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Gardens of Cornwall
and the West Country
8 days including arrival day in London
The south-west corner of England enjoys a more temperate climate than the remainder of the country. Here, the warm Gulf Stream washes the coast and the soft undulations of the hills and high hedgerows shield gardens from the ravages of the worst weather. It’s not surprising, therefore, to find a concentration of England’s finest gardens all gathered here, although first time visitors do gasp at the profusion of species, even finding palm trees totally unexpected!
Our tour features a diverse selection of the best gardens - large and small, public and private, formal, wild and tropical. All of these stunning horticultural landscapes along with the charming local sites, quaint harbors, rugged coastline, ancient stone circles, freshly caught seafood, local specialties of pasties and cream teas to sample and last but not least, the friendliness of the local people.
According to the Cornwall Gardens Guide, “Cornwall is often described as the 'garden capital of the world' as the lush vegetation and colour give garden lovers a feast for the eyes all year round.” Come and see it for yourself!
We also offer a Chelsea Flower Show, Gardens of Kent & Cotswolds tour and Garden Tours throughout the year.
Available at any date for private groups of 2 – 15 people, subject to availability. Rates are based upon vehicle and guide hire per day; groups of 7 - 15 would have a per person rate same/similar to one of our scheduled tours of the same length.
Price: dependent upon how many are in your party; please contact us for a quote. Contact us for availability and rate quote: specialgrouptours@yahoo.com
Please note, this is a suggested itinerary. It may be revised to suit your individual group needs.
This tour begins and ends in London.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Day 1, Saturday
Welcome to London! You have the day free to recover from your flight and explore as you wish.
Perhaps you will choose to go around on the “Big Bus”, the best introduction to the iconic sites of the Capitol. Hop off when you want then hop back on - a fun way to start your holiday!
SGT highly recommends a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral during your time in London. Their new included multi-media personal Ipod Touch tour guide brings hundreds of years of British history to life - literary at your fingertips! Avoid the queues/lines and pre-book your tickets via us. We can also assist you with pre-booking The Tower of London tickets too. Ask us for details.
Alternatively, London has a wide array of public parks and gardens of all shapes and sizes. The Royal Gardens at Kew is a popular choice. This is one of the world's largest botanical gardens featuring about 121 hectacres of gardens including glasshouses, Japanese gardens, an orangery, Kew Palace, and a treetop walkway. Spoilt for choice in the Capitol!
NIGHTSTOP: London (accommodation is included tonight)
Day 2, Sunday
We make our way out of London, beginning our gardens adventure with a place that requires no introduction – the RHS Wisley is known the world over, and with good reason! We will spend time exploring the rock garden, alpine garden, wild garden, formal rose courtyards and all that this wonderful place has to offer.
Our next place of interest has heaps to discover including the Gothic remains of the original 13th-century Augustinian priory. Mottisfont Abbey is set alongside the River Test on a tranquil, rural estate and houses the National Collection of old-fashioned roses. Surely this will be a ‘bloomin’ treat on our June visit!
Our night stop location is a lovely Dorsetshire village, a setting for Thomas Hardy as his ‘Casterbridge.’
NIGHTSTOP: Dorchester
Day 3, Monday
We’ve some amazing gardens right on our doorstep! Kingston Maurwood College Gardens is in the Arts and Crafts style of the Edwardian period. The series of garden rooms, enclosed within splendid stone terraces, balustrading, steps and yew hedges including water features and topiary, were designed by Sir Cecil and Lady Hanbury, great benefactors of the RHS.
Later, we will make our way across the dramatic Dartmoor Moors – and if we’re lucky catch a glimpse of a famed Dartmoor pony - en-route to our next garden of interest.
Eden Project is the progressive endeavor located in an old disused quarry. Its aim is to demonstrate as many aspects of the world’s bio-diversity as is possible, in the correct ecological context. The actual site looks like a moon settlement with its massive glass pods.
NIGHTSTOP: Falmouth area
Day 4, Tuesday
Today we will explore the amazing gardens around the harbor of Falmouth. We will certain have time in Trebah Gardens this morning. Trebah is a uniquely beautiful, wooded 25 acre sub-tropical ravine garden with its own beach on the beautiful Helford River. It is the wild and magical result of 160 years of inspired and dedicated creation.
The rest of the day is up to you and your tour companions! There are a wide variety of gardens to choose from and your guide will take ‘soundings’ as to what places of interest just can’t be missed. We’ll be able to mould the schedule around participant interest as well as weather conditions. Your choices will include several private gardens in addition to the better-known icons. Maybe, if feeling adventurous, the group could take a ferry from Trebah to Glendurgan to explore the subtropical gardens and laurel maze dating from 1833? Spoilt for choice!
NIGHTSTOP: Falmouth area
Day 5, Wednesday (ND)
Today gives you the chance to explore at your leisure. You may choose to simply explore Falmouth with local shopping, catch up with some ‘housekeeping’ or relax in a café with a cream tea. Alternatively, there’s the National Maritime Museum, Pendennis Castle and even more area gardens to explore. Maybe take the foot ferry from Falmouth to Trelissick? It is up to you! Whatever your choice, your guide will be there to advise and assist in planning the day. Dinner is not included tonight for flexibility’s sake.
NIGHTSTOP: Falmouth area
Day 6, Thursday
The Lost Gardens of Helligan is first on our agenda today. This amazing place represents Europe’s largest restoration project with over 80 acres of award winning landscape, a super walled garden of exotic fruit and 22 acre ‘jungle.’
As we make our way up the coast this afternoon, we may find some time to explore one or two of the pretty villages en-route, such as Clovelly, where donkeys are still used to haul goods and people up and down the narrow cobbled street to the sea. This village also offers a small but lovely garden, so a great choice for our theme.
NIGHTSTOP: Barnstaple
Day 7, Friday
This morning, we can choose some time at either Tapeley Park or Marwood Hill but we will want to leave ample time for our main attraction today, the RHS Rosemoor.
RHS Rosemoor, created and given to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1988 by Lady Anne Berry, this magnificent garden has been developed into a joyous 65 acres of gardens and woodlands. Highlights include Herb and Cottage Gardens, a Potager, a Fruit and Vegetable Garden, two beautiful Rose Gardens, a Foliage and Plantsman's Garden.
NIGHTSTOP: Barnstaple
Day 8, Saturday
Via the landscape of the Exmoor Moors, we will pay a visit to the charming Victorian country house, Knightshays Court. The gardens here feature lily pools, floral borders, amusing topiary and a newly restored kitchen garden.
Thence, we make our way back into London. We are spoilt for choice as we will meander our way via one or two of the small, lovely Hampshire gardens. Dinner is not included tonight for flexibility’s sake.
OVERNIGHT: London (accommodation is included in your package tonight)
Day 9, Sunday
Your package includes breakfast at your hotel this morning. After breakfast, make your way to the airport for your flight home or we are happy to assist you with extending your stay if you wish.
Optional tour add-ons are available for a supplemental fee including airport transfers, additional nights London accommodation, “Big Bus” tickets, London transport passes, London city tours or private touring extensions visiting some of the glorious London area gardens such as Kew, Syon House, Kenwood and more. Please discuss options with us!
Please Note: All attraction opening times are correct at time of printing this website. While we do our utmost to include all properties, we reserve the right to change an attraction should it become impossible to visit due to change in opening times, days.
For information about more garden tours available throughout the year, please visit our Garden Tours page.
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