British Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show (15 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 15-day journey through the enchanting landscapes of England. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of historical exploration, cultural immersion, and natural beauty. From the bustling streets of London to the tranquil countryside of the Lake District, each day presents a new adventure. Marvel at iconic landmarks, explore world-class gardens, and delve into the rich history of England's oldest cities. Enjoy the company of fellow travellers and the guidance of a knowledgeable Travel Director, ensuring a seamless and enriching travel experience. With comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and a carefully curated itinerary, this tour promises an unforgettable journey through England's most cherished destinations.
Included
1 Afternoon Tea (AT)
Woking: Visit the beautiful gardens of Wisley, which is one of the world's great gardens, packed with horticultural inspiration.
Chelmsford: Visit one of the finest gardens in the East of England with its 365-acre site is a haven of peace and tranquillity, encompassing a diverse mix of garden styles from traditional to modern.
Leeds: During your visit of one of the Treasure Houses of England, Harewood captures your imagination and feeds your curiosity. It's a place filled with art, culture and heritage.
Ripon: Explore a great abbey and elegant water garden at this World Heritage Site. Cistercian monks chose this place to establish Fountains Abbey, then follow the riverside path to Studley Royal, a playful water garden.
Grange-over-Sands: Visit to Holker Hall and its Gardens, the home of the Cavendish Family and is one of the best-loved stately homes in Britain.
Wiltshire: Enjoy a guided visit of the Bowood House has been home to the Lansdowne family since 1754.
Isle of Wight: Visit Osbourne House, a former royal residence designed by Prince Albert himself in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo.
Crawley: Visit this magnificent Grade 1 listed garden was nearly lost forever and has been the subject of the largest garden restoration in England and possibly Europe.
London: Experience the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show, an inspiring and enjoyable showcase of fabulous floral displays and cutting-edge garden design. Immerse yourself in colour and ingenuity as you enjoy the very best show gardens, flowers, and gardening from around the world.
London: See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square. Witness the pomp and pageantry of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (if operating).
Cambridge: Join your Local Expert for a walking tour of a city renowned for its unique, ornate buildings and culture, Cambridge is a historic city full of character.
Hawkshead: Admire the magnificent views of the English Lake District and visit the village of Hawkshead.
Stoke-on-Trent: Explore the magnificent Trentham Gardens. Enjoy glorious ancient woodland, and discover the Italian Gardens, the Rivers of Grass, and the Floral Labyrinth. At its heart is the spectacular, mile long Trentham Lake, a wildlife haven studded with small islands.
Conwy: See Conwy Castle, the magnificent medieval fortress still towering over the town after 700 years. Climb the restored spiral staircase, scale the great towers and walk a complete circle around the battlements. Admire the unbroken town walls of Conwy down and enjoy amazing views out across the craggy mountains of Snowdonia. The spectacular castle was built by King Edward I and his architect Master James of St George in just four years between 1283 and 1287.
Wales: Bodnant is home to the earliest and grandest laburnum arch built in 1880, and to Britain’s earliest magnolias introduced from China in the late 1800s. Admire the fine collection of exotic plants, from the Blue Poppy of the Himalayas to the Fire Bush of the Andes, and enjoy Wales’ largest collection of UK Champion Trees.
Stratford-upon-Avon: Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history's most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses.
Cotswolds: This breathtaking area is about as quintessentially British as it gets. Honey-coloured stone houses line the winding streets of the area’s most beautiful towns and villages, while rapeseed fields decorate this colourful part of the UK in splashes of gold. See the pretty market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, before heading to the historic city of Bath, with its Roman and Georgian architecture.
Bath: During an orientation you will see the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey.
Isle of Wight: Enjoy an orientation drive of this diamond shape island just off the off the south coast of England.
London: Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has over 50,000 living plants within its grounds. Its magnificent scientific collection contains plants from tropical, temperate, arid and alpine climates. Visit stunning glass houses and walk through beautiful, sculptured gardens, featuring floras from Asia to the Alps.
14 night accommodation
6 Dinner with Wine (DW)
14 Breakfast (B)
Chester: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the Jubilee Clock, the cathedral, city walls and famous black and white Rows.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in London
- London - Arrival day
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Welcome to London! Upon arrival at London Heathrow Airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel, The Clermont Victoria (or similar), your home for the next two nights. Nestled near Buckingham Palace, you'll have ample time to explore the surrounding area. Perhaps visit the historical Royal Mews or enjoy a leisurely stroll through Green Park. In the evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a trip briefing and a delightful welcome dinner.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring London
- London
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- Luton Hoo Estate
- Horniman Museum and Gardens
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Kickstart your day with a guided tour of London's iconic landmarks, including Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Trafalgar Square. Admire the royal residence at Buckingham Palace and witness the grandeur of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Later, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Wisley Gardens, a world-class garden gifted to the Royal Horticultural Society. Explore the stunning Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden, the picturesque orchard, and the exotic garden, each offering a sensory delight.
Day 3 – Day 3: Cambridge and RHS Garden Hyde Hall
- Cambridge
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Today, we venture to RHS Garden Hyde Hall, a tranquil oasis in the heart of rural Essex. This garden combines diverse styles and inspirational planting, offering a unique blend of traditional and modern aesthetics. Later, we head to the university city of Cambridge. Join your Local Expert for a walking tour and experience the architectural highlights of some of the world's most famous universities, including Kings College and Trinity College.
Day 4 – Day 4: Harewood House and York
- York
- Leeds
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Our journey today takes us to the historic Georgian Harewood House, one of England's Treasure Houses. Enjoy tea and scones before exploring the State Rooms, home to rare Chippendale furniture and stunning interior designs. Admire the breathtaking views from the award-winning terraces. Our journey continues to York, one of the oldest cities in England, where we'll spend the night.
Day 5 – Day 5: York, Fountains Abbey and Lake District
- York
- Ripon
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Today, your Travel Director will guide you through York, showcasing the York Minster, the city walls, and the medieval Shambles. We then visit the magnificent Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, a World Heritage Site that offers a window into the medieval world. We traverse the Yorkshire Dales to the Lake District, home to some of the most beautiful countryside in the world.
Day 6 – Day 6: Hawkshead and Holker Hall
- Bowness-on-Windermere
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Today, we visit the charming village of Hawkshead, renowned for its whitewashed cottages and cobbled lanes. We then admire the gardens of Holker Hall, which have evolved over centuries under the guidance of the Cavendish Family. Each owner has added new features and plantings, creating a garden rich in character and beauty. Later, you may choose to take a cruise on Lake Windermere.
Day 7 – Day 7: Trentham Gardens and City Exploration
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Stoke-on-Trent
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Our journey today takes us to the magnificent Trentham Gardens. Explore the ancient woodland, the Italian Gardens, the Rivers of Grass, and the Floral Labyrinth. At the heart of the gardens is the spectacular Trentham Lake, a wildlife haven studded with small islands. During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the Jubilee Clock, the city walls, and the famous black and white Rows. The day concludes with a delightful dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8 – Day 8: North Wales and Bodnant Gardens
- Conwy
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Today, we journey into North Wales, passing the imposing Conwy Castle. We then visit the beautiful Bodnant Gardens, home to the earliest and grandest laburnum arch and Britain's earliest magnolias. Admire the fine collection of exotic plants and enjoy Wales' largest collection of UK Champion Trees.
Day 9 – Day 9: Shakespeare's Birthplace and Bath
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- Bath
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Discover the life and works of William Shakespeare as we visit his birthplace, filled with fascinating memorabilia and artefacts. We then cross the beautiful Cotswold hills, a picturesque scene of golden stone villages with roses round the doors. Our journey continues to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, built in amphitheatre style on the surrounding hills. Your Travel Director will introduce you to the Pulteney Bridge and the angels climbing Jacob's Ladder on Bath Abbey.
Day 10 – Day 10: Bowood House & Gardens and Southampton
- Southampton
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After a relaxed start, we delve into the rich history of Bowood House & Gardens, part of a 4,000-acre country estate. Surrounding the Georgian House are the Italian-inspired Terrace Garden, the Private Walled Gardens, and the herbaceous border, all radiating colour throughout the seasons. We then drive through the New Forest to reach Southampton, on the south coast, where we'll spend the night.
Day 11 – Day 11: Isle of Wight and Osbourne House
- Isle of Wight
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- Osborne House
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Today, we explore the Isle of Wight, a favourite holiday spot of Queen Victoria. Visit Osbourne House, her opulent holiday home, and marvel at the gorgeous Italianate architecture and gardens. Enjoy the island's stunning scenery and thatched cottages before returning to the mainland.
Day 12 – Day 12: Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens and Return to London
- London
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We visit Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, which reopened in 2019 after a major restoration project. Set in a steep-sided valley, the gardens offer scenic walks, interlaced lakes, extensive woodlands, and lovely parkland. From March to June, the garden comes alive in a riot of colour. After our visit, we return to London, where you'll have some free time.
Day 13 – Day 13: RHS Chelsea Flower Show
- London
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This morning, we head to the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Be amazed by the extensive displays of show gardens and magnificent floral displays, and pick up tips from the experts. After a day filled with horticultural wonders, we return to the hotel in the afternoon.
Day 14 – Day 14: Kew Gardens
- London
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- Horniman Museum and Gardens
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Today, we visit Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses over 50,000 living plants. Explore the stunning glass houses and walk through beautiful, sculptured gardens, featuring flora from Asia to the Alps. In the evening, we enjoy a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant, the perfect way to conclude our journey.
Day 15 – Day 15: Departure from London
- London - Departure day
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After breakfast, bid farewell to your Travel Director and fellow travel companions. You'll be transferred to London Heathrow Airport for your onward flight, carrying with you the unforgettable memories of your journey through England.
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