The Chelsea Flower Show Tour

Date: Tuesday, 25th - Friday, 28th May 2010

Cost: €725 per person sharing

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE IRISH GARDEN MAGAZINE

Itinerary:

The Chelsea Flower Show is a must for every gardener to visit and, for many of our clients, it has become an annual event. The RHS has added an additional day for the Chelsea Flower Show while not increasing the number of tickets – this has helped considerably in reducing the crowds. We visit on the first day that it opens to the public. This tour also includes the famous gardens of Sissinghurst and Great Dixter and a visit to the RHS gardens at Wisley.

Tuesday, May 25th
Meet Iain MacDonald at Dublin Airport for your morning flight to Gatwick. On arrival we are transported by private coach to the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens at Wisley. A guided tour of the gardens will take you through the woodland, rockery, alpine area, herbaceous borders, greenhouses and model garden areas. There will be free time to have lunch,
explore on one’s own and visit the excellent Plant Centre, restaurant and shop. We then travel to Tunbridge Wells where we are based at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, which has all the usual facilities including a swimming pool, and even Notcutts Garden Centre across the road! Dinner together in hotel. www.ramadajarvis.co.uk/hotels/tunbridgewells.aspx

Wednesday, May 26th
A morning visit to Merriments Gardens, a combination of specialist nursery and a large garden. Developed over the past ten years, the use of colour and form has won wide acclaim. We lunch in Rye with free time to browse in the delightful curio shops. The afternoon is spent at Great Dixter – the late Christopher Lloyd’s wonderful and unique garden. Dinner together in hotel.

Thursday, May 27th
After breakfast we travel to the Chelsea Flower Show where we will spend the day. Maps and an introductory talk on how to make the best of the show will be given during the journey by Iain. Return to hotel for dinner together.

Friday, May 28th
Check out of hotel after breakfast. Our first visit is to Pashley Manor Gardens, a quintessential English garden offering a sumptuous blend of
imaginative planting and romantic landscaping. We then travel to Sissinghurst, the magnificent gardens created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, now run by the National Trust. Depart for Gatwick and return flight to Dublin arriving home at 23.00.

Iain MacDonald, a qualified, experienced gardener and plantsman, escorts this tour.
He will be available at all times to help and advise you.

Further details from: Frances MacDonald (tours@thebaygarden.com)

Triple rooms available. Cost includes flights, all private coach transfers, gardens and show entrance fees and full board in hotel.

COST: €725.00 per person sharing

Single Supplement: €100.00

Deposit: €250.00 – Payable to Bay Garden Tours.

Itinerary subject to change