Chatsworth Flower Show, Oxford and Private Cotswolds’ Gardens
Saturday 6th June – Friday 12th 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 starts in the historic city of Oxford where we explore ancient University Colleges and immerse ourselves in exquisite private gardens of the surrounding Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Tour then moves onto the stunning Peak District National Park where we will 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 & Gardens included
- One year’s membership to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
- Exclusive visits to the private gardens of Eastleach House, Oxleaze Farm, Westwell Manor, Broughton Grange and Cottesbrooke Hall
- A Sunday in Burford – a day to enjoy this quintessential small medieval Cotswolds town with private access to its hidden gardens, some of which have featured in Country Life & Gardens Illustrated magazines
- Pre-opening visit to the medieval Haddon Hall
- Oxford walking tour visiting a historic university college and Oxford Botanic Gardens
- Visit to the Peak District spa town of Buxton
Photo credits: VisitBritain – Oxford; Chatsworth House. Our thanks to Chatsworth House for use of their images. Other images copyright Sisley Garden Tours.
After our morning pick-up at Heathrow Airport, we make our way to the historic city of Oxford. We have lunch (included) before meeting 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 then check-in to the centrally located, 4-star Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel. Your evening is at leisure in Oxford, an opportunity to explore the many cafes and restaurants on our hotel’s doorstep.
Sunday 7th June
The Burford Festival is a superb biennial event, giving access to some of the best private gardens around this picturesque small Cotswolds town over their June ‘Gardens Weekend’. Whilst 2020 is not a Festival year, we have managed to negotiate exclusive access to some of Burford’s very best private gardens – some of which have featured in Gardens Illustrated and Country Life. We will meet our host, a Burford garden owner and garden designer and enjoy coffee (included) at one of two gardens to be visited in the morning. We’ll then have free time to explore Burford’s delightful independent shops and have time for lunch in one of the excellent cafes or pubs (independent). In the afternoon, we reconvene to explore more beautiful private gardens.
We return to Oxford for a private dinner at nearby restaurant, Quod, an Oxford favourite (included).
Monday 8th June
Today we explore the delightful south-east corner of the Cotswolds (designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and begin with 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 and were recently celebrated by the BBC’s ‘Gardener’s World’ programme.
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 a private lunch (included) in the very attractive Cotswolds Barn.
We end our day with a third private garden, 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.
We return to Oxford where your evening is at leisure.
Tuesday 9th June
We depart Oxford after checking out of our hotel. Our garden visit today is to Broughton Grange Gardens. The gardens are beautifully set in 350 acres of parkland, farmland and open meadow, with planting that owes its origins to the Victorian era. However it is in the past twenty years that the beautiful garden rooms, designed by Tom Stuart Smith, have been created and now represent one of the most significant private contemporary gardens in Britain. It is an absolute delight. We have a light lunch here (included) and a guided gardens tour.
En-route to our hotel in the Peak District National Park we make a short stop in Buxton – a fascinating spa town which has recently undergone extensive restoration of its beautiful Georgian buildings.
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. Buffet dinner in the hotel (included).
Wednesday 10th June
This morning we see one of England’s finest examples of a medieval manor – the Tudor Haddon Hall. We’ll have refreshments on arrival then the opportunity to explore 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 gardens at Thornbridge Hall, 12 acres of quintessential English gardens, recently redeveloped and improved by the current owners. This garden was originally laid out by the owner to see ’50 shades of green’ from his window.
On our return to the hotel, we have dinner (included).
Thursday 11th 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). The gardens and grounds are equally impressive and there will be plenty of time to explore all areas.
We enjoy our final dinner together (included) in the hotel which is noted for its excellent restaurant.
Friday 12th June
After checking out of our hotel, we head to London Heathrow Airport. En-route we make a stop at Cottesbrooke Hall, a privately owned Queen Anne style house with superb award-winning gardens. The gardens have become a show piece for both Arts & Crafts and contemporary garden design. We have a private guided tour of the gardens and a light lunch (included).
We will drop off at London Heathrow Airport in the late afternoon followed by an early evening drop-off in central London at Victoria Station. Please check with us if you are planning to take a flight home that evening. 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.
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.
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.
| 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; 4 lunches and 4 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.
