Elizabethan tower at Sissinghurst
Borde Hill Italian Gdn,Molly Hollman
Bog gardens of Wakehurst
Borde Hill Rose Garden - June 2022
Hever Castle
Great Dixter House
Queen bedroom in Hever Castle
Wakehurst gardens
Great Dixter
Hever Castle lake
Lake at Wakehurst Place
Pashley Manor Gardens
Pashley Manor Gardens
Sissinghurst Castle Gardens
Borde Hill -Paradise Walk-John Glover
Glorious Sissinghurst Castle, creation of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson
Borde Hill’s enchanting “garden rooms”
Wakehurst – the Sussex outpost of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew
Lutyens’ Great Dixter House and Gardens
Hever Castle and Gardens – childhood home of Anne Boleyn
Kent is known as the “Garden of England” for good reason – historically for its production of hops, fruit and vegetables and, in recent times, for the superb wines that its plethora of vineyards, such as Chapel Down, produce. So, it is no surprise that its gardens, and those of neighbouring Sussex, are as prolific and abundant as its agriculture. Our lovely new tour for 2024, in the company of BBC Gardeners’ World Associate Editor David Hurrion, takes us to a selection of wonderful gardens, in a variety of styles and sizes and often attached to spectacular houses, such as Sissinghurst Castle, home to Vita Sackville West and Lutyens’ masterful Great Dixter House.
Available Departures |
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| 02 - June - 2024 | Limited Availability | Travel Info Please Call |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at the East Sussex National Hotel from 15.00 for check-in. Evening welcome drink and talk from David Hurrion followed by 3-course dinner with 2 glasses of wine per person.
Day 2: Borde Hill and Wakehurst
Our exploration begins with a guided tour of Borde Hill Garden followed by a light lunch. The “garden rooms” at Borde Hill were originally planted by Col Robert Stephenson Clark but have been renewed, updated and refreshed by subsequent generations of the family, giving the visitor a series of delights including Jay Robin’s Rose Garden, Italian Garden, Paradise Walk, Round Dell, Garden of Allah and Azalea Ring. After lunch we head to Wakehurst, the Sussex outpost of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to see its wild botanic garden, home to the Milennium Seed Bank and over 500 acres of diverse landscapes and plants from around the globe. Evening dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3: Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Great Dixter House and Hole Park Gardens
A packed day starts with a visit to Sissinghurst Castle Garden, a world-renowned garden, created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, famous members of the literary “Bloomsbury Set” of the early 20th century, who fell in love with the Castle. Free time for lunch (not included) before moving on to Great Dixter House and Gardens. Family home of gardener, gardening writer and TV presenter, Christopher Lloyd, the house was designed by Edwin Lutyens, whose work in Delhi and Flanders made him one of the most famous architects of the 20th century. The garden was nurtured by Lloyd until his death in 2006 and is in the Arts & Crafts style with three 18th century oast houses and a 15th century barn in its midst. Finally, to privately-owned Hole Park Gardens, designed by Christopher Lloyd, for a guided tour followed by some light refreshments. Evening dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 4: Pashley Manor Gardens and Hever Castle
The last day of our fascinating itinerary takes us to Pashley Manor Gardens for a guided tour and free time for lunch (not included). The 11 acres of Pashley Manor Gardens display all the ingredients of a classic English Country Garden – sweeping herbaceous borders, immaculate lawns, rose walk, walled and kitchen garden, box hedges – with a grade I listed house as its stunning backdrop. Our last visit is to historic Hever Castle and Gardens, child hood home to Anne Boleyn, mother of Queen Elizabeth I. The double-moated 14th century castle is set in 125 acres of grounds and time is allowed to visit the castle and the magnificent award-winning gardens. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30hrs.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 48 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
East Sussex National Hotel, Little Horsted, nr Uckfield
Four-star spa hotel, with two championship golf courses and well located to visit the sites on this itinerary. Facilities include bar, restaurant, spa, indoor pool and very comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, free wifi, air-conditioning, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Car park is free of charge to guests.
Your Guide - David Hurrion
David started gardening as a young child and has been growing plants for more than 40 years. He has worked in gardens and nurseries, growing on a range of different soils and in different types of microclimate. His extensive knowledge and practical experience of plants, crops and growing techniques is founded on a thorough botanical and scientific training, complemented by an in depth understanding of garden design, wildlife, geology and climatology. He also trained as a teacher and has taught a huge diversity of subjects from botany, soil science and plant identification, to propagation, garden design and crop production, and from City & Guilds through to Degree level. He is also a popular speaker with local gardening groups.
As a journalist, David has spent more than 20 years writing for and editing the nation’s crop of garden magazines, currently as Associate Editor for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. He has also written for a number of websites and appeared both as a regular contributor and an expert commentator on TV and radio. David is a popular figure in the horticultural world, well liked and respected for his knowledge by nurserymen, professional gardeners, journalists and the gardening public. He has designed, built and planted show gardens and display stands at most of the major garden shows in the UK, including the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show, and is now a Designate Judge for the Royal Horticultural Society.
He has also travelled to every continent, with the exception of Antarctica, to discover plants and gardens, both independently and on more than 50 trips accompanying groups of gardeners
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
