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Chelsea Flower Show & the Gardens of England

Come with us to an England up to its knees in spring blossom, carpets of bluebells and meadows of wildflowers. Our England tour includes the beautiful Cornish Coast, Oxford, Cotswolds, Bath and London. It’s a mix of heavenly gardens with special tickets to Opening Day at the Chelsea Flower Show.

  • $10,028.97 USD
  • 12 Days
  • calendar-icon 17 - 28 MAY 2027
  • Selling fast!
Book this tour
Itinerary
  • sun iconDay 1
  • calendar icon Monday 17 May 2027
London (D)

Check-in to your hotel and meet up with your Tour Leader, Colin Barlow, for an optional afternoon walk down Sloane Street for ‘Chelsea in Bloom’ with shops and squares are decorated with stunning flower displays.

Celebrate with a Welcome Dinner at your hotel tonight.

  • sun iconDay 2
  • calendar icon Tuesday 18 May 2027
Opening Day at the Chelsea Flower Show (B)

Chelsea Flower Show, the most prestigious event in the horticultural calendar. ‘Opening Day’ is reserved for VIPs and members of the Royal Horticultural Society only.

Enjoy multimillion-dollar show gardens and the smaller artisan gardens. There’s time to browse the flower exhibits in the Great Pavilion and treat yourself in the shopping avenue!

We’ll have the whole day at Chelsea and head back to the hotel late afternoon. Optional earlier departure from Chelsea back to our hotel.

  • sun iconDay 3
  • calendar icon Wednesday 19 May 2027
West Green (B/L/D)

You head to Hampshire today with lunch included at West Green House, the home and garden of famous Aussie expat Marylyn Abbott. While the garden pays homage to its 18th-century origins, Marylyn’s sense of fun is given plenty of room to play. And her energy is unstoppable; the latest ‘Garden of the Five Bridges’ solves the problem of water draining from fields beyond with a 190m serpentine windrush draining water into the lake; all with exquisite planting scheme. The potager is beautiful and productive with two soft fruit cages at its heart and roses, clematis and honeysuckle smothering the walls. It is a special treat.

Afternoon arrival into the University town of Oxford and check-in into the Hotel Randolph in the city centre for the next four nights. Dinner included tonight.

  • sun iconDay 4
  • calendar icon Thursday 20 May 2027
The Cotswolds (B/L)

Travel up into the Cotswolds today to visit Kiftsgate and Hidcote. Heather Muir created the garden at the 19th century Kiftsgate House from sloping woods and was helped by her lifelong friend Lawrence Johnston who created Hidcote just 1 mile away. Its magnificent location on the steep edge of the Cotswolds, makes Kiftsgate so magical.

Hidcote Manor is almost next door. You’ll discover why this Arts and Crafts garden of Lawrence Johnston, made between the two World Wars, has been so influential. We’ll lose ourselves in the ‘scratch and sniff’ series of garden rooms and learn how evergreen hedges define these garden rooms. Lunch included today.

Hidcote Manor is almost next door. We’ll discover why this Arts and Crafts garden of Lawrence Johnston, made between the two World Wars, has been so influential. We’ll lose ourselves in the ‘scratch and sniff’ series of garden rooms and learn how evergreen hedges define these garden rooms.

  • sun iconDay 5
  • calendar icon Friday 21 May 2027
Pettifers (B)

Travel across the Cotswolds to Pettifers, the stylish and influential garden of Gina Price in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Morning tea in Gina’s cleverly planted garden will be memorable. Ribbons of bulbs and perennials flow through the borders, creating a glowing tapestry of colour.

Travel back to Oxford with a walking history tour this afternoon that will finish at your hotel.

  • sun iconDay 6
  • calendar icon Saturday 22 May 2027
Sudeley Castle (B/L)

Back into the rolling hills of the Cotswolds today to Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. The castle is surrounded by 1,200 acres of estate and ten award-winning gardens. The centrepiece is the Queens Garden, so named because four of England’s queens – Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I – once walked upon the original Tudor Parterre.

After lunch you will visit Waterperry Gardens is an exciting complex of Formal Garden, Waterlily Canal, herbaceous borders, long colour border, and rose garden. Once a horticultural college for women run by the redoubtable Beatrix Havergal. Wander through this exquisite series of spaces for lots of inspiration.

  • sun iconDay 7
  • calendar icon Sunday 23 May 2027
Oxford to Cornwall (B/L/D)

Travel through Somerset and into Devon to Hestercombe Garden. It’s a remarkable example of the collaboration between Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll.

Lutyens was probably the most famous British architect since Sir Christopher Wren. His hallmarks are everywhere: iris choked rills, semi-circular steps, pergolas and his sympathetic use of local materials.

Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) was a multi-talented artist, craftswoman, writer, photographer, nurserywoman and garden designer. Her collaboration with Lutyens here at Hestercombe, on his only garden commission, is arguably the greatest example of their work. As an artist first and foremost, Jekyll worked in many mediums before turning her hand to gardening when her eyesight began to deteriorate. She often selected vibrant colours and textures and her planting style reflected her understanding of colour theory, carefully blending colours and planting swathes of plants to soften and complement Lutyens’ architectural features.

After lunch in the historic stables and cart house, travel to Cornwall.

  • sun iconDay 8
  • calendar icon Monday 24 May 2027
Lost Gardens of Heligan (B/L/D)

Discover The Lost Gardens of Heligan, asleep for 70 years under a blanket of ivy, bramble and rampant laurel. It’s the largest garden restoration project in Europe. Heligan, the seat of the Tremayne family for more than 400 years, became neglected during the First World War.

The chance discovery of a door in the ruins led to the triumphant restoration by Sir Tim Smit (of the Eden Project). You’ll see enormous tree-like rhododendrons that were part of the original Victorian pleasure garden, grown from seed collected by Sir Joseph Hooker (one of the great plant hunters). The Lost Gardens have been put back where they belong, in pride of place among the finest gardens in Cornwall.

To Caerhays this afternoon, a castle by the sea! This treasure trove of plants gathered in 19th century expeditions through China includes camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas and viburnum. Picturesque in its sublime location on the Cornish Coast.

  • sun iconDay 9
  • calendar icon Tuesday 25 May 2027
Eden Project (B/D)

The revolutionary Eden Project is first this morning with an area under glass the size of 30 football fields, growing the plants of each climatic zone in each environmentally controlled space. These biomes are the massive backdrop for exciting contemporary gardens.

The great house at Lanhydrock stands in its magnificent estate above the River Fowey with a splendid suite of gardens: formal parterres of intense colour bedding, circular perennial garden, herbaceous borders, woodland plantings of magnolias, rhododendrons and carpets of bluebells. Take time to explore the winding woodland and you will see some impressive flowering trees.

  • sun iconDay 10
  • calendar icon Wednesday 26 May 2027
The Newt (B)

You’ll travel north today to Bath. Visit The Newt in Sommerset on the way and explore this magnificent estate with its exquisite perennial borders, formal parterres, the innovative Four Seasons Garden, abundant kitchen gardens and centuries-old orchards showcase world-class horticulture. Surrounded by ancient woodland, historic buildings and with its farm-to-plate philosophy, it is a true celebration of the English countryside.

Check-in to your hotel in the heart of Bath for two nights.

  • sun iconDay 11
  • calendar icon Thursday 27 May 2027
Bath (B/D)

First stop this morning is Claverton Manor, home to the American Museum & Gardens, located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and takes full advantage of the spectacular views over the Limpley Stoke Valley. Stroll through ancient meadows with majestic cedars and discover Mount Vernon Gardens with its quintessential white picket fence, box hedges, rose bushes and seed house.

Next stop is 18th century Prior Park, set in a lush green sweeping valley. The gardens have panoramic views of Bath and are home to one of only four Palladian Bridges of this design in the world.

Next stop is Royal Crescent, one of Bath’s most iconic landmarks, the Royal Crescent is one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Farewell Dinner at your hotel tonight.

  • sun iconDay 12
  • calendar icon Friday 28 May 2027
Bath to London - End of tour (B)

Morning visit to Iford Manor, built by Harold Peto above the River Frome. It’s a gem, highly structured and well planted.

Tour ends at Heathrow this afternoon.

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 Consultant 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 Tours standard terms and conditions

Book this tour
Tour Inclusions
Colin-Barlow-326x340
Tour Escorted by Colin Barlow
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  • ac-icon Air-conditioned motorcoach throughout tour
  • bed-icon Deluxe accommodation for 11 nights
  • lunch-icon Breakfast daily, 5 lunches & 6 dinners
  • man-icon UK Blue Badge Tour Manager
  • link-icon Combine with our Scenic Gardens of Ireland tour (31 May - 14 June 2027)

Entrance fees to all gardens & sightseeing including

  • Opening day at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, West Green, Hidcote Manor, Kiftsgate, Sudeley Castle, Pettifers, Waterperry, Hestercombe, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Caerhays, Eden Project, Lanhydrock, The Newt, American Museum & Garden and Iford Manor.
TOUR PRICE
  • Twin Share land only
    $10,028.97 USD per person
  • Single Supplement
    $2,074.59 USD
  • USD prices may vary slightly at booking.
  • Prices based on minimum 15 passengers.
Book this tour
DISCOUNTS
Early Bird
$300
Book & pay in full by
calendar icon 4/12/2026
  • Previous Traveller
    $100
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{2025 Tours Programme}

If you are on our mailing list, our printed programme for next year should arrive in your mailbox this week. We have a packed programme full of new exciting tours like Bhutan & Nepal, Spain & Morocco, Ireland and Sabah and old favourites like Japan Spring Festivals, Northern India and Melbourne Flower Show.

You can see all our 2025 tours on our website: www.rosstours.com/tours

Or if you wish to receive our printed programme, please enquire via the website or call us on 1300 233 200.

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{Chelsea Flower Show - Highlights}

Kazuyuki Ishihara wins Gold for this sublime garden of contemplation and connection with nature; ‘The Biophilic Garden’. A small house (hanare) for mindfulness and connection, healing and calming, accepting the past, living in the present a looking forward to the future. The associated garden with tranquil waterfall surrounds and permeates the space. Definitely deserved it’s gold medal.

If you would like to join us on our Chelsea Flower Show & England tour in 2024, register your interest today online www.rosstours.com/enquiries or call the office on 1300 233 200.

Images: Colin Barlow & Ric Glenn

 #chelseaflowershow #chelseaflowershow2023 #visitjapan #goldmedall #kazuyukiishihara #gardendesign #gardendesign #gardendesigns #rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #biophilicgarden #rt_englandchelsea
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