The Gardens of Kent & Sussex

Date: Tuesday 18th - Friday 21st September, 2012

Cost: €685 per person sharing

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE IRISH GARDEN MAGAZINE

Itinerary:

Because of its abundance of orchards and hop fields, Kent is known as 'The Garden of England' and this tour provides an opportunity to visit some of the best known gardens in this county and in the adjoining county of Sussex. This entire area, steeped in heritage and history, is famous for its picturesque villages and beautiful countryside and is home to the renowned Sissinghurst Gardens and Great Dixter Gardens amongst others.

Tuesday 18 September
Meet Frances MacDonald at Dublin Airport for your morning flight to Gatwick. On arrival we are transported by private coach to Sissinghurst; this internationally renowned garden was developed by Vita Sackville-West and Sir Harold Nicolson. It comprises of small enclosed compartments, with colour throughout the season. Then on to Pashley Manor which is a quintessential English garden offering a sumptuous blend of imaginative planting and romantic landscaping. Transfer back to hotel. This tour is based at the Mercure Hotel near Tunbridge Wells - all facilities including swimming pool – Notcutts Garden Centre across the road. Dine together in hotel each evening.

Wednesday 19 September
Two gardens today, beginning with Merriments Garden & Nursery, 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. Free time in Rye to lunch and explore this ancient town which is perched on a hill, overlooking the River Rother and Romney Marsh, with enchanting cobbled streets, medieval church and beautifully preserved historic houses from medieval, Tudor and Georgian times. In the afternoon, we travel to Great Dixter – the late Christopher Lloyd's wonderful and unique garden.

Thursday 20 September
Our first garden visit is to Sarah Raven's Garden which is an intensive, productive garden stretching to two acres with different garden rooms full of annuals and biennials for picking for the house or table. There is a new vegetable garden, herb and fruit garden. Then to Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and later, was owned by Anne of Cleeves – both wives of Henry VIII. Between 1904 -1908., marshland was turned into spectacular gardens which have now reached their full maturity and includes the colourful walled Rose Garden which contains over 3,000 plants and the 110 metre herbaceous border. One of the most magnificent areas of the gardens is the Italian Garden, which was designed to display William Waldorf Astor's collection of Italian sculpture.

Friday 21 September
Check out of hotel after breakfast and we visit the spa town of Tunbridge Wells before visiting a National Trust Garden– Nymans which is set in the High Weald with splendid views, the garden is a series of experimental designs with spectacular planting and beauty all year. Then on to Wakehurst Place which is the country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The varied landscape is of international significance for its beautiful botanic gardens and tree collections, as well as for its science-based plant conservation and research. Depart for Gatwick and return flight to Dublin arriving home at 22.10.

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

HOTEL: This tour is based at the Mercure Hotel near Tunbridge Wells

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

Cost includes ...

• flights
  
• all private coach transfers
  
• garden entrances
  
• full board in hotel

COST: €685.00 per person sharing

Single Supplement: €80.00

Triple rooms available

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