Chelsea and the Best of the
Best English Gardens

Specially prepared for the
Northwest Pacific Gardeners and Friends

Personally escorted by Dee Montpetit

19 May – 02 Jun 2012

19 May Saturday Depart on BA 48 Departs Seattle 645pm Arrives London Heathrow 1150am (19May)

20 May–Glorious sunshine will surely greet our arrival in London this morning.  Our coach will directly whisk us away through the garden of England, Kent and Penshurst Place for our desperately needed morning coffee. This is a castellated medieval house, where the garden was one of the first to be restored to its “Old English Style”. A second restoration began in the 1970’s. The gardens have a series of rectangular enclosures treated in different ways Bloomfield wrote that “Nothing can be more beautiful than some of the walks under the apple trees in the gardens of Penshurst.”  We have now had a breath of fresh air and introduction to English gardens prior to checking-in to our hotel nearby. Welcome dinner at Hotel this evening. BD

21 May – Our first exciting morning discovery will be Sissinghurst Castle (not really a castle) where we have a welcome introduction before we delight in these garden rooms at our leisure. Sissinghurst is more than a garden. It is a garden in the ruin of an Elizabethan house, set in the middle of its own woods, streams and farmland and with long views on all sides across the fields and meadows of the Kentish landscape. When Harold Nicolson, the writer and diplomat, and Vita Sackville-West, poet, novelist and gardener, first came here in 1930, Sissinghurst was dripping in its own inheritance; it had been a medieval manor house and was visited by Queen Elizabeth in the 16th century before falling into ruins and being mistreated for nearly 300 years. Visit the beautiful, romantic garden – full of colour all season. Scotney Castle (a real castle ruin) is located close to Hotel and considered one of the 10 best Spring Gardens.  Scotney is not one but two houses. At the top of the hill is the new house, designed by Anthony Salvin in Elizabethan style and built in 1837 for Edward Hussey III, who took the ‘Picturesque’ style as his inspiration. At the bottom of the valley are the romantic ruins of a medieval castle and moat. This is the focal point of the celebrated gardens featuring spectacular displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and kalmia.. Dinner at the Hotel this evening BD

22 May - Wisley will always be an inspiration to all avid gardeners. Today the wisteria may well be in bloom and also the handkerchief trees, so many photo opportunities exist everywhere. The best selection of gardening books in the country can be found here along with the reference library available to all. The cafeteria-style luncheon facilities here are excellent.  This will be your free evening to discover the town of Tunbridge Wells, stroll through’ The Pantiles’ elegant, pedestrian walkways leaving behind the pressures of everyday life. You could simply relax at the Hotel or visit Nottcutts Garden Centre, just down the road in Pembury. B

23 May - Sheffield Park is a requested garden for Sharon. This magnificent informal landscape garden was laid out in the 18th century by 'Capability' Brown and further developed in the early years of the 20th century by its owner, Arthur G. Soames. The original four lakes form the centrepiece. There are dramatic shows of daffodils and bluebells in spring, and the rhododendrons, including many rare trees and shrubs. We should check the ‘What’s in the garden' board where there may be a cricket match being played on the historic cricket pitch. before we have to tear ourselves away to explore Christopher Lloyd’s garden at Great Dixter BD.

24 May Chartwell, Churchill’s family home in Westerham, is modern history day as we tour the house and garden where he constructed a wall while contemplating strategies during WW2.  At the lower end of the garden area we find his studio containing many of his oil paintings and absorb the lovely views over the weald.
We continue into central London to explore Hampton Court Palace and formal gardens stretching down to the Thames. First we tour Henry VIII's Apartments and the display in the Council Chamber, then through the Tudor Kitchens and Young Henry VIII exhibition.  The maze will take about 20minutes to get to the center. Our hotel in Westminster is centrally located and could be walking distance to the Chelsea Flower Show for the really fit. BD

25 May CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW – FULL DAY VISIT – Please be aware that we are no longer permitted to leave and return on any Chelsea ticket. Official programmes will be provided prior to arrival at Chelsea. It is suggested to check the previous evening news programmes on TV where noted gardeners offer advice and opinions and announce the winners of the Best in Show Gardens.  The Queen’s visit, on opening day, is always a televised event.  This would be a good evening to arrange your theatre visit. May we assist with your requests? B

26 May This morning we will discover the Museum of Garden History on the South Bank as we enjoy a sightseeing tour of central London’s highlights such as Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square. We plan to spend the balance of this day exploring Kew Gardens in lilac time. There is so much to see here in the glasshouses, landscapes and 250 years of history at the world's most famous garden. This evening is free for personal pursuits, shopping, a walk in the park, or even an early night .B

27 May –. We continue our adventure northward with a tour of Oxford, University City of spires and then find peace in the Cotswolds for 2 nights. This will doubtless be a slight change of pace and emphasizes the tapestry that is England. Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s birthplace is in this area and the Spa town of Cheltenham, where our Hotel is located. BD

28 May - Relax and unwind in one of the country's great gardens at Hidcote Manor and experience for yourself the fulfilment of a gardeners” English fantasy”. We will not soon forget the exquisite garden rooms, each with its own unique character. Discover rare shrubs and trees, herbaceous borders and unusual plants from around the world. Nestled in the Cotswolds with sweeping views across the Vale of Evesham, a visit to Hidcote is inspirational at any time of year. Kifts Gate - These gardens are a plants man’s delight, reflecting the pleasure the family has had collecting species from all over the world. At any time of the year there is something of interest to draw us back again and again. The upper gardens surrounding the house are planted to give harmonious colour schemes, whilst the sheltered lower gardens provide a home for plants from warmer climates and recreate the atmosphere of the Mediterranean. We may just catch a glimpse of the bluebells in the woods in these areas. Dinner at our Hotel BD

29 May – We plan a short coffee break at Stratford-on-Avon where we can feed the swans around the Shakespeare Theatre, and then we head further north to Powis Castle for our garden visit. Set amidst glorious countryside near to the Welsh border, this world-famous garden is overhung with clipped yews which shelter the rare and tender plants. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, it retains its original lead statues and an orangery on the terraces. Each generation of the Herbert family has been adding to the magnificent collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and tapestries. A superb collection of treasures from India is displayed in the Clive Museum. The medieval market town of Shrewsbury receives many accolades for its annual prestigious annual Flower Show and will welcome us for 2 nights. Dinner at Hotel  DB.

30 May – Hardwick Hall, one of the most splendid houses in England was built by Bess of Hardwick in the 1590s and, although unaltered since, its huge windows and high ceilings make it feel strikingly modern. Climbing up through the house, from one spectacular floor to the next, is a thrilling architectural experience. Rich tapestries, plaster friezes and alabaster fireplaces colour the rooms, culminating in the hauntingly atmospheric Long Gallery. Chatsworth House and garden is famous for the Cascade waterfall. The Display Greenhouse (1970) is in a modern style, but is unobtrusively sited behind the First Duke's greenhouse. It has three climate zones, tropical, Mediterranean and temperate. The Cottage Garden was inspired by an exhibit at the 1988 Chelsea Flower Show. The Kitchen walled garden is a productive fruit and vegetable garden with decorative features. The Sensory Garden is fully accessible to the disabled and features many fragrant flowers. This evening is free to explore the medieval market town of Shrewsbury, a winner of International Communities in Bloom and home to the Annual Flower Show. B
 
31 May – Our tour now takes us through the picturesque Welsh Borders as we head for Bath and Stourhead prior to our arrival in Windsor. Stourhead is jewelled parkland. The lake and house are at the heart of a 1,072-hectare (2,650-acre) estate where chalk downs, ancient woods and farmland are managed for people and wildlife to enjoy.  Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. It covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people. To watch the new Guards march up the High Street you need to be positioned in the High Street at 10.50am. Our Hotel is centrally located in the town so is great for our shoppers. Our walkers may stroll over the Thames to Eton or explore Windsor Great Park.BD

01 June– Our free day for some last minute shopping or visit Windsor Castle where many of our guests are intrigued to see Queen Victoria’s dolls house. Savill Garden, which will appeal to the avid gardener and rose grower, is in this area. We now prepare for our farewell dinner at Hotel.

02 June - Check out by 10am for our return flight British Airways 49 Departing London Heathrow 305pm Arrives Seattle 440pm with fond memories of your Gardeners World tour.

Please note that flight times are subject to change.

Cost:

$4199.00 per person twin occupancy.  Limited single accommodation available on request.

Group Air with British Airways non- stop Seattle London available – Karen@cwttravelsource.com
1-877-449-4652 toll free.

Deposit $500.00 per person due at time of booking. Final payment due 19 February 2012 .

Cancellation insurance is  available and highly recommended.

Inclusions:

• 13 night’s accommodations in 3 / 4 star hotels- non-smoking rooms – limited single accommodation on request.

• Breakfast daily, 10 evening dinners as noted-3 meal choices include vegetarian selection, tea or coffee.

• Luxury touring coach and driver.

• Entrances to all attractions – full day Chelsea tickets and programmes

• MEMBERSHIP Royal Oak Foundation for access to all National Trust properties in UK

Carlson Wagonlit Travel Source registration #- 1090873

VALID US or Canadian  PASSPORT REQUIRED