Iconic English Gardens with Chelsea Flower Show – Tour 1 – – this tour is now FULLY BOOKED. If you would like to join a waiting list for this tour please email us on tours@sisley.co.uk
Saturday 20th – Saturday 27th May 2023 (7 nights)
Visit the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show on members only day, the Royal Horticultural Society’s garden at Wisley and majestic Hampton Court Palace. We also spend four days in Kent, exploring some of England’s most iconic gardens including Great Dixter, Sissinghurst Castle and Hever Castle.
- Members only day at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
- Pre-opening visits to Great Dixter and the iconic Sissinghurst Castle Garden
- Private tour of Hever Castle
- Explore the historic spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells
- Meet the owner of Long Barn – former home of Vita Sackville-West
- See Churchill’s Chartwell House and RHS Wisley
- Explore the majesty of the Royal Palace of Hampton Court
- Guided tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photo credits: Hever Castle & Hampton Court Palace copyright VisitBritain; Long Barn & Great Dixter copyright Claire Takacs; other images copyright Sisley Garden Tours.
We meet at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel and depart mid-morning. We make the short journey to the 4-star Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court. We drop off our bags at the hotel and stroll across the road to Hampton Court Palace. Discover the world of King Henry VIII and his Tudor Court and the vast formal gardens that extend over 60 acres. There is free time for lunch (independent).
When you are ready, you can walk back to the hotel for check-in, any time after 3pm. In the late afternoon we enjoy a private cruise along the River Thames. We have dinner in the hotel (included).
Sunday 21st May
Today we visit RHS Wisley – the Royal Horticultural Society’s headquarters. We will have a guided tour of the superb and varied gardens, followed by lunch (included) in the Tulip Room. We return to the hotel in the afternoon where your evening is at leisure.
Monday 22nd May
This morning we head to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. On arrival we will have a guided tour of the extensive gardens which have been designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is then free time to further explore and have lunch (independent).
We depart mid-afternoon and return to the hotel. Dinner in the hotel (included).
Tuesday 23rd May
After checking-out of the hotel, we enjoy the first members only day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Marvel at the magnificent floral displays proudly presented by the best nurseries and specialist growers in the main pavilion. Be inspired by the extraordinary show gardens created by the leading lights in horticulture, and see the ‘Fresh Gardens’ designed by emerging talent. Enjoy the extensive array of gardening tools, sculptures, clothing and garden gifts.
In the afternoon we travel to Kent and check into to the 4-star Spa Hotel, Royal Tunbridge Wells. Dinner in the hotel (included).
Wednesday 24th May
This morning we take a pre-opening tour of Hever Castle. This picturesque, double-moated castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII. Its panelled rooms house fine furniture, tapestries, antiques and one of the best collections of Tudor portraits. The extensive grounds feature a 35-acre lake, fountains, and magnificent original Roman and Italian Renaissance statuary. We have lunch (independent) at Hever Castle.
In the afternoon we are treated to an exclusive visit to the beautiful private gardens at Long Barn. This was the first home of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, where they ‘served their gardening apprenticeship’, before moving to Sissinghurst. We will meet the owner and hear the story of these historically important gardens. On our return to the hotel, we have dinner at a traditional English pub (included).
Thursday 25th May
Our first visit today is a private, pre-opening guided tour of Great Dixter House and Garden, a cottage garden on a grand scale developed by the late Christopher Lloyd. The gardens are now superbly curated by internationally renowned gardener, Fergus Garrett.
Afterwards, we head to the delightful town of Rye for lunch (included) and shopping. We continue onto Godinton House and Gardens, a superb ancient estate where we will enjoy a private guided tour of the splendid formal gardens. Both the Jacobean house and gardens have been lovingly restored. Your evening is at leisure in Tunbridge Wells.
Friday 26th May
This morning we head to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, a romantic garden created around a slender brick-built castle tower. Its designer Vita Sackville- West’s own words describe the garden: “Profusion, even extravagance and exuberance within the confines of the utmost linear severity”. We will enjoy a private pre-opening tour of the gardens.
After, we make our way to Pashley Manor, an immaculate garden with emphasis on colour and form that surrounds a beautiful, timbered Tudor house with 18th century additions. After lunch (independent) we enjoy an introductory talk and time to explore the gardens. We return to the hotel for dinner (included).
Saturday 27th May
After checkout, our final visit is to Chartwell House, home of Sir Winston Churchill, wartime British Prime Minister. Chartwell is much more than just a fascinating house, it boasts an extensive garden with far-reaching views and his studio which is home to the largest collection of Churchill’s paintings. Lunch (independent) at Chartwell.
In the afternoon we drop off at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel and Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 for inter-terminal transport links and the Heathrow Express train for travel into London.
Note: This tour includes one year’s membership of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Please read our Tour Joining and Departure Arrangements information sheet here. To download a printable version of this itinerary, click here.
Our Hotels
Our hotels are 4-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are ensuite and offer free wifi access.
The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court (3 nights)
Overlooking the River Thames, and built around the same time as Hampton Court Palace, this delightful 4-star hotel is refined, yet relaxed. It has recently undergone a complete refurbishment, and the blend of colour and antiques give each room its own individual style. The riverside bar and restaurant give spectacular views over the river and Hampton Court Palace is located just a few paces from the front door of the hotel.
The Spa Hotel, Royal Tunbridge Wells (4 nights)
Situated in 14 acres of picturesque grounds on the edge of Royal Tunbridge Wells, The Spa is a 4-star family run hotel offering 70 well-appointed and individually styled bedrooms. Originally built in 1766 as a country mansion, the hotel is surrounded by glorious gardens and includes an indoor swimming pool, gym, floodlit tennis court and 2 AA rosette restaurant.
| Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) | Single Supplement (for single occupancy of a double room) |
| £4,350 (GBP) | £440 (GBP) |
PRICES INCLUDE:
- 7 nights’ accommodation at 4-star hotels with en-suite facilities.
- Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 5 dinners.
- All garden visits including tours with garden owners and head gardeners.
- All tour gratuities (driver, tour director and hotels).
- One year’s membership to the RHS.
- Deluxe coach travel with professional driver.
- Gift information pack with detailed information about the gardens we will be visiting.
- Services of your Sisley tour director throughout
PRICES EXCLUDE:
- Airfares.
- Passport and/or visa fees if applicable.
- Meals not included in the tour, drinks, laundry, and telephone calls.
TOUR PAYMENT: A 10% non-refundable deposit is requested at the time of booking to secure your place on the tour. Your tour balance payment is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
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 conversion rates include fees and will generally differ from these rates.
You can book and pay for your tour in three ways:
With your own travel agent: You can book a Sisley Garden Tour in your local currency through your own travel agent. Just provide us with their contact details in your booking form and we will take care of the rest.
With our travel partner in the USA: After 20 happy years of partnership, Worldwide Traveler has retired as our US travel partner. We are currently seeking to appoint a new representative to work with in the US. Please contact us for details.
With Sisley Garden Tours: All clients are welcome to book a tour directly with us. We can accept payment in GBP£ by bank transfer or by credit/ debit card.
Book nowFull details of our booking Terms & Conditions can be found at here. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section for further information.
We very much look forward to welcoming you, but please email tours@sisley.co.uk if you have any queries.
