Glorious Gardens of Cheshire Tour

For a plant and garden enthusiast, Cheshire has it all: formal parks and gardens, mountain, moorland  and estuary landscapes, exotic plants and arboretums – and we explore its myriad of botanical appeal on this superb tour. In the company of renowned plantsman and garden expert, Tony Russell, this tour will explore some of the most beautiful gardens in Cheshire, including the wonderful RHS garden at Bridgwater, subject of a recent BBC TV series, Ness Botanical Garden, historic Tatton Park and the award-winning gardens at Arley Hall.   

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive and dinner at the hotel
Arrive independently at Cottons Hotel from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome drink, talk by tour manager Tony Russell and dinner with wine.

Day 2: Ness Botanic Gardens, Port Sunlight Museum and Garden Village
This morning visit Ness Botanic Gardens, created by a wealthy cotton merchant, Arthur Bulley, in the late 1800’s. Spread over 64 acres, this all-year botanical garden has a wide range of plants and plenty of wildlife in the summer. In July, the wildflower meadows should be in full swing, with the herbaceous boarders filled with Geranium, Astrantia and Eechinops. There will be free time to enjoy lunch (at your own expense) before departing for Port Sunlight. The village of Port Sunlight was founded by ‘Soap King’ William Hesketh Lever in 1888 and was built to house his factory workers. Today it is home to a fascinating museum, beautiful architecture, and stunning parkland. On arrival there will be a guided tour of the village followed by time to explore the museum, workers cottage and soap works. Return to the hotel with dinner in the restaurant this evening.

Day 3: Lovell Quinta Arboretum and Tatton Park 
Today we will start at Lovell Quinta Arboretum. The arboretum is home to a colourful range of around 2500 different plants. Following your exploration of this tranquil spot we will have an included lunch at the Swettenham Arms. This afternoon we visit Tatton Park, one of the most complete historic estates in the UK. It is home to a medieval Old Hall, Neo Classical Mansion, 50 acres of landscaped gardens and 1000 acres of deer park. Explore the mansion and gardens at your own leisure. Take in the treasured collections inside the 18^th century mansion as well as the gardens including the Japanese garden, walled kitchen garden or the historic glasshouses. Dinner this evening will be in the hotel restaurant.

Day 4: Chester and Dorothy Clive Gardens 
Chester will be the first stop of the day. Independently explore the ancient city who has played host to Roman legions, Viking raiders and the Norman invasion. The city has the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, along with a 1000-year-old cathedral as well as its Roman and Medieval walls. There is plenty of to see. Later that morning transfer by coach to Dorothy Clive Gardens for free time at leisure for lunch (at own expense) before we have a guided tour of the gardens followed by free time for further exploration. The gardens were initially created by Colonel Harry Clive to provide his ailing wife, Dorothy, with a series of interesting walks as she battled with Parkinson's disease. The gardens today have many diverse areas of interest within its 12 acres including a winter garden, an edible woodland, woodland quarry with waterfall, alpine scree and pool, a rose walk plus amazing seasonal borders. Dinner this evening will be in the hotel restaurant. 

Day 5: RHS Bridgewater and Arley Hall Gardens
Today we start at RHS Bridgewater. There will be plenty of time to explore the stunning 11 acre restored walled garden, one of the largest Victorian walled gardens in the UK, as well as the Paradise Garden, Asiatic and Mediterranean gardens. Worsley New Hall Estate was taken on by the RHS to create RHS Garden Bridgewater and has been one of the largest gardening projects in Europe to date. In the afternoon travel to Arley Hall Gardens, one of the most interesting and charming estates. One of the outstanding features of Arley’s award winning gardens is the double herbaceous border, believed to be the first of its kind planted in England. Other highlights included the Walled Garden, Clock Tower and Tea Cottage set in a rose garden. Return to the hotel for approximately 17:30.

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 49 passengers.

INCLUDED

• Four nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Cottons Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Welcome reception 
• First night three-course dinner with wine
• Three dinners in the hotel restaurant 
• One lunch at the Swettenham Arms 
• All talks, guided tours and admissions 
• Coach transfers and tour manager throughout 

NOT INCLUDED

• Transport to the hotel is not included
• Double for sole use supplement 
• Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis 
• Holiday insurance 
• Meals other than those stated 
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc 
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Cottons Hotel, Knutsford
Four-star spa hotel, with great facilities, owned by Thwaites Brewery and perfectly located to reach the places visited on this itinerary. Hotel facilities include restaurant, bar, indoor pool, gym and spa. Bedrooms are comfortable with all modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, free wifi and tea/coffe making facilities. 

Parking: complimentary

Hotel Website

MORE INFO - Please click here for more information on this tour 

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.

Tony Russell 

Tony Russell has worked in horticulture for almost 40 years, including 14 years in charge of Britain's National Arboretum at Westonbirt and 10 years as plant consultant to the National Trust. During this time Tony has also presented several television and radio programmes, as well as appearing as a panellist on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners Question Time. He is the author of 20 published books on gardens, plants and trees and the editor of the annual publication Great Gardens to Visit.  Tony is currently consulting on a large, new arboretum being created at Rahanna House in Ireland and in 2024 will be leading a number of exclusive garden and plant-based tours, both in the UK and overseas.