Small-group touring and special interest tours are on the rise in popularity as travellers look for ways to immerse themselves in a destination with like-minded people.
Avid gardeners for example are in for a treat with new tours offered by Back-Roads Touring focusing on the best horticultural displays in Britain.
You’ll stop and smell the roses in the scenic towns of Tunbridge Wells and Windsor as you explore stately homes and their prize-winning gardens before continuing to the ultimate grand finale, the Chelsea Flower Show.
Alternatively, open a fairy-tale book of secret tunnels, fabled castles and enchanting gardens on The Garden of England tour. Taking in Canterbury, Rye, Dover and Sissinghurst, this marvellous trip also includes a countryside sojourn aboard a steam train.
The Chelsea Flower Show
Duration: 7-days
Stops: London, Tunbridge Wells, Windsor
Tour Inclusions:
- 6 nights in boutique accommodation
- Experienced Back-Roads Driver/Tour Leader
- Comfortable mini-coach transportation
- Daily Full English breakfasts (B), 3 evening meals (D)
- Entrance included to: Ightham Mote, Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Hever Castle, RHS Garden Wisley, Savill Garden, Waddesdon Manor, Great Dixter, Cliveden & Kew Gardens.
DAY 1: LONDON – IGHTHAM MOTE – SCOTNEY CASTLE – TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Your tour of England’s unparalleled countryside begins at one of the most unique manor houses in the region. Seven-hundred year-old Ightham Mote can only be reached by crossing an ancient stone bridge that spans its own moat.
The next iconic destination is Scotney Castle before your action-packed day finishes in Tunbridge Wells, where you will enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)
Accommodation: Tunbridge Wells Du Vin
DAY 2: TUNBRIDGE WELLS – SISSINGHURST CASTLE – GREAT DIXTER – TUNBRIDGE WELLS
On day 2, the road turns east to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens renowned for its Romantic design and colourful rose arrangements.
Swap architectural layouts for a naturalistic approach to planting at Great Dixter and tour the old, timber-framed house that was home to British gardening royalty, Christopher Lloyd and explore the gardens that were his pride and joy. (B)
Accommodation: Tunbridge Wells Du Vin
DAY 3: TUNBRIDGE WELLS – HEVER CASTLE – RHS GARDEN WISLEY – WINDSOR
Venture to Hever Castle with its award-winning gardens where you will discover the castle that was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second Queen.
Then enjoy the afternoon among the tranquil surrounds of RHS Garden Wisley. Take in the sounds of water flowing through the rock garden or relax in the Alpine meadow, before continuing on to Windsor. (B,D)
Accommodation: Sir Christopher Wren
DAY 4: WINDSOR – THE SAVILL GARDEN – WINDSOR
Rise and shine early for the day ahead. And what better way to spend it than discovering Windsor’s regal highlights? Come together to visit The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park and look out for an array of rare plants from around the world as you walk through its themed gardens that showcase the beauty of the seasons. (B)
Accommodation: Sir Christopher Wren
DAY 5: WINDSOR – WADDESDON MANOR – CLIVEDEN – LONDON
Swap English country houses for an elegant French château at Waddesdon Manor. Marvel at the grand designs at Cliveden with colourful gardens for every season and with glorious views over the River Thames, this truly is something special.
Travel back to London and look forward to the excitement of the last days to come. (B)
Accommodation: Petersham Hotel (or similar)
DAY 6: LONDON – CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW – LONDON
The highlight of your adventure is today – the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – yours to enjoy for a full day. From gardens designed to conjure up a slice of anywhere from Provence to Japan, to urban patches with remarkable water features, this is the place to see the very best of contemporary garden design.
The day is rounded off with a sit down farewell dinner. (B,D)
Accommodation: Petersham Hotel (or similar)
DAY 7: LONDON – KEW GARDENS – LONDON
As the last day dawns, there are still more natural treasures to explore before saying goodbye. For a finishing touch, visit the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. The palm house, a jaw-dropping example of Victorian engineering, is sure to add a final flourish to that holiday photo album. (B)
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The Garden of England
Duration: 5-days
Stops: Canterbury, Rye, Dover, Sissinghurst
Tour Inclusions:
- 4 nights in boutique accommodation
- Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
- Premium mini-coach transportation
- English breakfasts daily (B), 2 evening meals (D)
- Beer tasting in Faversham
- Kent & East Sussex Railway ticket
- Entrance included to: Chartwell, Hever Castle and Gardens, Canterbury Cathedral, Bodiam Castle, Dover Castle, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Rye Heritage Centre and the Monastery in Battle
DAY 1: LONDON – CHARTWELL HOUSE – HEVER CASTLE – CANTERBURY
Today you’re on the trail of statesmen and Tudors as you depart London and travel to Chartwell House. Many know the public face of Sir Winston Churchill, but a chance to see inside Chartwell will give you a glimpse into his private home. The red stone manor is a time capsule of 1930s family life as you explore Churchills’ library, sitting room and study.
Then it’s onwards to Hever Castle, the fairytale childhood home of Anne Boleyn before she became Henry VIII’s ill-fated second wife. Ornamental English rose gardens and the lake that’s ruled by regal swans are superb for strolling around.
Finish the day with a welcome dinner. (D)
Accommodation: Canterbury Lodge
DAY 2: CANTERBURY – WHITSTABLE – CANTERBURY
After breakfast, you will take a circular route to Whitstable. Here, quirky alleyways are home to snug pubs and quaint shops, and you can trace the fishermen’s catch from the pebble beach to the harbour market.
To quench your thirst after all that salty sea air, you will head to Shepherd Neame in Faversham where you’re treated to a tour and the chance to sample the award-winning beers made at Britain’s oldest brewery.
After sufficient time to enjoy the local produce, it’s time to divert your attention to the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral. In this UNESCO World Heritage Site – the oldest working church in England – discover medieval ruins, the oak-roofed monks’ Chapter House and a staggering gothic nave before free time to explore on our own. (B)
Accommodation: Canterbury Lodge
DAY 3: CANTERBURY – TENTERDEN – BODIAM CASTLE – RYE
Step back to the golden age of British transport today as you board the Tenterden Steam Railway to Bodiam, chugging through idyllic rural scenery in a classic carriage. Reaching Bodiam, you’re deep in storybook territory.
With soaring towers, iron-studded wooden portcullis and a surrounding moat, Bodiam Castle is every inch the archetypal castle style. Climb spiral staircases, step onto the great hall dais and look up to spot the murder holes as you pass through the gatehouse.
The third and final destination of the day is Rye, a charm-filled market town in 1066 country where we visit the Rye Heritage Centre. Then, the evening is yours to enjoy. (B)
Accommodation: Mermaid Inn Rye
DAY 4: RYE – DOVER – RYE
Today is dedicate time to Rye, strolling along cobbled lanes lined with timber-clad houses, while swooning over the charms that inspired writers and artists from Henry James to Paul Nash.
Tracing the shoreline, arrive at Dover Castle and the gateway to the English coast. This fortress boasts evocative interiors that tell centuries of historical tales, far-reaching views from the Great Tower and dark medieval tunnels with covert cannons every few paces.
The afternoon will see you back in Rye, where free time allows for the chance to see more of the town before a farewell dinner. (B,D)
Accommodation: Mermaid Inn Rye
DAY 5: RYE – SISSINGHURST – LONDON
In the morning, travel onwards to Battle, to visit the historic Monastery before continuing to Sissinghurst, where poet and writer Vita Sackville-West’s famous gardens are a picture of beauty. It’s the last stop before your tour ends back in the capital of England. (B)
YOUR NEXT GARDEN SHOW GETAWAY STARTS HERE
