A once-in-a-lifetime trip for R27,000 including flights from Jhb
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Depart Cape Town
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Arrive in London, After meeting our driver and guide, we start our tour with a continental breakfast at a nearby hotel, which will give us time to freshen up before we start our day of garden adventure.
Our first garden on the tour is the ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S GARDEN AT WISLEY – a must on any tour. Wisley is a very beautiful garden with romantic half-timbered Tudor-style buildings. The soil is mainly acid sand which is poor in nutrients and fast draining. There is a canal designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, a rock garden, formal and walled gardens, mixed borders, a rose garden, rock garden, glasshouses, a fruit field and an arboretum. Then there are the alpine gardens, the model vegetable gardens and a country garden by Penelope Hobhouse.
The Horticultural Society was given Wisley in 1903, although only a small only a small part of the 60-acre estate was actually cultivated as a garden, the remainder being wooded farmland. The original garden was the creation of George Ferguson Wilson - businessman, scientist, inventor and keen gardener and a former Treasurer of the Society. In 1878 he purchased the site and established the 'Oakwood experimental garden', with the idea of making 'difficult plants grow successfully'. The garden acquired a reputation for its collections of lilies, gentians, Japanese irises, primulas and water plants. The present Wild Garden at Wisley is the direct descendant of Oakwood and despite changes is still true to the original concept. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
Wisley has the greatest book and gift shop as well, so save room in your suitcase to take a few well chosen garden books home with you. There will be time for you to browse and have a bite of lunch (not included) before we make our way southwards to NYMAN’S GARDEN.
In the late 19th century an unusually creative family bought the Nymans estate, in the picturesque High Weald landscape of Sussex, to make a home in the country. Inspired by the setting and the soil, the Messels created one of the great gardens, with experimental designs and new plants from around the world.
The present house and garden reflects most strongly the influence of Leonard Messel and his wife Maud who inherited in 1915 and had three children. One of these was Oliver, one of the most creative theatre designers of his day, whose nephew was Lord Snowdon. In total three generations of the Messel family have lived at Nymans, from the late 1800's until 1947 when the house was tragically destroyed by fire. Subsequently the surviving rooms were still used, occasionally to entertain friends and as a base from which to run the garden. Following Col. Messel's death in 1953, Nymans became one of the first gardens to be transferred to the National Trust. The garden covers approximately 30 acres. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans/
We make our way to THE GRAND HOTEL in Eastbourne. The Grand Hotel is a Victorian hotel also known as the 'White Palace' is located on King Edwards Parade, Eastbourne in East Sussex. The hotel commands breathtaking views of the sea and the dramatic cliffs at Beachy Head. The Grand is a landmark on the Eastbourne seafront, as is only a short walk from the Pier in one direction, and the glorious Sussex downs in the other.
In 1874, a local resident William Earp proposed to build a hotel with a 400-foot frontage at a cost of £50,000. The result was the Grand Hotel, constructed in 1875. The Grand Hotel is well-known for its long association with music. Claude Debussy completed his symphony 'La Mer' in Suite 200 in 1905. Suite 200 is now known as the Debussy Suite. During the Second World War, Eastbourne was easy prey to air raids and the hotel eventually closed down and became a military headquarters. The hotel was taken over by the De Vere Hotel Group in 1965 and then by Elite Hotels in 1998 when a complete refurbishment took place.
We will be spending the next four nights at this wonderful hotel on a bed & breakfast basis.
Friday, 18 May 2012
PASHLEY MANOR is the very essence of an English Garden, surrounding a private Grade 1 listed timber- framed Tudor house, built in about 1550 and enlarged in 1720, with the addition of a Georgian facade. The Gardens are set in a well-wooded park with superb views over the surrounding countryside. The estate can be traced back to 1262, when the de Passele family built a moated Manor and held the estate until 1453, when it was sold to the forebears of Anne Boleyn. The present owners Mr and Mrs James Sellick opened the gardens to the public in 1992 and have brought them to their present splendor with the assistance of friend and eminent landscape architect Anthony du Gard Pasley. The 11 acres of Gardens offer a sumptuous blend of romantic landscaping, imaginative plantings and fine old trees, fountains, springs and large ponds. This is an English Garden of a very individual character, with exceptional views to the surrounding valleyed fields. Many eras of English History are reflected here, encapsulating the tradition of the English Country House and it’s Garden. Our visit to Pashley manor will include an introductory talk by Head Gardener or the owner, Mr Sellick.
MERRIMENTS GARDENS at Hurst Green, Kent is an eight-acre site divided equally between nursery and garden. This half-and-half layout, started 13 years by the Buchele family, gives the plant lover an ideal opportunity to see how different varieties combine and perform in real settings. The gardens include a bog garden, a damp garden, a scree bed and a spring border. There are colour-themed borders, too, which use a mixture of shrubs, perennials and annuals.
The garden is a masterpiece of colour composition; the deeply planted curved borders are colour themed and include many rare plants. They combine together to form creative pictures that are inspirational and change with the seasons. From spring to autumn the careful mix of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses provide interest and imaginative colour combinations. Combine this with the ability to purchase these often unique plants at the nursery on completing your tour and you are in a gardeners’ heaven. To add interest, there is a wild area in the garden which includes a bird watching hide, with multiple bird feeders that attract a large variety of wild birds.
We may enjoy a private visit to a very special 4-acre garden; TIDEBROOK MANOR in Ticehurst, with outstanding views and set in the heart of the Sussex countryside. Tidebrook Manor has been lovingly and beautifully refurbished by the owners and their expert and cricket-mad gardener. Large mixed borders, lawns, meadows, hydrangea walk, wild woodland, productive kitchen garden - a fascinating mix of planting styles, colours and textures providing interest all year.
We end the day with a visit to TINKER’S BRIDGE COTTAGE GARDEN, also in Ticehurst - 12 landscaped acres; a stream garden near the house (not open) leading to herbaceous borders, wildlife meadow with ponds and woodland walks. The gardens are owned by Mrs Landsberg, who will show us around.
Saturday, 19 May 2012
We start our day with a visit to Sissinghurst gardens followed by a visit to Great Dixter.
SISSINGHURST GARDENS is one of the world's most celebrated gardens, the creation of Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson. Vita Sackville-West was a writer and a member of the Bloomsbury set in the 1920s but today she is known more for her love affair with Virginia Woolf. She is also famous for the wonderful garden she created with her husband, historian and diarist Harold Nicolson at Sissinghurst Castle.
Situated in the Weald of Kent is Sissinghurst Castle, once a grand Elizabethan Manor House, now sadly only a fraction of its former size, but still surrounded by beautiful countryside. As Kent is so often referred to as 'the Garden of England', Sissinghurst is as equally renowned for its splendid gardens.
The history of Sissinghurst Castle has always been very closely linked to the soil, and it was originally a medieval manor farm. Originally the land was owned by the De Saxingherstes, but by the middle of the 13th century the family line had come to an end. However, the Manor had established itself as being of local importance. Formerly moated - although only three sides still exist, two containing water and one side having been slightly raised to provide a grass walk - the house was sufficiently large and comfortable enough for King Edward I to stay during the 14th century, probably with the De Berham family. They owned Sissinghurst Castle for more than 200 years, until Henry de Berham decided to move to another manor, and sold his home to Thomas Baker.
Now more than eighty years later, this couple's vision of a truly English garden is realized and enjoyed every summer by thousands of visitors from around the world, seeing the perfection of the very famous white garden; the profusion of lovely old roses billowing through trees and over walls; the Nuttery carpeted in primroses and polyanthus; the spring bulbs in the Lime Walk known as the Spring Garden; the decorative Wild Garden in the orchard. Vita Sackville-West's borders of carefully shaded and blending colours are equaled only by Gertrude Jekyll's earlier herbaceous borders. Vistas of glorious colour so beautifully balanced, by Harold Nicolson's severity of design in each area. The gardens give an overwhelming impression of abundance and romanticism. Rare plants mingle with traditional English cottage garden flowers. Surprising views of small hidden spaces and long vistas open up at every turn.
"Profusion, even extravagance and exuberance within the confines of the utmost linear severity". Vita Sackville-West's own words to describe her garden at Sissinghurst.
After stopping for lunch (not included) we travel the short distance to GREAT DIXTER, a charming 15th century timber-framed manor house set in one of the most beautiful gardens in England. A passing glance at this inspiring, romantic country house might give the impression that this has been a grand, rambling manor since medieval times, but all is not quite how it appears to be.
Formerly known as just 'Dixter', the greatness alluded to in its present title is more than a clue to the amazing transformation that the original 15th century hall house underwent in the early years of the last century. Almost from the time the first house was completed in the 1450s, it saw a succession of different owners and tenants, and probably experienced many periods of vacancy and neglect.
Completing the whole picture was an important aspect of Lutyen's designs, and once the residential part of the scheme had taken shape he concentrated on the layout of the gardens, cleverly incorporating the original outbuildings to knit all the elements together. Now well established these fabulous gardens are a delight throughout the seasons and remain a constant source of pleasure. Sadly Christopher Lloyd passed away a few years ago but his gardens still remain much in keeping with what he was and still continues on in Fergus Garrett who had worked with him for many years and now imparting his own wisdom and knowledge to a new generations of gardeners who come there to intern. http://www.greatdixter.co.uk/gardens.htm
Our last visit for the day is HOLE PARK GARDEN, one of the best gardens in Kent and often referred to as ‘a hidden gem’ There are many treasure to be found within its walls and hedges.
The first recorded settlement at what is now known as Hole Park was by Henry de Hole in about 1278. There followed the construction of no less than four substantially different houses on the same site. Hole Park has been owned by the Barham family for the past four generations since 1911, the present Queen Anne house was reconstructed for David and Catherine Barham in 1959 and is occupied today by Clare and Edward Barham. The gardens are tucked away in the weald of Kent between the pretty village of Rolvenden and the charming town of Cranbrook. The privately owned 15 acre garden is set in over 200 acres of superb parkland and was originally laid out and planted by Colonel Barham great grandfather of the present owner. Formal gardens surround the house. The walls and yew hedges, which are a particular feature of Hole Park, shelter broad expanses of lawns. Clipped entirely by hand, it is claimed that nowhere in the county can yews be seen trimmed to greater precision. The fountain and swimming pools, egg pond, walled rose garden, herbaceous borders and wrought iron gates all contribute to make a series of gardens within a garden united by the lawns, whilst outwards there are lovely views of the Weald over the surrounding 220 acres of finely timbered parkland.
At the rear of the house beyond a beech hedge lies the 'Policy' and woodland garden – In April, massed with daffodil followed by with its heathers, flowering trees and shrubs, banks of rhododendrons and azaleas.
We return to our hotel for the evening.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Today we visit the beautiful gardens at GOODNESTONE PARK. One of only three gardens in Kent to be awarded the coveted two stars in the Good Garden Guide. Goodnestone was voted UK’s sixth favourite garden in Daily Telegraph survey and a finalist in 2009 Country Life Awards.
Visitors to Goodnestone are always surprised to discover such a haven of beautiful tranquility hidden away in south-east Kent. The 14 acre gardens have many centuries of history behind them and have been created by generations of the FitzWalter family who have lived here since they built the house. The gardens have been brought to their present level of acclaimed quality during the last forty years. Jane Austen was a frequent visitor here, to see her brother, and wrote Pride & Prejudice after a visit to Goodnestone.
There is parkland, a terrace; a walled garden covered in roses, wisteria, clematis, jasmine with rose-beds underplanted with perennials is famous for its peaceful atmosphere and the creation of an impressive water feature reflecting the view of the village church tower; and a woodland garden. The Gravel Garden and Golden Arboretum have been added earlier this century. There is also fruit, herbs and vegetables in the kitchen garden.
www.goodnestoneparkgardens.co.uk/
Our next visit is to THE SECRET GARDENS OF SANDWICH were officially opened in 2007 by Gardener’s World host Monty Don and have since gone from strength to strength. Since the current owners took over in 2004 The Secret Gardens have gone through an extraordinary metamorphosis. The garden was in a total state of neglect; where the charming White Garden stands was once a pile of rubble and the Holm Oak Walk was totally shapeless and overgrown.
Whilst the spirit and style of the original garden has been largely captured, several more modern features have been added such as the Tropical Border. The plants which grow in this sheltered section would simply not have been able to cope with the colder climate back in 1911. Within this area you will find the Wollemi Pine, an incredibly rare plant dating back to the Jurassic period - 90 million years ago, which is now part of a global conservation project to boost its numbers. Its rarity notwithstanding the plant has established itself well at The Secret Gardens.
Lake Patricia was added to the Gardens during the seventies. The island can be reached by a small bridge and is a remarkably tranquil place to sit and meditate on the beautiful surroundings. Future plans for this area include the planting of several species of flowering trees and the planting of roses to grow up the large circular arbour to create a flowering canopy.
The garden was designed by Lutyens in 1911 and Jekyll is believed to have designed the planting.
We return to our hotel for dinner (included) and overnight. We enjoy dinner together tonight instead of a final farewell dinner on the last night in London as many participants have alternative plans for their evenings in London.
Monday, 21 May 2012
After checking out of our hotel, we start our day with a drive to the City of Canterbury, where we will enjoy a private tour of the cathedral.
Pilgrims and visitors have made their way to CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL since the Middle Ages. It remains one of the most visited places in the country, and, just as important, a living community. Visitors have always been made welcome, in the ancient tradition of Benedictine hospitality.
Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and is listed as a World Heritage Site. It is the Cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England and the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Its history dates back to 597AD when St Augustine was sent by Pope Gregory the Great, as a missionary to establish his seat (or 'Cathedra') in Canterbury. One of the most pivotal events in the Cathedrals history was the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170. The Cathedral has since been the attraction for thousands of Pilgrims as told in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Architecturally the Cathedral is very impressive due to its size and ornate detail.
There is also a large display of stained glass windows, some of which have survived from the late 12th and 13th centuries. http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/canterbury-cathedral.htm
We now continue eastwards to GREAT COMP GARDEN, an imaginatively planned seven acre garden created in 1957 out of rough woodland and paddock by Mr Roderick Cameron and his wife. Long grass walks intersect the beds and borders, providing ever changing views to tempt visitors to stray from their intended route. Focal points and interest are given by statuary, a Temple and ruins built from the tons of ironstone dug up over the years. There are woodland areas, herbaceous borders, a heather garden, a rose garden Formal lawns and an Italianate garden designed to set off a collection of Mediterranean plants. Hellebores are a feature, and the introduction of salvias, dahlias, Knipofias and crocosmias has given the garden a new exoticism. www.greatcomp.co.uk
On route we stop for refreshments before making our way to HEVER CASTLE.
The castle dates back to the 13th century and is best known as the the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. The oldest part of the castle was built in 1270; consisting of a massive Gatehouse together with a walled Bailey surrounded by a moat and approached via a draw- bridge. Two hundred years later, the Bullpen family added a comfortable Tudor dwelling house inside the protective wall.
Despite the fact that Hever Castle was the home of two queens, it slowly fell into disrepair until finally in 1903 the castle was bought by an American, William Waldorf Astor. With keen appreciation for quality and a respect for history he set about restoring the castle and the gardens to what they are today.
The gardens were laid out between 1904 and 1908 to William Waldorf Astor’s designs. One thousand men were employed, 800 of whom dug out the 35-acre Lake, steam engines shifted rock and soil to create apparently natural new features, and teams of horses moved mature trees from Ashdown forest. Today the gardens have reached their maturity and are teeming with colour and interest throughout the year. We will enjoy a guided tour of the Castle and Gardens. www.hevercastle.co.uk
We now proceed to London where we will be spending the next 2 nights.
Accommodation is confirmed at the 4 Star MILLENNIUM
COPTHORNE TARA HOTEL, on a bed & breakfast basis.
The hotel in Kensington is one of the well known 4 Star
hotels in London. It is ideally located in a quiet corner of the
Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and offers convenient access to other areas of London. Please check the Hotel Website for all kinds of information on the hotel, location & Kensington area.
http://www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/copthor
This hotel is in a great area for walking, shopping and gardens too. The nearest tube station is the Kensington Tube Station.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
FULL DAY AT CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW ON MEMBERS ONLY DAY
Chelsea Flower Show is the worlds most popular and renowned flower show. The best in gardening and horticulture is brought together in one place for one week in May. This is the show that you will find new plant introductions before anyone else, for it is here that suppliers showcase the best of the best. When you see the Show Gardens, you will wonder how they could have put something like this together in such a short time - they look like they have been there forever! The Show Gardens at Chelsea are renowned for their superb design and plantsmanship. They are often the starting point for new trends in gardening.
Designed and built by some of the world's best garden designers, you can use them for inspiration in your own garden. You will see tiny little window box gardens right up to huge magnificent show gardens and everything in between. The tents hold a wonder of plants, set up in displays that will cause you to stop in wonder. You will be assaulted with fragrances wafting in and out - lilies to strawberries - they are here - you will never forget your visit to Chelsea.
This is the 90th show held at these grounds. The Chelsea Flower Show is the lasting title of an exhibition with a history of over 140 years. The Show was originally called the Royal Horticultural Society's Great Spring Show, first held in 1862, at the RHS garden in Kensington. In 1888 when that garden was closed (the Science Museum and Imperial College now occupy its site), the Society found itself without a site in central London at which to hold the Show. It was then moved to Temple Gardens near the Embankment, where it was held under canvas until 1911.
At the heart of Chelsea is the exhibition of plants staged in the Great Pavilion by nurserymen and women, professionals and amateurs - although the number of amateurs represented today is proportionately much smaller than in the early years. Scientific exhibits, model glasshouses and displays of tools and equipment have remained constant features from the outset.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is still viewed as the most important event in the horticultural calendar and is as popular as ever. Over almost a century, the Chelsea Flower Show has witnessed numerous changes in horticultural fashion. Show Gardens, over the years, have mirrored the changing enthusiasms of garden designers - from the Japanese and topiary gardens of the early days (Japanese dwarf trees, now known as bonsai, were seen at the first Show in 1913), through the rock garden craze during the war years, the paved back yards and cottage gardens of the 1980s, to the contemporary sculptural gardens of the present day.
Garden designers from around the world compete for space at the most famous of flower shows. With new trends constantly appearing - illustrated in the changing face of garden design - it is certain that the Chelsea Flower Show will continue to mark this country’s ever-changing horticultural history. http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelseagardenshow
Remainder of day at leisure.
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Today is our last day in London. Enough time to do some last minute shopping or even have a visit to the London Eye, before preparing to leave for the airport in the early evening and our flight back to Cape Town.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
After a week of unforgettable experiences we return to Cape Town.
Your includes:
- Airfare excluding taxes (taxes excluded due to daily foreign exchange fluctuations)
- All land travel by luxury coach
- 17 - 21 May accompanied by a qualified British Guide
- 4 nights 3-Star Mermaid Inn or similar in sharing accommodation
- 2 nights 4-Star Millennium Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
- English Breakfast Daily
- 1 x 3 Course Dinner
- Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Wisley - guided tour
- Nymans Garden
- Pashley Garden - includes guided tour by owner or head gardener
- Merriments Garden
- Tidebrook Manor - includes introductory talk by owner or head gardener
- possibly to Tinker’s Bridge Cottage Garden– includes introductory talk by owner or head gardener
- Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens
- Great Dixter - includes guided tour of house & garden
- Hole Park - includes guided tour by owner or head gardener
- Goodnestone Park - possible introductory talk by owner or head gardener
- Secret Gardens of Sandwich
- Canterbury Cathedral - private tour of cathedral
- Great Comp - includes introductory talk by owner or head gardener
- Hever Castle - includes guided tour of castle & garden
- Entrance to Members Day at Chelsea Garden Show 2012
- Day of Leisure in London - Yay!
- Absolutely Unforgettable Memories!
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Airport, fuel & security taxes, insurance, meals unless noted, items of a personal nature and extra hotel charges.
Please note your Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return flight and most passengers will require a British visa (passengers carrying an EU passport do not require a visa).
Please note the tour is based on 15 participants.
The hotels and gardens mentioned and the order in which visits have been arranged are subject to change without notice.