Gardens Tours in England
Gardening is more popular in England than anywhere else and this is reflected in the number of gardens open to visit in England. As an island surrounded by choppy seas and protected by a powerful navy, Britain's territory was physically secure from an earlier date than other European countries. English towns could spread beyond their medieval walls much earlier than in continental Europe. Instead of apartment blocks, the typical English dwelling was a small house with a small garden. The aristocracy always wanted 'a place in the country' for the summer and a town house for the winter. Also, the climate is never very cold and partly because it is never very hot. One usually has to be up and doing something.
A wide range of design styles are well represented in England, although the most famous period in English garden history is the eighteenth century, when the original English landscape gardens were made. England has some wonderful cloister gardens attached to the great cathedrals. The best are simple rectangles of grass. England also has many castles - but no ancient castle gardens. Nor are there many renaissance survivals. There are baroque gardens but not nearly so many as in France and Germany. But from the eighteenth century onwards Britain has excellent examples of most styles of garden design.
Escorted Garden Tours in England
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Chelsea Flower Show, 21st May - 24th May 2009
The tour includes a full day at the Chelsea Flower Show, which is the most famous horticultural event in the world, a visit to one of the best known Arts and Crafts gardens in England ( Sissinghurst ), a tour of the RHS's flagship garden ( Wisley ) with its new glasshouse, and a visit to one of most complete historic gardens and estates in England ( Tatton Park ).
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Private Gardens of Cornwall, departing 18th June 2009
Cornish gardens have a very special character, partly because Cornwall is warmer and wetter than most of the UK and partly because the wind has encouraged people to make gardens in well-wooded valleys. The tour visits 10 of the best privately-owned gardens in Cornwall including Tregrehan, Caerhays Castle, Ken-Caro, Marsh Villa, Bosvigo, Lamorran House and Pine Lodge Gardens (pictured left).
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The Gardens of Kent and Sussex, departing 21st August 2009
This is an excellent tour for visitors to London who would like to visit gardens in Kent and Sussex. The countryside is varied, well-wooded and very favoured from the points of view of garden makers and garden visitors. The tour includes visits to Lullingstone Castle, Great Comp, Nymans, Leonardslee, Sissinghurst, Great Dixter and Hever Castle.
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Somerset and Devon, departing 26th June and 14th August 2009
The tour includes Hestercombe (pictured left), Rosemoor, Marwood Hill, East Lambrook Manor, Cothay Manor and Kilver Court.
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Lakeland Gardens, departing 10th July and 11th September 2009
Since Wordsworth's time, the Lake District has been the best-loved scenic area in England. It has woods, forests, bright rivers, beautiful lakes, handsome mountains and attractive gardens. The tour includes visits to Arley Hall, Dove Cottage, Brantwood, Holehird, Holker Hall, Bridgemere Garden World, Yewbarrow House Gardens and Levens Hall (pictured left).
Tarka Garden Tours, +44 (0) 1271 375002
Small personal guided tours, visiting private & great gardens on the scenic north coast of Devon, Somerset & Cornwall, leisurely pace, exclusive accommodation package available.
Flora Garden Tours, +44 (0) 1366 328 946
Flora Garden Tours take small groups of up to 12 people to the best English gardens - large and small. The tours last 3-6 days but special interest tours can be run to suit your group. The tour director, Dr. Barbara Sommerville, guides all tours and gives an entertaining slide talk each evening illustrating a range of garden topics.www.flora-garden-tours.co.uk or enquiries@flora-garden-tours.co.uk.
Adderley Travel, +44 (0) 1953 606 706
Adderley Travel Limited specialise in quality, small-group (max. 12 people) garden tours throughout Britain, especially for overseas visitors to the United Kingdom.
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Carlson Wagonit - Highlights of British Isles, departing 5th July 2009
Featuring the RHS Hampton Court Flower. This tour is personally escorted by Majorie Mason of Mason Hogue Gardens in Uxbridge Ontario.