Chatsworth Flower Show, Oxford and Private Cotswolds’ Gardens
Sunday 7th June – Saturday 13th June 2020 (6 nights)
This wonderful tour celebrates the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show in the grounds of Britain’s finest stately home, Chatsworth House. The two-centre tour makes the most of the stunning Peak District National Park and then moves to Oxford, from where we immerse ourselves in some fabulous private gardens of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is time to explore the university town of Oxford, marvel at the scenery of Britain’s first national park, step back into our Tudor past at Haddon Hall and visit the spa town of Buxton, a jewel in the Derbyshire hills.
- Members-only day at the RHS Chatsworth House Flower Show with visit to Chatsworth House included
- One year’s membership to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
- Exclusive visits to the private gardens of Eastleach House, Thornbridge Hall, Oxleaze, and Rockcliffe Manor
- Famous double herbaceous borders at Arley Hall
- Pre-opening visit to the medieval Haddon Hall
- Oxford walking tour visiting a historic university college and Oxford Botanic Gardens
- Visit to the spa town of Buxton
Photo credits: VisitBritain – Oxford; Chatsworth House. Our thanks to the following properties for use of their images – Chatsworth House, Rockcliffe Manor, Arley Hall. Other images copyright Sisley Garden Tours.
After our morning pick-up at Heathrow Airport, we make our way north towards the Peak District, stopping en-route for lunch (included). We visit Kelmarsh Hall, an elegant 18th century house with award-winning gardens – all designed and principally laid out by Nancy Lancaster – doyenne of the ‘Country House Style’.
We arrive, late afternoon, at our hotel – the beautifully situated 4-star Losehill House Hotel & Spa. The hotel sits in a deep verdant valley with superb walks from the doorstep and gorgeous views from all aspects. Join your tour director and the rest of the group for dinner (included).
Monday 8th June
Today we begin with a visit to the Tudor Haddon Hall, one of England’s finest examples of a medieval manor. We’ll have morning coffee on arrival in the Great Hall followed by a guided tour of the Hall and Gardens. Parts of the house date from the 12th century, but Arne Maynard – Gold Medal winner at Chelsea Flower Show – as garden designer, is giving the gardens an historic make-over.
We stop in the charming Peak District market town of Bakewell where there will be free time for lunch and shopping. After lunch we make a visit to the private gardens at Thornbridge Hall, 12 acres of quintessential English gardens, recently redeveloped and improved by the current owners. The aim of the original garden design was to create 500 shades of green seen from the house – it is beautifully executed.
We return to the hotel for dinner (included).
Tuesday 9th June
This morning we enjoy a scenic drive through the Peak District National Park to Arley Hall. This wonderful house is home to Lord and Lady Ashbrook and has been in the family since the 15th century. Amongst the finest in Europe, the gardens have been created over the last 250 years by successive generations of the family. They offer an unusual blend of long history and traditional design with inspired modern ideas and additions. The result is a garden rich in atmosphere, interest and vitality. The double herbaceous border is its best known feature and is thought to be the first border of its kind planted in England. We have a guided tour of the gardens followed by lunch (independent) and time to visit the hall.
Afterwards, we take a scenic drive through the Peak District National Park to Buxton where this is time to explore this fascinating spa town which has recently undergone extensive restoration of its beautiful Georgian buildings. On our return to the hotel, we have dinner (included).
Wednesday 10th June
Today we visit the RHS Flower Show at Chatsworth House on its first members-only day. Chatsworth has a rich tapestry of gardening history with many leading creative thinkers making their mark, including Joseph Paxton and Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. As well as celebrating inspirational people who have shaped history, the show will also showcase gardening trends for 2020 and beyond. There will be the opportunity to visit Chatsworth House – quite simply the most beautiful of all English country houses (entry included).
We depart the show mid-afternoon and make our way to the delightful university city of Oxford where we check in to the centrally located, 4-star Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel. Dinner in the hotel (included).
Thursday 11th June
Today we explore the delightful south-east corner of The Cotswolds (designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). We start with a private visit to Westwell Manor Gardens, home of the late garden designer, Anthea Gibson. This garden features 7 acres surrounding a fine Cotswold manor house with knot garden, potager, shrub roses, herbaceous borders, topiary, earth works, moonlight garden, auricula ladder, rills and water garden. A fascinating visit.
After we drive a short distance to Oxleaze Farm. Set amongst beautiful traditional farm buildings, this plantsperson’s garden combines formality and informality. With year round interest, the garden features mixed borders, a vegetable potager, decorative fruit cages, pond and bog garden, bees, potting shed, wild meadow, and topiary for structure. We are treated to lunch (included) before heading back to Oxford. The evening is at your leisure – an opportunity to explore the many cafes and restaurants on our hotel’s doorstop.
Friday 12th June
This morning, we begin with a visit to Rockcliffe Garden, a stunning private 8-acre garden, created over the last 30 years by the owners in the heart of the Cotswolds. The gardens feature rose terraces, yew-hedged rooms, a ha-ha, kitchen garden and a wonderful path flanked by Yew birds leading to an attractive dovecot. We will have a guided tour of the gardens.
We then enjoy free time in Stow-on-the-Wold for lunch. This is a traditional Cotswolds market town with characterful shops, traditional tea rooms and antiques. In the afternoon we visit a ‘Sisley favourite’, the private gardens of Eastleach House. We will meet the owner of this delightful garden which has been created from scratch over a period of thirty years. The gardens incorporate a wild flower walk, walled and rill gardens, modern herbaceous borders, lily ponds, formal herb garden and topiary.
Our final evening together includes a private dinner (included) in one of Oxford’s most popular eateries.
Saturday 13th June
This morning we meet a local expert for a guided walking tour of the city of Oxford including a visit to one of the Oxford University Colleges. After the tour there is time to explore the city and to visit Oxford Botanic Gardens (included), the oldest in Britain. We depart Oxford mid-afternoon and make two drop-offs; Heathrow Airport and central London. We can advise on departure planning.
Please read our Tour Joining and Departure Arrangements information sheet here
Our Hotels
Our hotels are 4-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access.
Losehill House Hotel & Spa, Peak District
Set in an Arts & Crafts building dating from 1914, this luxurious spa hotel occupies a secluded spot in the heart of the Peak District National Park with stunning views overlooking Win Hill. Rooms are well appointed and the spa offers indoor heated pool, outdoor heated jacuzzi and treatment rooms.
Mercure Eastgate Hotel, Oxford
This contemporary hotel is housed in a 17th century townhouse in the heart of the city of Oxford. The famous novelists JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis frequented the hotel while being Fellows at Merton College and Magdalen College respectively. All rooms are ‘Privilege’ standard with Nespresso machines and feature headboards with scenes from the city.
| Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) | Single Supplement (for single occupancy of a double room) |
| £3,250(GBP) | £460 (GBP) |
PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodation at 4-star hotels with en-suite facilities based on twin/double room share; breakfast daily; 2 lunches and 5 dinners; admissions to gardens and the prestigious members-only day at Chatsworth Flower Show; one year’s membership of the RHS; deluxe coach travel with professional driver; guided tours and speakers as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; services of your Sisley tour director throughout; arrival transfers are included only if you are joining the tour at Heathrow Airport on the first morning of the tour.
PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares; passport and/or visa fees; beverages; laundry; telephone calls; lunches and dinners (except where included in the itinerary); gratuities; souvenirs and items of a personal nature.
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION: You can get an idea of the cost of the tour in your local currency by using a currency converter. Conversion rates are based on institutional or inter-bank daily rates. Retail conversation rates include fees and will generally differ from these rates.
We are delighted you’ve decided to join a Sisley Garden Tour. There are several ways to book:
- You can book directly through Sisley Garden Tours
- You can book through our appointed agents in the USA, Worldwide Traveler and pay in $USD
- You can ask your local travel agent to contact us and book on your behalf
- We can also offer Bespoke Tours for small groups (minimum 12). Please contact us with your requirements.
We very much look forward to welcoming you.
