Gardens of The Lake District

Date: Monday, 28th June - Thursday, 1st July 2010

Cost: €665 per person sharing

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE IRISH GARDEN MAGAZINE

Itinerary:

We return again to the Lake District with its wonderful gardens, all set in the magnificent countryside of the Lake District National Park, one of the most picturesque parts of England, immortalised by the poetry of Wordsworth. Majestic mountains rise above the wonderful lakes of Ullswater, Wastwater, Ennerdale and Windermere – England’s largest lake. Our journeys to garden take us through wonderful scenery and quaint market towns.

Monday, June 28th
Iain MacDonald will meet you at Dublin airport for your mid-day Aer Lingus flight to Manchester which arrives at 14.45. We drive to the pretty town of Kendal and are based in the Castle Green Hotel on the edge of the Lake District and set in 14 acres of gardens and woodlands. Time to relax or stroll around before dining together as a group. www.castlegreen.co.uk

Tuesday, June 29th
Our first visit of the day is to Dalemain Historic House and Garden. A Tudor knot garden and Stuart terrace mirror the evolution of this historic house from medieval times. The gardens blossomed in the 20th century with shrubs, old-fashioned roses, herbaceous borders and woodland walks. The Lakeland Horticultural Society maintains and develops Holehird, the 10 acre garden which we visit in the afternoon. It features a vast range of plants including several national collections, all against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery. Return to hotel for dinner together.

Wednesday, June 30th
Today we visit High Cleabarrow, a plantswoman’s garden created over 20 years, with a wealth of herbaceous perennials and rare shrubs, in island beds and borders. We travel to the town of Ambleside, one of the most famous and historic places in the Lake District. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we trace the life of William Wordsworth, first visiting Rydal Mount - the house where he lived for 37 years and in which he created the garden which is still maintained as a memorial to him today. We then visit Dove Cottage, now a museum and art gallery, where Wordsworth lived with his sister Dorothy and produced some of his finest poems. Dine together in hotel.

Thursday, July 1st
Check out of hotel after breakfast and travel to Holker Hall, one of the most beautiful stately homes in England with varied formal gardens surrounding the house, blending into parkland with magical views over Morecambe Bay. In the afternoon, we visit Levens Hall, a world renowned topiary garden dating from 1694. Formality is extended with colourful carpet bedding, while a more naturalistic feel is evident in the borders and vegetable garden. Our return flight to Dublin arrives at 21.35hrs.

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)

Cost includes flights, private coach transfers, hotel with breakfast and dinner, and garden and house entrances and guided tours.

COST: €665.00 per person sharing

Single Supplement: €130.00

Deposit: €200.00 – Payable to Bay Garden Tours.

Itinerary subject to change