The highlight of the fascinating gardening year, the Chelsea Flower Show is the centrepiece of our garden-themed touring programme. Be surprised by the award-winning gardens, learn new gardening tips and admire the resplendent flower displays in the hall. This 7-day small gropu tour includes some of London's most iconic gardens, an escorted day at the Chelsea Flower Show and an exploration into the homes and gardens of Kent. Take inspiration from the gardens, learn of their history from our passionate guides and enjoy this truly unique and fascinating tour.

With a maximum group size of 16, you will benefit from the customised services of a knowledgeable driver/guide, shared guided tours at places of interest along the way and travel in style in a luxury mini-coach.

This special Small group tour begins on May 19, 2012 and is guaranteed with a minimum of 4 participants. In general, the maximum group size is 16. Add as many days before and after the event as you wish with private guides, transportation and destinations within England or beyond - speak to your Sales Advisor if you need inspiration on how to add some time to your stay!

London is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. An important settlement for two millennia, London's history goes back to its founding by the Romans. Since its settlement, London has been part of many important movements and phenomena throughout history, such as the English Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, and the Gothic Revival. London is one of the world's leading business, financial and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts contribute to its status as a major global city. The city boasts four World Heritage Sites: The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church; the Tower of London; the historic settlement of Greenwich; and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Meet your driver at Heathrow airport, and take a private transfer to your hotel.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

One of the world's great cities, vibrant London manages to shine in the greyest weather and its diversity defies a simple definition. This sprawling city has drawn people for centuries, looking for something and finding the unexpected. It's one of the world's most international cities and its influences blend to create something uniquely wonderful. Let your Guide know your particular interests and he/she will help you discover the city in a new way. Learn how to take the "tube", explore the cobblestone streets, gardens, and markets, and be a Londoner for a day. Your Guide will meet you at your hotel. Please note that one should wear comfortable shoes and a hat; suitable for children. (No entrance fees included)

Within walking distance to your central London hotel, enjoy a fantastic meal out at one of the best restaurants in the West End. A few suggestions: J Sheekey, an incredibly smart seafood restaurant, Lindsay House, specializing in Irish cuisine, Mildred's, London's best veggie restaurant, Sketch, the trendiest place in London, specializing in some of the best french food you'll ever taste, or for those looking for something simple and cheerful, enjoy a nice meal out at Zipangu.

The Lancaster Gate Hotel Hyde Park (formerly Park Inn Hyde Park Hotel) and be a stone's throw away from the beautiful Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. The hotel is also just minutes away from underground stations, bus stations, and the airport.Lancaster Gate Hotel Hyde Park is a good place for business and leisure activities. It is equipped with recreational facilities that include a gym, as well as a health and fitness center, as well as Meeting rooms.

Overnight at Lancaster Gate.

Meet up with your fellow floral enthusiasts this morning (approx. 8.30am) at the Lancaster Gate Hotel in central London and get ready to see some of southern Englands best horitcultural examples and fine manor houses and estates.

Your Small group multi-day tour begins with two of the most popular and iconic of England’s homes and gardens. Leaving London you head first to Wisley, the world-renowned home of the Royal Horticultural Society, where you will have plenty of time to explore the spectacular and varied gardens. You will see the stunning Glasshouse, housing over 5,000 varieties of tropical plant, the Fruit Orchard, the dramatic Rock Garden and a myriad of fascinating horticultural innovations. Winston Churchill's home of Chartwell requires no introduction. What makes it such a memorable visit is not only the view from the garden which inspired his painting, but the fact that the interior is almost as he left it. You can almost smell the cigars! Churchill loved the house, especially the view over the Weald of Kent, and he transformed the grounds with new lakes and brickwork built with his own hands.

Enjoy a delicious welcome dinner with the other members of your tour.

The Royal Wells Hotel provides a delightful setting for a stay in the charming spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells.
A perfect blend of Victorian elegance and modern comfort and luxury, our individually designed rooms offer a calm haven after a busy day, whilst Chalybeate Restaurant and Beau Nash pub provide an extensive range of eating and drinking options. The Royal Wells Hotel owes it regal title to Queen Victoria, who made frequent visits as a young princess in the early nineteenth century. She later granted the use of her coat of arms, which is proudly displayed at the top of the building.

Overnight at The Royal Wells Hotel (B) or similar.

Ightham Mote is deservedly one of the most popular small gardens in the region. Here you can explore 650 years of history in one of the most complete examples of a medieval moated manor house. Those of you interested in historical novels might remember it as the setting for Anya Seton’s “Green Darkness”. The house is surrounded by a beautiful garden with lakes and woodland, and the constant sound of running water creates a charming experience.

Next today you visit Knole, one of the great treasure houses of England set in a magnificent deer park. The birthplace and childhood home of Vita Sackville-West, who went on to create the gardens at Sissinghurst, Knole was also the setting for Virginia Woolf’s novel “Orlando”. The last visit of the day is to Scotney Castle which has been termed England's most romantic garden, with Victorian terraces covered in a riot of coloured shrubs overlooking a 14th century moated castle. The estate, covering some 770 acres, is a delightful mix of woodland, park and meadows and colourful displays can be found through most of the seasons.

Overnight at The Royal Wells Hotel (B) or similar.

Hever Castle is certainly a highlight today. Hever is many people's idea of what a “real” castle should be, from its gateway and courtyard to its surrounding moat. Though dating back to 1270, and being the family home of one of Henry VIII's ill-fated wives (Anne Boleyn), it also has a relatively contemporary feel provided by the Astors, who took over and restored the castle in the early part of the last century. With a 30-acre garden, including a unique Italian garden filled with roses and statues, there's plenty to admire here.

Then you travel on to the fabulous Sissinghurst Castle and Vita Sackville-West's world-famous garden, which requires no introduction to garden enthusiasts. There will be plenty of time to explore this intimate and intricate garden and to visit those parts of her home open to the public.

Overnight at The Royal Wells Hotel (B) or similar.

This region is blessed with delightful homes and gardens. Merriments Gardens is, in the words of the RHS Garden Finder, “one of the best show gardens in England”. It is a stunningly beautiful four acres of densely-planted borders, where the plants grown in the nursery can be seen in an imaginative garden context. Another icon is Great Dixter, the largest half-timbered house in England. But it is the garden that really grabs the attention with its wild meadows and famed Long Border. A fabulous mix of yew topiary, meadow flowers, natural ponds and the wonderful Exotic Garden, it is one that cannot be missed.

Then it is on to Pashley Manor, the very essence of an English Garden. Surrounding a wonderful timber-framed Tudor house dating from around 1550, the gardens are a fabulous blend of romantic landscaping, imaginative plantings, fine trees, fountains and springs, displaying many eras of English history.

Overnight at The Coach & Horses (B) or similar.

The London day concentrates on some of the gardens and stately homes that run along the banks of the Thames to the west of the city like a string of pearls. Begin your day in the famed Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew, which is responsible for the world’s largest collection of living plants. These living collections include more than 30,000 different kinds of plant. A world heritage site, the gardens and magnificent glasshouses are located in 121 hectares of stunning vistas, set in a beautiful landscape beside the Thames.

A short distance away, under the watchful eye of Richmond Hill, sits Ham House. This magnificent Stuart mansion, with its lavish 17th century interiors, can boast one of the last-remaining formal Dutch gardens. The extensive and beautiful gardens include the much-photographed Cherry Garden, pots and tubs, colourful flower borders and an Orangery.

Overnight at The Coach & Horses (B) or similar.

The world famous CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW is your central feature of the day. Spend a full day exploring the magnificent gardens and displays showcases the finest gardening designs and planting techniques. There are always surprises to be discovered during the day.

The Chelsea Flower Show receives a lot of publicity. It is attended by 157,000 visitors each year (a number limited by the capacity of the 11-acre (45,000 m2) ground), and all tickets must be purchased in advance. From 2005 the show was increased from four days to five, with the first two days only open to RHS members. The show is extensively covered on television by the BBC. Several members of the British Royal Family attend a preview of the show, as part of the royal patronage of the RHS. The area of land devoted to show gardens increased steadily between 1970 and 2000 and the show has become an important venue for watching trends. New plants are often launched at the show and the popularity of older varieties revived under the focus of the horticultural world.

Overnight at The Coach & Horses (B) or similar.

Today you visit the Chilterns, a region of the UK that can truly be described as a hidden secret. The Savill Garden near Windsor is one of Britain’s greatest ornamental gardens, enjoyed by horticulturalists and enthusiasts alike, who come to explore its 35 acres of contemporary and classically-designed gardens and exotic woodland.

Then on to Cliveden, known particularly for its links with the Astors, with its magnificent series of formal gardens overlooking the River Thames, each with its own style and character. The spectacular estate features roses, topiary, statuary, water gardens, formal parterres, with woodland and riverside walks. And glimpse the famous balustrade which graces the terrace of the house, acquired by the Astors from the Villa Borghese in Rome.

Your small group tour concludes this afternoon in central London at the Lancaster Gate Hotel at approximately 5.30pm.

Overnight at Lancaster Gate.

Consider any number of shared or private tours such as a guided tour of the TATE modern museum, a city highlights tour, a hop on hop off city tour taking you to all of the main sights within the city and allowing you to get on and off as often as you like. For activities further afield, consider a day trip to Oxford and Blenheim palace or Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you would like more information on optional tours and activities that you could add to your itinerary.

Meet your driver at your hotel and be taken to Heathrow Airport by a private transfer.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).