Castles and Gardens of the Cotswolds with Chelsea Flower Show
This fabulous tour combines the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show on members-only day, Windsor Castle, RHS Wisley, Blenheim Palace and Sudeley Castle with a selection of the finest gardens in the Cotswolds. On this tour you can expect majestic historic residences, wonderful scenery, superb hotels and inspirational gardens.
- Members-only day at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
- Tour of RHS Wisley with private lunch.
- Private English Afternoon Tea at Cliveden House, former home of William Waldorf Astor.
- Windsor Castle.
- Beautiful Cotswolds scenery.
- One year’s individual membership of the RHS.
- Pre-opening tour with the owner and lunch at Kiftsgate Court Gardens.
- Private tour and pre-dinner drinks at Sudeley Castle.
- Hidcote Manor Gardens.
- Tour of the majestic gardens at World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace.
- Tours of two of the Cotswolds’ most exquisite private gardens.
Photo credits: Wisley ©RHS Garden Wisley; ©Blenheim Palace; ©Kiftsgate Court; ©Sudeley Castle/Val Corbett and Pippa MacKenzie, Windsor ©VisitEngland/DougHarding; other images copyright Sisley Garden Tours.
After our morning pick up at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel at Heathrow Airport, we head to the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship garden at RHS Wisley. We enjoy a guided tour so you’ll be sure to see the very best of these impressive and extensive gardens, which cover some 240 acres and inspire in every season. We have a private lunch (included) in the Tulip Room.
In the afternoon we check in to the 4-star Castle Hotel, Windsor. Dinner at the hotel (included).
Monday 18th May
Today begins with a private visit to the Manor House at Bledlow. Developed over 60 years by the Carington family, this 12-acre garden features a series of individually designed rooms, a large sculpture garden and an adjacent water garden.
Afterwards, we enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea for lunch (included) overlooking the parterre at the iconic Cliveden House with time to explore the grounds after lunch.
In the afternoon we return to Windsor for our visit to Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It has since been the home of 40 monarchs. Your evening is at leisure (dinner independent).
Tuesday 19th May
This morning we head to central London to enjoy the first members-only day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Marvel at the magnificent floral displays 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 enjoy the extensive array of gardening tools and gifts. Explore the show at your own pace with time for lunch (independent).
In the late afternoon we return to Windsor for dinner (included) at a local restaurant.
Wednesday 20th May
After checking out, we head into the Cotswolds to the historic 5-star Ellenborough Park Hotel.
En-route we stop for a garden tour and lunch (included) at the World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. It is a monumental and historic palace with fabulous formal gardens including the scented rose garden and ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds stretching over 2,000 acres.
We arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon where dinner is included this evening.
Thursday 21st May
This morning we enjoy a leisurely departure and head to Kiftsgate Court, for a private pre-opening tour with the owner. This is a delightfully laid out plantsman’s garden created by three generations of women who have all left their individual mark on the garden. It is located on top of a hill with magnificent views over the Vale of Evesham. We have lunch (included) in the garden cafe.
We then visit neighbouring Hidcote Manor Garden. Major Lawrence Johnston is claimed to have been the originator here of the ‘garden room’. There is time to explore the garden before continuing onto the charming Cotswolds market town of Broadway for dinner in a local restaurant (included).
Friday 22nd May
This morning we begin with a tour of one of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful private gardens. The garden surrounds an attractive Georgian house with carefully crafted planting. One of the most impressive features is the Dovecote Garden.
We then have time in the pretty market town of Stow-on-the-Wold for lunch (independent) and shopping.
For our final visit of the day we are treated to an ‘after hours’ tour of Sudeley Castle; a romantic estate with distinct gardens rooms and a history stretching back over 1,000 years. Henry VIII’s final wife, Katherine Parr, lies entombed in Sudeley’s St. Mary’s Chapel and is the only English Queen to be buried on private land. After the tour we will enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the castle’s private drawing room before returning to the hotel for dinner (included).
Saturday 23rd May
This morning we visit a delightful private garden originally designed by Arne Maynard, with the picturesque River Avon at its heart. We enjoy a final lunch (included) in the garden.
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 and Elizabeth Line trains into London.
Note: This tour includes one year’s individual membership of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). This tour can easily be combined with our Garden Gems of Cornwall, Devon & the Isles of Scilly tour. Some garden visits await final confirmation at the time of publication.
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 and 5-star and selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are ensuite and offer free wifi access.
The Castle Hotel, Windsor (3 nights)
Windsor Castle is just across the road from this historic 4-star hotel. Parts of the hotel date back to the 1520’s and the interior design reflects this wonderful heritage. The rooms are superbly appointed with calming colours, modern bathrooms and comfortable beds. The restaurant focuses on locally sourced ingredients and has an attractive outdoor terrace.
Ellenborough Park, near Cheltenham (3 nights)
Ellenborough Park, an ancient house dating from the 1500’s on the site of the original Cheltenham racecourse estate, has been restored as an exceptional luxury 5-star country house hotel, located just 10 minutes from the Cotswolds town of Cheltenham Spa. Set within 90 acres of parkland the hotel comprises 62 rooms and suites with an Indian-themed spa and outdoor heated swimming pool. There are lovely lounges to relax in and a wood-panelled dining room. NB: Some rooms are accessed via a staircase. Assistance with your luggage will be provided.
| Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) | Single Supplement (for single occupancy of a double room) |
| £5,650 (GBP) | £690 (GBP) |
PRICES INCLUDE:
- 6 nights’ accommodation at 4 and 5-star hotels with ensuite facilities.
- Breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 5 dinners.
- Assistance with luggage at the hotels.
- All garden visits including tours with garden owners and head gardeners.
- One year’s membership of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
- First members-only day at Chelsea Flower Show.
- Deluxe coach travel with professional driver.
- Transfers to and from the hotel and Heathrow Airport at the start and end of the tour.
- An information pack with detailed booklet about the gardens we will be visiting.
- Services of your Sisley tour director throughout.
- All tour gratuities (driver, tour director and hotels).
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 required to secure your place(s) on the tour. Your balance payment is due 120 days prior to the 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.
To book your place(s) please complete our online booking form at www.sisley.co.uk/booking-form/ or click the BOOK NOW button below. As soon as we receive your booking form, we will confirm availability on the tour of your choice and arrange collection of your 10% deposit which secures your booking.
BOOK NOWHOW TO PAY
There are three ways to pay for your tour and you will be asked on the booking form which you prefer:
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With your own travel agent: We are happy to work with your preferred travel agent. Just provide us with their contact details on the booking form and we will take care of the rest.
TRAVEL INSURANCE AND BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
It is mandatory for all overseas visitors to the UK to have travel insurance before joining our tours. Full details of our booking terms & conditions can be found at www.sisley.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section on our website for further information www.sisley.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/
We very much look forward to welcoming you, but please email tours@sisley.co.uk if you have any queries.
