England

Glorious Gardens and Classic Castles

RHS Wisley & the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew

Wisley Gardens, is acclaimed by gardeners throughout the world and no matter what the season, the garden is a unique and enchanting place that people return to time and time again. For many, it is the beauty and tranquility of the garden that captures the imagination, with its richly planted borders, luscious rose gardens coupled with the exotica of the glasshouses.

The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew is now a World Heritage site and wonderful place to explore! Take a walk through the Gardens and discover beautiful vistas, lakes, and pathways. Catch a glimpse of Kew's iconic Pagoda and a whole host of follies, temples and historic buildings, which reflect Kew's rich heritage. It's also worth remembering that Kew grows more species in its 300 acres than any other garden in the world.

Kent, 'The Garden of England'

Shrouded in mist, mystery and legend, Leeds Castle rises from its own lake amidst one of England's most picturesque counties. Nearby is one of the world's most celebrated gardens, Sissinghurst, the creation of Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson, which was developed around the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion, intimate in scale and romantic in atmosphere.

Another highlight of the tour is your visit to Penshurst Place. This medieval masterpiece is surrounded by picturesque countryside and ancient parkland and has changed little over
the centuries.

Magical Castles & Gardens of the North

Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England (after Windsor), has been the home of the Percys (the Earls and Dukes of Northumberland) since 1309. It is surrounded by parkland, a beautiful and unspoilt setting for filmmakers; most famously in recent years as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies.

Next to the Castle is Alnwick Garden; one of the most exciting contemporary gardens developed in the last century, a magical landscape created from a unique idea by the Duchess of Northumberland, who's vision was to create a beautiful public space accessible to everyone; a garden for contemplation, fun, inspiration and education.

In addition we've included Belsay Hall & Gardens (definitely a plantsman's garden) where much of the original planting survives, including magnificent magnolias. The adjacent castle is dramatic, with a well-preserved medieval tower house, to which a Jacobean manor house was added in 1614. Today, Belsay has something for everyone: a magical mansion with a fascinating history, wonderful additional buildings and a unique garden for all seasons.