Visit some of Central England's finest private and public gardens. This is a very enriching tour which everyone can enjoy, from those with a passion for gardening, to those who enjoy historic monuments and those who enjoy walking and being outdoors. Join other enthusiasts or bring your own group.
Enjoy a joyous display of spring colours; rhododendrons, azaleas, bluebells, magnolias and other flowering trees shrubs in the gardens and walks in the surrounding countryside. We have chosen some of the best and most representative gardens and historic houses of our area.
Stay in Kenilworth at an old Coaching Inn not far from the ruins of Kenilworth Castle‚ favourite residence of Queen Elisabeth I. Visit‚ Four Winds‚ my mother's family home since 1940. After the Coventry Blitz my grandparents gave refuge to several families and concentrated on kitchen gardens, raising chickens, geese and goats. After WW2 they began landscaping and exchanging plants with other local enthusiasts and the garden began to take shape. Four generations of our family are still enjoying the gardens.
We look forward to being your hosts.
Itinerary
Day 1
Meet at hotel in Kew, London
We meet between 1400-15.00 at the hotel for welcome and introduction to the tour .
Day 2
Hampton Court Palace & gardens
Visit Hampton Court Palace & its majestically laid out formal gardens, recently restored by Queen Elisabeth II after the fire of 1986 - a real insight into the lives of British royal families of the past (Henry VIII, William III and George II).
Day 3
Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew
Stroll around the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew; a magical garden at any time of year with extensive landscaping, monuments, glasshouses and plant collections built up over centuries under the influence of master gardeners and enthusiastic royal patrons.
Day 4
Hidcote gardens
Visit the gardens at Hidcote, a spectacular series of outdoor rooms separated by walls or hedges with outstanding herbaceous borders and unusual plant species from all over the world planted to give harmonious colour schemes.
Day 5
Baddersley Clinton, Packwood House
Explore Baddersley Clinton dating from the 15th century, an atmospheric house with priest holes, a moat, delightful garden, stew ponds and a nature walk around the lake. Walk along the canal to Packwood House; Tudor architecture and an extensive garden with herbaceous borders, ponds and a famous collection of Yews.
Day 6
Charlecote Park or Coughton Court
Charlecote Park is a Tudor house and home of the Lucy family for 700 years. The house and outbuildings, kitchen and brewery can be visited and walks made in creative formal gardens, deer park and woodland. Coughton Court, belonging to the Throckmorton family who were involved in the gunpowder plot, has a simple courtyard, walled garden and labyrinth, rose and bog gardens.
Day 7
Kenilworth Castle & Four Winds
Visit Kenilworth Castle and its restored Elisabethan gardens. Visit Four Winds to enjoy the family garden, an aperitif and a traditional supper.
Day 8
Departure from Warwick/Coventry stations
We will help you meet appropriate transportation from these locations for your onward travel. If you wish we can help you to extend your stay or make other independent departure arrangements.
