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- AGardener's Treat May 2007 - See what a recent guest said about us - See what ladies of the Houston Garden Club of Texas got up to
Luxury accommodation in one of London’s finest garden hotels... A privately escorted tour of one of London’s most private gardens in a medieval Palace... A visit to the unique Chelsea Physic Garden with a private lunch and afternoon with gardening guru, Penelope Hobhouse... Exclusive tickets to Members’ Day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show... A privately escorted ‘bird’s eye view tour’ of the Show with Gold Medallist Tim Penrose and refreshments... A half day private Masterclass at Royal Florist Pulbrook & Gould to illustrate how to use garden flowers for social occasions at home... An exclusive private view of one of London’s best kept secrets – a roof terrace in Chelsea, followed by a farewell lunch and cruise on a historic Motor Launch on the River Thames... (Assistance with flights and travel insurance arrangements if needed)
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DAY ONE Arrival at the airport of your choice and depart by private coach to a magnificent private Manor House in Royal County of Berkshire. We will be welcomed by our hosts and the founder of The English Manner, Alexandra Messervy, guests will be entertained to a light luncheon before we depart for an afternoon visit to a private garden and afternoon tea. Our Manor House is one of the finest examples of a Queen Anne house and is surrounded by spectacular views over seven counties. There is an all weather tennis court, croquet lawn and billiard room and our hosts are most welcoming and attentive, and very great fun. Katherine is particularly knowledgeable about gardens, being self taught but highly interesting, and she will impart not only her own know-how but also takes delight in introducing our guests to friends with gardens which are never or rarely open to the general public. Guests will enjoy a hosted dinner and overnight accommodation here for two nights.
DAY TWO We will today visit one of our favourite gardens, Abbey House and Gardens, where entrepreneurs Barbara and Ian Pollard, adjacent to the world famous Malmesbury Abbey, have restored and developed some of the most spectacular gardens we have seen. With over 2,000 roses planted for the Millennium and 100,000 tulips erupting from April to May, the gardens are a haven for unusual and exotic plants, herbs and water features, including a sharp ravine and waterfall as well as a display of amazing sculptures. This five acre paradise dates from 1542, and Abbey House was built by an enterprising clothier, William Stump, who after the dissolution of the monasteries, purchased the Abbey from King Henry VIII for the use of the townspeople. Abbey House is dominated by the remaining third of a Benedictine Abbey founded by Mailduf, a Celtic monk from Iona, and today this functions as the delightful parish church. We will enjoy a private guided tour of the Gardens and the magnificent Abbey House with the owners.
DAY THREE Departing our Manor House accommodation, we will drive to Hampton Court Palace, just outside London. Hampton Court Palace was the home of King Henry VIII and is situated on the banks of the River Thames. The magnificent gardens have recently been restored by our friend and lecturer, Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, and he will personally host our guests around the Privy and Pond Gardens and the Great Fountain, explaining his restoration project. He will give an animated history of this wonderful Royal Park, and has just written a book, ‘The Gardens and Parks at Hampton Court Palace’, which will be available to purchase and be personally signed by the author during our stay. After our special tour, we will continue our journey to the capital City, London, and our delightful accommodation at the Goring Hotel. A family owned and run five star hotel, the Goring is located adjacent to Buckingham Palace, and is our favourite hotel for our guests. A good room service menu is available for supper, or guests may wish to dine in the well loved dining room which serves traditional British fare. There is a most welcoming lounge and bar, with a lovely log fire throughout the year, and garden views. The bar also serves substantial snacks and meals throughout the day. Prior reservations for the dining room are once again recommended. Other good restaurants abound close by, details on request.
DAY FOUR This morning we will depart after breakfast (not included) for a very special private tour, when we will be able to view the gardens of a unique Palace in the centre of London. The Head Gardener will talk on the gardens and the restoration programme of the parkland style gardens with mature trees, woodland and native planting, pond and hornbeam allee. There is a formal rose terrace, summer gravel border and herb garden. The garden is one of the oldest and largest private gardens in London and is opened only occasionally for very special guests. We will then visit the church of St Mary and the Museum of Garden History for a brief tour of The Tradescant Garden. This is a replica 17th Century Knot Garden, designed by The Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury. The garden commemorates the Tradescant Gardeners who were gardeners to the Cecil (Salisbury) family at Hatfield House. Guests will then depart for a private tour of the RHS Lindley Library and Photographic Library before we visit the Chelsea Physic Garden, where we will be met by renowned internationally acclaimed designer and garden historian, Penelope Hobhouse. Penelope will give a personally guided tour of the gardens and a talk on design, and guests will relax with her informal chat and outstanding knowledge of plants and gardens. This is truly a jewel in the crown of the programme we offer to guests, and Penelope is one of our favourite tutors. We will then depart for Malplaquet House, in the City of London, home of celebrated garden designer and Royal garden historian, Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, and his partner Tim, head of the Sir John Soane Museum. Together these two young men have created a magnificent private garden at their historic Georgian home, which is full of unusual sculptures and tree ferns and has been featured in several publications, including World of Interiors. Champagne will be served at 6 p.m. and guest will be free to wander at leisure until departure at approximately 7.30 p.m. for private dinner arrangements. Transport will be provided back to the hotel. Dinner reservations can be made.
DAY FIVE We will depart early for a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where guests will be able to take advantage of special entrance for Members’ Day. Guests will be met by Sonja Waites, Managing Director of the Lady Pulbrook Flower School of Royal florists Pulbrook and Gould. Meeting at the stand of 2004 Gold Medallists Bowden Hostas, its by entrepreneur owner Tim Penrose will introduce us to some of the exhibits and guide us to some of the ‘must see’ items. Due to the vast crowds and the amount to see, we leave our guests free to tour the Show at leisure, spending the day looking at the display gardens, flower tents and show highlights. Suggested venues for lunch and refreshment are given in the Show Programme which is purchased in advance for guests.
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