Day 1
Welcome to England
Arrive on individual flights into Manchester and make your way independently to your hotel. Gather with your host, Besty Burgeson, and fellow travelers for a visit to RHS Garden Bridgewater, the newest garden of the Royal Horticultural Society. Set across 154 acres along the historic Bridgewater Canal, this ambitious landscape reflects both heritage and innovation in British horticulture. Enjoy a guided introduction to the Weston Walled Garden, one of the largest Victorian walled gardens in the country, then explore the grounds at your own pace. This evening, celebrate the start of your journey during a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Included Meal: Dinner
Accommodations: The Midland Hotel
Day 2
Landscape and Legacy in the Peak District
Venture into the Peak District, where England’s rugged natural beauty meets centuries of thoughtful landscape design. Visit Chatsworth House, the grand seat of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, where the story of the Cavendish family unfolds across generations. View the elegant interiors, enjoy lunch on the sprawling grounds, and stroll through the celebrated gardens that feature contemporary sculptures and vibrant flower beds. Continue to the charming market town of Bakewell for an afternoon of independent exploration before returning to Manchester for the evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: The Midland Hotel
Day 3
A Garden for All Seasons
Cross the border into Wales this morning, where the landscape opens into the verdant Conwy Valley. Visit the renowned Bodnant Garden, a masterpiece of horticultural artistry and one of Britain’s most celebrated gardens. Highlights include Italianate terraces that give way to sweeping lawns and the iconic Laburnum Arch, each reflecting a distinct vision of cultivated beauty. In the afternoon, return to England and explore the historic city of Chester on a guided walking tour, followed by dinner at a local restaurant in Manchester.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: The Midland Hotel
Day 4
Into the Cotswolds
Depart Manchester and journey south into the Cotswolds, a region celebrated for its pastoral beauty and enduring traditions of craftsmanship. Pause for an independent lunch in the quintessentially English town of Chipping Campden, whose elegant High Street reflects its prosperity during the medieval wool trade. Continue to Kiftsgate Court Gardens, a lovingly maintained family garden known for its series of intimate “garden rooms,” each with its own character and planting scheme. Afterwards, enjoy a private, after-hours visit to nearby Hidcote Manor Garden, one of England’s most influential Arts and Crafts gardens. Stroll the structured hedges and pathways and learn about its lasting impact on garden design, including its connection to the famed Kiftsgate rose. Continue to your hotel and gather for dinner as a group.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: De Vere Cotswold Water Park
Day 5
From Village Charm to Royal Grandeur
Begin your day in Bibury, often described as one of the most beautiful villages in England. On a guided walk, follow quiet lanes to Arlington Row, a collection of 14th-century cottages that exemplify the region’s lasting architectural charm. Continue to Blenheim Palace, a monumental Baroque estate and birthplace of Winston Churchill. Tour the opulent state rooms, then explore the numerous gardens that range from naturalistic sweeping lawns to formal water terraces and elegant rose gardens. Later, enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the nearby town of Woodstock, savoring a classic English ritual. Travel onward to London and check in to your hotel. The evening is yours to explore London at your own pace.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea
Accommodations: Riu Plaza Westminster
Day 6
Botanical History in London
Visit London on a panoramic tour that introduces the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the London Eye. Then, enjoy a private guided tour of Chelsea Physic Garden, London’s oldest botanic garden. Founded in the 17th century, it remains a center for the study of medicinal and useful plants and offers a fascinating lens into the intersection of science and daily life. In the afternoon, step into the Tudor dynasty with a visit to Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII’s riverside residence. Explore the lavishly decorated State Rooms and stroll the many gardens, from the vibrant Rose Garden to the grand avenues of the Great Fountain Garden. Dinner and the rest of the evening are at your leisure.
Included Meal: Breakfast
Accommodations: Riu Plaza Westminster
Day 7
Kew Gardens and Global Plant Conservation
Spend today immersed in one of the world’s great botanical institutions: the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kew Gardens represents over 250 years of botanical exploration, conservation, and scientific research. Walk among an astonishing diversity of plant life, from curated floral displays to rare and endangered species. Step inside the soaring Victorian Palm House where tropical ecosystems thrive, explore the Princess of Wales Conservatory, home to ten distinct climate zones, and marvel at enormous floating leaves and delicate aquatic blooms in the Waterlily House. This evening, raise a toast to your travels during a festive farewell dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Riu Plaza Westminster
Day 8
Departure
Transfer individually to the airport and depart London on individual flights for your journey home.
Included Meal: Breakfast