCotswolds Highgrove
This picturesque journey through the stunning English gardens will take you to renowned locations such as Arundel, Storrington, Sissinghurst, and Great Dixter. The tour will also include visits to the historic Battle Abbey, the charming towns of Woking, Burford, and Broadway, and the scenic beauty of the Cotswolds and Bath. Additionally, we’ll have the privilege of exploring the gardens at Highgrove and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of London, including a visit to the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show.
Itinerary Highlights
Visit The Chelsea Flower Show
Tour some of Englands most renowned gardens
Explore historic towns and cities
Learn the art of the English Garden
Visit the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
08
Nights
Price Guide
$POA
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to London
Day 1
Arrive London
Upon arrival you will be met by your local representative and transferred privately to your hotel and assisted with check-in.
Day 2
Arundel & Storrington
This morning, head to nearby 900-year-old Arundel Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk, with your driver guide. Tour the gardens before visiting the castle. As an optional extra, you may wish to have a private tour of the castle. Also enjoy time in the town of Arundel, visiting the imposing Roman Catholic Cathedral. Later proceed to Storrington to visit Parham House, built in the late 16th century. The landscaped Pleasure Grounds include Veronica’s Maze, named after Veronica Tritton, built in 1991 as part of the celebrations for “The Year of the Maze”. Made of brick and turf, its design is based on the beautiful 16th-century embroidery on the Great Bed in the house. The Walled Garden originates from the 18th Century, although it is likely that the ground had been cultivated for centuries before that. Vibrant with colour, it is run on organic principles, and is designed for a long season with a romantic mixed and herbaceous border.
Day 3
Sissinghurst, Great Dixter & Battle Abbey
Today drive to Sissinghurst, a prime example of the Arts & Crafts style. The garden has been created on the site of a medieval manor and some of the structures are still surviving. Harold Nicolson, a diplomat and author, laid down the main lines of the Sissinghurst design in the 1930s. His wife Vita Sackville-West, a poet and garden writer, took responsibility for the planting. She worked as an ‘artist-gardener’, particularly gifted in planting design. The historical importance of Sissinghurst Castle Garden comes from its role in transmitting Gertrude Jekyll’s design philosophy to a host of visitors. The most famous and influential feature of Sissinghurst is the White Garden, which exemplifies Jekyll’s idea of using colour themes in planting design.
In the afternoon visit the late Christopher Lloyd’s garden at Great Dixter. The plot is composed of a series of smaller gardens including a fine topiary garden, rose garden, kitchen garden – an attractive mingling of vegetables and flowers, and a large orchard with many pockets of wild flowers and a magnificent herbaceous border in summer.
Before heading back to Amberley, take the opportunity to visit Battle Abbey, built on the site of the Battle of Hastings. Here a fascinating exhibition featuring CGI film and interactive displays tells the story of the greatest battle in English history and paints a picture of England at the time of the conquest. Explore the atmospheric abbey ruins and stand on the very spot where King Harold is said to have died.
Day 4
Amberley, Woking, Burford & Buckland Manor
Leave Amberley after breakfast and drive north to Woking to visit Wisley, the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society for over 100 years. Here you can enjoy the tender plant collection housed in the cathedrallike Glasshouse. Journey north to Broadway, stopping en route in the quaint Cotswold village of Burford for afternoon tea (payable locally).
Day 5
The Cotswolds
At the very north end of the Cotswold hills you will reach the gardens of Hidcote Manor, some of England’s greatest gardens that are generally considered to be real Arts & Crafts masterpieces. Here you will be guided through the series of outdoor ‘rooms’, each with its own unique character. See old roses, unusual plants and trees from around the world. Nestled in the Cotswolds, the garden enjoys stunning panoramas across the Vale of Evesham.
Afterwards visit Kiftsgate Court Gardens, just a five-minute walk away. Like Hidcote, this is a series of interconnecting gardens each with its own distinct character and secrets. The upper gardens surrounding the house are planted to present harmonious colour schemes, whilst the sheltered lower gardens provide a home for plants from warmer climes and recreate the atmosphere of the Mediterranean. The garden also claims to be home to the largest rose in England! Drive to the lovely town of Chipping Campden with its attractive High Street, its Jacobean Market Hall and impressive Church of St James. Later in the afternoon return to Buckland Manor.
Day 6
Bath & Highgrove
This morning drive to the elegant spa resort of Bath, justly renowned for the beauty of its urban architecture. Much of Bath was designed and laid out in characteristic honey-coloured ‘Bath stone’ in the 18th century when the city became extremely fashionable. Admire the graceful Georgian buildings and crescents, and visit the original Roman baths, founded in the 1st century AD. Also visit the Pump Room and the Abbey with its glorious 15th-century fan-vaulted ceiling. After time at leisure for lunch, drive to Highgrove, one of the residences of King Charles III since 1980. Here you enjoy a public tour of the delightful gardens.
Day 7
Buckland Manor – London
Depart from the Cotswold’s today and drive to Woodstock, near Oxford, to visit Blenheim Palace. Set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the magnificent palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns, award-winning formal gardens and a great lake. Here you can learn about Winston Churchill (born here in 1874), examining the breadth of talent, achievement and personality of the ‘Greatest Briton’: soldier, politician, statesman, painter, writer, orator, family man – and bricklayer!
Day 8
The Chelsea Flower Show
This morning transfer to the Royal Chelsea Hospital to attend the opening day of the Chelsea Flower Show, perhaps the most famous flower show in the world. Enjoy time to explore the show independently before being transferred back to your hotel.
Day 9
Depart London
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $POA
When to travel
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England has a temperate maritime climate, with mild temperatures and rainfall throughout the year. The average temperature in England ranges from 5°C in winter to 20°C in summer, making it a great destination to visit all year round. However, the best time to travel to England is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is warm and sunny. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and save money, the shoulder seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are also great times to visit.
In January, England experiences winter season, with temperatures ranging from 2°C to 7°C. The weather is usually cold, wet, and windy, with occasional snowfall in some parts of the country. It's important to pack warm clothes, such as a heavy coat, gloves, and a hat if you plan to visit England during this time. Despite the chilly weather, January can still be a great time to visit England, as there are fewer tourists, and you can enjoy the beautiful winter scenery.
In February, England still experiences winter season, with temperatures ranging from 2°C to 8°C. The weather is usually quite similar to January, with cold and wet conditions, and occasional snowfall in some areas. It's important to bring warm clothes, such as a heavy coat, gloves, and a hat if you plan to visit England during this time. Despite the chilly weather, February can still be a great time to visit England, as there are fewer tourists, and you can enjoy the beautiful winter scenery.
In March, England begins to transition to spring season, with temperatures ranging from 4°C to 11°C. The weather is still chilly, but it starts to get milder as the month progresses. There may be occasional rainfall, but overall, the weather is generally drier than in the winter months. It's still important to bring warm clothes, but you can also start to pack some lighter layers. March is a great time to visit England if you're looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy the start of spring. You can enjoy beautiful blooming flowers, crisp air, and some sunny days.
In April, England experiences spring season, with temperatures ranging from 6°C to 14°C. The weather is generally mild, with occasional rainfall throughout the month. You can start to pack some lighter layers, but it's still a good idea to bring some warm clothes, just in case. April is a great time to visit England if you're looking to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery, including blooming flowers and trees, and some sunny days. It's a great time to visit some of the country's famous gardens and parks, such as Kew Gardens or Hyde Park.
In May, England experiences spring season, with temperatures ranging from 9°C to 17°C. The weather is generally mild and pleasant, with occasional rainfall throughout the month. You can start to pack lighter clothes, such as short-sleeved shirts and dresses, but it's still a good idea to bring some warm layers for the cooler evenings. May is a great time to visit England if you're looking to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery, including blooming flowers and trees, and some sunny days. It's a great time to visit some of the country's famous gardens and parks, such as the Chelsea Flower Show or the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.
In June, England experiences summer season, with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 20°C. The weather is generally warm and pleasant, with occasional rainfall throughout the month. You can pack lighter clothes, such as short-sleeved shirts, dresses, and shorts, as well as some light layers for the cooler evenings. June is a great time to visit England if you're looking to enjoy the beautiful summer scenery, including lush greenery and some sunny days. It's a great time to visit some of the country's famous beaches, such as Brighton or Cornwall, or to enjoy some outdoor activities, such as hiking or cycling.
In July, England experiences summer season, with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 22°C. The weather is generally warm and pleasant, with occasional rainfall throughout the month. You can pack lighter clothes, such as short-sleeved shirts, dresses, and shorts, as well as some light layers for the cooler evenings. July is a great time to visit England if you're looking to enjoy the beautiful summer scenery, including lush greenery and some sunny days. It's a great time to visit some of the country's famous beaches, such as Bournemouth or Devon, or to enjoy some outdoor activities, such as picnicking or boating.
In August, England experiences summer season, with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 22°C. The weather is generally warm and pleasant, with occasional rainfall throughout the month. You can pack lighter clothes, such as short-sleeved shirts, dresses, and shorts, as well as some light layers for the cooler evenings. August is a great time to visit England if you're looking to enjoy the beautiful summer scenery, including lush greenery and some sunny days. It's a great time to visit some of the country's famous attractions, such as the Tower of London or Stonehenge, or to enjoy some outdoor festivals and events, such as the Notting Hill Carnival or the Edinburgh International Festival.
In September, England begins to transition to autumn season, with temperatures ranging from 11°C to 18°C. The weather is generally mild, with occasional rainfall throughout the month. You can start to pack some warmer clothes, such as light jackets and sweaters, as the evenings can get cooler. September is a great time to visit England if you're looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery, including changing leaves and some sunny days. It's a great time to visit some of the country's famous historic sites, such as Bath or Oxford, or to enjoy some outdoor activities, such as hiking or cycling.
In October, England experiences autumn season, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 14°C. The weather is generally cool and crisp, with occasional rainfall throughout the month. You should pack warmer clothes, such as jackets, sweaters, and scarves, as the weather can get chilly. October is a great time to visit England if you're looking to enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery, including changing leaves and some sunny days. It's a great time to visit some of the country's famous museums and galleries, such as the British Museum or the National Gallery, or to enjoy some seasonal activities, such as apple picking or pumpkin carving.
In November, England experiences autumn season, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 10°C. The weather is generally cool and damp, with occasional rainfall throughout the month. You should pack warm clothes, such as jackets, sweaters, and scarves, as the weather can get chilly. November is a great time to visit England if you're looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery, including changing leaves and some crisp days. It's a great time to visit some of the country's famous castles and stately homes, such as Windsor Castle or Chatsworth House, or to enjoy some seasonal activities, such as visiting Christmas markets or ice skating.
In December, England experiences winter season, with temperatures ranging from 2°C to 8°C. The weather is generally cold and damp, with occasional snowfall in some parts of the country. You should pack warm clothes, such as heavy coats, gloves, and hats, as well as some festive attire if you plan to celebrate Christmas or New Year's Eve in England. December is a great time to visit England if you're looking to enjoy the festive atmosphere, including Christmas lights and markets, or to enjoy some indoor activities, such as visiting museums or attending theater performances.
Add on’s
After immersing yourself in the beauty of English gardens, consider exploring the enchanting gardens and landscapes of other countries. From the intricate designs of French formal gardens to the vibrant colours of Italian gardens, Europe offers a wide array of stunning horticultural destinations.
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