Gardens of Devon

Date: Thursday 10th - Sunday 13th May, 2012

Cost: €660 per person sharing

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE IRISH GARDEN MAGAZINE

Itinerary:

Devon, situated in the south west of England and bordering Cornwall, has seaside resorts, historic towns and cities, rural scenery and a mild climate which aids the growth in its wonderful gardens. Exeter, the capital city of Devon, is home to the magnificent Exeter Cathedral, which dates back to Norman times. The surrounding areas of Devon with sweeping countryside, narrow hedged roads and lavish green fields are only a few miles from the centre.

Thursday 10 May
Iain MacDonald will meet you at Dublin airport for your mid morning flight to Exeter. Coach transfer to Knightshayes, where the house is enclosed by terraces planted in gentle colours. A sunken and fully restored Victorian walled garden add interest but the highlight is the magical 'Garden in the Wood' sheltering magnolias, rhododendrons, cornus and other choice woodland plants. We are based in the Mercure Southgate Hotel, located in the heart of Exeter with unrivalled views of the historic cathedral. Dine together each evening as a group in the hotel. http://www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-6624-mercure-exeter-southgate-hotel/index.shtml

Friday 11 May
Depart after breakfast for Marwood Hill, where over 5,000 varieties of plants enliven this 20 acre garden in a delightful setting. We then travel across Dartmoor to the RHS garden at Rosemoor. This 65-acre garden is a place of beauty, meticulously crafted and planted, retaining the essence of rural North Devon within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides. It also has an excellent shop and restaurant.

Saturday 12 May
Free morning to explore Exeter, departing after lunch to visit Castle Drogo. Designed by Sir Edward Lutyens, this was the last castle to be built in England and is probably the last private house in the country to be built entirely of granite. Shelter belts enclose spectacular formal gardens; curved paths and steps lead to wonderful herbaceous borders while avenues of maples and spring-flowering shrubs give way to the immaculate croquet lawn.

Sunday 13 May
Check out of hotel and travel to Wildside Garden & Nursery and then on to The Garden House, first developed in the 40's by Lionel Fortescue and more recently by Keith Wiley. It has been described as 'one of the most exciting and innovative gardens in Britain today'. This six-acre garden contains winding paths, breathtaking vistas and a myriad collection of plants in a naturalistic series of communities. Then we visit Coleton Fishacre. The garden covers 30 acres surrounding a house built for Rupert and Lady d'Oyly Carte. Extensive shelter belts allow sub-tropical plants to flourish and tender plants thrive in the walled gardens and on the terraces around the house. Our evening flight to Dublin arrives at 20.25.

GUIDES: Iain MacDonald, a qualified and experienced gardener and guide, escorts this tour; he will be available at all times to help and advise you.

HOTEL: We are based in the Mercure Southgate Hotel, located in the heart of Exeter with unrivalled views of the historic cathedral. Dine together each evening as a group in the hotel. http://www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-6624-mercure-exeter-southgate-hotel/index.shtml

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

Cost includes ...

• return airfare
• hotel with breakfast and dinner
• private coach transfers
• entrances to all gardens.

COST: €660.00 per person sharing

Single Supplement: €75.00

Deposit: €250.00 – Cheque or bank draft payable to Bay Garden Tours.

All of our tours have a final booking date but as our numbers are limited, they tend to book out before those dates (particularly single rooms) so we would recommend early booking.

Itinerary subject to change