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Chelsea Flower Show & the Gardens of England

A new itinerary through Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire to see an astonishing selection of the world’s finest gardens. Highlight is RHS members’ Opening Day at the Chelsea Flower Show. Stay in London, Tunbridge Wells, Winchester and Richmond. You will be pampered all the way on this spring fling.

  • $10,995 AUD
  • 12 Days
  • calendar-icon 20 – 31 MAY 2024
  • Early bird expires soon
Book This Tour
Itinerary
  • sun iconDay 1
  • calendar icon Monday 20 May 2024
Chelsea in Bloom (D)

Our tour starts this afternoon with a walk down Sloane Street for ‘Chelsea in Bloom’. Meet up with your Ross Tour Leader, Colin Barlow, in the hotel foyer. Shops and squares are decorated with fresh flower displays. It’s an exciting prelude to opening day tomorrow of the Chelsea Flower Show. Pre-dinner drinks this evening in our hotel will allow us to get acquainted and Colin will give an introduction to our tour; followed by our Welcome Dinner in the hotel restaurant.

  • sun iconDay 2
  • calendar icon Tuesday 21 May 2024
Chelsea Flower Show (B)

Special members tickets for Opening Day at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show. Enjoy multimillion-dollar show gardens and the smaller artisan gardens. Browse flower exhibits in the Great Pavilion and treat yourself in the shopping avenue! Late afternoon transfer to your hotel. Evening free.

  • sun iconDay 3
  • calendar icon Wednesday 22 May 2024
Churchill’s Chartwell (B/L)

The home and garden of Winston and Clementine Churchill for 40 years, Chartwell is our destination this morning. In its extraordinary setting, overlooking the Weald of Kent, Chartwell is now in the expert hands of the National Trust. Terraced gardens laid out by the Churchills overlook the lake and Walled Garden, built by Sir Winston himself. Walk through the walled garden, cut flower, vegetable and rose gardens, orchard, Butterfly Walk, Marlborough Terrace for a glimpse into the life and times of the Churchill family. The House itself is included in our visit; interiors remain much as they were when Churchill lived here, intimate and well preserved. After lunch travel to nearby Hever Castle that dates back 700 years, with a magnificent suite of gardens. Marshland was drained and gardens were made in 1904 when William Waldorf Astor set about restoring the castle to its former glory. Travel back to Tunbridge Wells.

  • sun iconDay 4
  • calendar icon Thursday 23 May 2024
Borde Hill (B/L)

Garden set within 81ha (200 acres) of woodland and parkland in Haywards Heath, West Sussex with magnificent views across the Ouse Valley viaduct. The garden has distinct ‘rooms’, each with its own unique style and character. Subtropical Round Dell, the Rose Garden, Italian Garden and Paradise Walk. Lunch included today.

  • sun iconDay 5
  • calendar icon Friday 24 May 2024
Sissinghurst & Great Dixter (B/D)

Two influential gardens today! Sissinghurst, loved for its balance and harmony, garden rooms and inspired planting combinations; the result of the partnership between Vita Sackville-West and Sir Harold Nicolson. Cimb the tower for a fabulous view, and peep into Vita’s writing room. Explore each compartment of the garden, walk down to the Moat, herb garden and through to the new Delos Garden, a landscape of ruined stone fragments and Mediterranean plants, inspired by their visits to the Greek island. This garden has been re-created by Dan Pearson and opened in 2021 . Travel on to Christopher Lloyd’s Great Dixter, overwhelming and boisterous, and densely packed with plants. Now under the carefull stewardship of Fergus Garrett, who will give us his guided tour. Travel on to Tunbridge Wells, historic Spa town in Kent. Check in to Spa Hotel for the next four nights. Dinner is included this evening.

  • sun iconDay 6
  • calendar icon Saturday 25 May 2024
Nymans (B/L)

Travel into Sussex today to Nymans, originally the home of Ludwig Messel who bought the Estate in the Sussex High Weald in the 1890 to make a dream family home. Inspired by the magnificent wooded surroundings, he created a garden with plants collected from around the world. The house was partially destroyed by fire in 1947. The enclosed ruined Gothic styled Great Hall has recently been transformed into a small garden that includes many plants introduced to western horticulture by the Messel family and their gardeners, all grown in giant planters and pots. Lunch is included at Nymans before we travel back to Tunbridge Wells. Free afternoon.

  • sun iconDay 7
  • calendar icon Sunday 26 May 2024
Wakehurst (B/D)

We are heading to Winchester today with a visit to Wakehurst, the wild botanic garden managed by Kew Gardens. It’s home to the Millenium Seed Bank, the world’s largest store of seeds from wild plant species. In this ancient and beautiful landscape in the Sussex High Weald this diverse collection of plants from Britain and around the globe thrives within a tapestry of gardens, woodlands, meadows and wetlands. Knepp Estate is next, a brand new “rewilding” project. Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell have brought a failing farm back from financial ruin and in the process created habitat for wildlife. It’s a biodiverse Wilderness Area in the Low Weald of Sussex, one of the most exciting wildlife conservation projects in the UK, and indeed in Europe, bringing back nature; hope for the future. Beautiful and inspiring! Travel on through Sussex and Surrey into Hampshire to our hotel in Winchester for the next four nights.

  • sun iconDay 8
  • calendar icon Monday 27 May 2024
Uppark (B/L)

We are travelling into the picturesque South Downs today to Uppark, built in 1690 with gardens designed by Humphrey Repton. First is a guided tour of the gardens, then lunch in the old Orangery. Afternoon tour through the State rooms of the house, filled with treasures. On our way back to Winchester we will stop at the ancient market town of Petersfield.

  • sun iconDay 9
  • calendar icon Tuesday 28 May 2024
Mottisfont Rose Gardens (B/L)

Mottisfont is highly regarded as one of the world’s finest rose gardens. The walled garden is home to the National Collection of pre-1900 old garden roses, which reach their peak in early summer. Lunch inlcuded today. These roses tend to flower just once a year, an extraordinary sight. Created by emminent rosarian, Graham Stuart Thomas in 1970, who selected old varieties that may otherwise have become extinct. Travel back to Winchester with the afternoon free. Option to attend Evensong in the exquisite Winchester Cathedral this evening.

  • sun iconDay 10
  • calendar icon Wednesday 29 May 2024
Malverleys (B)

Meet head Gardener, Matt Reese this morning at Malverleys, a private garden that has captured world interest and acclaim, thanks to his skill and dedication. Exquisite long borders, abundant Terrace Garden, shady Stumpery and prolific flower meadow; it’s a triumph! Travel on to Richmond and our Petersham Hotel.

  • sun iconDay 11
  • calendar icon Thursday 30 June 2024
RHS Wisley (B/D)

Wisley, showpiece of the RHS with an impressive suite of gardens. Glasshouse with gardens designed by Tom Stuart-Smith and Piet Oudolf’s new perennial borders. The afternoon is free to either relax or go exploring in Richmond. Farewell dinner to share highlights and bid farewell as we head home or travel further.

  • sun iconDay 12
  • calendar icon Friday 31 May 2024
Tour ends (B)

Our tour ends at breakfast this morning. Check out of the hotel at your own convenience.

How to Book
To secure your booking and make your deposit, please complete our

online booking form

You will be contacted by a Ross Tours Travel Manager to confirm your details and preferred method of payment.

Cancellation Policy
  • Cancellations received prior to departure will incur loss of deposit.
  • Cancellations received between 119-60 days prior to departure will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
  • Cancellations received between 59-30 days prior to departure will incur a 75% cancellation fee plus any non-recoverable costs incurred.
  • Cancellations received within 30 days prior to departure will incur 100% cancellation fee.
  • Cancellations must be sent in writing.
  • Cancellation fee is based upon the total amounts paid including tours, airfares and all other travel arrangements.

Please refer to the Ross Garden Tours standard terms and conditions

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Garden Tours England: Witness the Blossoming Beauty of England’s World-Famous Gardens

Escape to the enchanting world of England’s exquisite gardens on our unforgettable garden tours. Immerse yourself in a springtime wonderland, where blossoms adorn every corner, bluebells carpet the meadows, and wildflowers paint a vibrant picture. Join us as we embark on an extraordinary journey through the stunning locations like the Cornish Coast, Kent, Oxford, the Cotswolds, Bath, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Winchester and London. Discover hidden gems like Kiftsgate and Hidcote, wander through the remarkable Lost Gardens of Heligan, witness the world famous Sissinghurst and Great Dixter and explore the revolutionary Eden Project. Indulge in exclusive experiences, including VIP access on RHS members’- only opening day of the renowned Chelsea Flower Show. Book your garden adventure today and witness the splendour of England’s floral treasures led by luminary tour guides.

Tour Inclusions
robin-powell
Tour Escorted by Robin Powell
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  • ac-icon Air-conditioned motorcoach throughout tour
  • bed-icon Deluxe accommodation for 11 nights
  • lunch-icon Breakfast daily, 5 lunches & 4 dinners

Entrance fees to all gardens & sightseeing incl. including

  • Opening Day at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Chartwell, Hever Castle, Borde Hill, East Grinsted, Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, Nymans, Wakehurst, Knepp, Uppark, Bramdean, Mottisfont, Hillier Gardens, Malverleys, RHS Wisley.
TOUR PRICE
  • Twin Share land only
    $10,995 AUD per person
  • Single Supplement
    $1,995 AUD
  • All prices in Australian Dollars.
  • Prices based on minimum 15 passengers.
Book This Tour
DISCOUNTS
Early Bird
$300.00
Book & pay in full by
calendar icon 15 December 2023
  • Previous Traveller
    $100.00
  • Garden Clinic Member
    $50.00
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