England’s Stunning Somerset County Gardens

DAY 1: SUN, MAY 25 – Arrival in England

Tour members independently arrange travel to Heathrow Airport and transfer on their own to the Hilton London Heathrow Airport at Terminal 4, where a room is booked for them (included in the tour price).

We’ll gather for a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant at 6:30 p.m. (included in the tour price).

DAY 2: MON, MAY 26 – Travel to Bath and Caisson Gardens

We gather for breakfast at the hotel restaurant (included) before boarding our coach to Bath.  

We check into the Indigo Hotel Bath for 6 nights to get settled before boarding coaches for our first garden tour.  

Caisson Gardens offer a scenic blend of nature, history, and art. Here we will embark on a walk-and-talk tour, exploring the beautifully restored landscapes, including historic canals and locks, and a unique ecosystem crafted by Phil and Amanda Honey. Caisson Gardens combines elements of sustainable design, wildlife, and artistic expression, providing a serene environment in which to unwind. We’ll learn about the gardens’ rich 200-year history, and the owners will describe how they used regenerative practices to transform the grounds from overgrown and dilapidated to the beautiful landscape it is today. This will be peak season for many of the pollinator plants in the beds and borders.  

Lunch will be catered in the gardens (included).  

We will return to the hotel. Dinner will be on your own this evening, providing the opportunity to experience any one of the pubs or fine-dining establishments within walking distance.  

DAY 3: TUES, MAY 27 – Yeo Valley Organic Garden and a Hands-on Workshop

We gather for breakfast at the hotel (included) before boarding our coach to the Blagdon Lake region. 

Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee upon our arrival at Yeo Valley Organic Farm and Gardens, and then we’ll embark on an immersive experience in sustainable farming and organic gardening located in the beautiful Mendip Hills. You’ll be able to explore their organic garden practices while immersing yourself in the 6.5-acre gardens showcasing a variety of plants, wildflower meadows, and creative edible landscaping. This behind-the-scenes tour will provide insight into the organic processes in harmony with nature they embrace, offering a unique look at both innovation and tradition. 

Lunch and afternoon tea will be provided by Yeo Valley featuring many of the organic products and produce cultivated on-site (included). 

A hands-on workshop/lecture on the subject of biodiversity will be led by Nicola Hope, holder of the RHS Master of Horticulture and trustee of Garden Organic. 

We will return to the hotel. Dinner will be on your own this evening. 

DAY 4: WED, May 28 – The Private Garden of James Hitchmough, Visit to Wildside with Keith Wiley

We gather for breakfast at the hotel (included) before boarding our coaches heading south toward Devon. 

Tea and cake will be served (included) on arrival at the new private garden of Dr. James Hitchmough. This colorful landscape is a master class in how to mix and match perennials to create naturalistic gardens with visual impact and ecological value. James, former professor of horticulture ecology and landscape design at Sheffield University, will lead us through his diverse planting while offering a plethora of information, advice, and opinions, all presented with his infamous sense of humor. He is a universal favorite of the garden lecture circuit in the UK, so hearing James’s cutting-edge thoughts on perennial usage while in his own garden is a truly special opportunity. 

We’ll continue south and get lunch (included) at our next destination, Wildside. 

A guided tour of Wildside Gardens, created by Keith Wiley and his late wife and Ross, takes visitors through a truly inspirational landscape filled with rare plants and ecologically rich designs inspired by global natural landscapes. Known for its innovative use of scale and evocative scenes, the garden blends diverse elements like flower meadows, rockscapes, and tranquil water features. Keith will give a walk-and-talk through the gardens, revealing the creative process behind this stunning landscape. Located on the outskirts of the Dartmoor National Park, Wildside has been described as the most exciting and innovative garden in Britain. 

We’ll return to Bath in time for dinner at the hotel restaurant (included). 

DAY 5: THURS, May 29 – Garden of Alison Jenkins, the Derry Watkins Home Garden, Special Plants Nursery

We gather for breakfast at the hotel (included) before boarding our coaches heading to Northend, Somerset. 

Damson Farm is the home garden of horticulturist Alison Jenkins. A 2-acre regenerative smallholding and edible garden, this picturesque property is located on the southern edge of the Cotswold Hills in a valley that was once full of market gardens and orchards. Alison has spent years cultivating and creating an orchard, ponds, and a meadow as well as areas closer to the house where she has designed intricate, layered planting combinations. The edible garden, however, is almost as pretty as the ornamental beds. Alison will lead us through the landscape and explain how deep observation of the surrounding natural ecosystems led her to create gardens that function ecologically, provide food, and look beautiful too. The scenery of this magical spot (with resident sheep grazing on the nearby hills) makes this a garden photographer’s dream location. 

A catered lunch will be served in the garden (included). 

Our next stop will be a two-for-one deal. We’ll arrive at the home garden of nurserywoman Derry Watkins and get a personal tour through the various beds and borders that she and her husband, Peter Clegg, have spent nearly 20 years perfecting. Here you will find densely planted gardens filled with Mediterranean plants, two gravel gardens, a woodland garden, and a series of garden rooms that are defined by established hedging.  

After this, you’ll have a chance to explore Special Plants Nursery, run by Derry next door to her garden. This destination spot for gardeners from around the world features rare, unusual, and tender perennials as well as special plants of all sorts. Wander through the nursery, peek at the propagation operations, or take photos of plants that you might not be familiar with. 

We’ll return for dinner at the hotel restaurant (included).  

DAY 6: FRI, MAY 30 – Hauser & Wirth Designed by Piet Oudolf and Visit to Common Farm Flowers

We gather for breakfast at the hotel (included) before boarding our coaches heading to Somerset. 

A visit to Hauser & Wirth Somerset offers an immersive art experience featuring rotating exhibitions in a rural setting. Enjoy a welcome coffee/tea before moving on to explore contemporary galleries and a vibrant outdoor sculpture garden. Renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf from the Netherlands has designed the planting scheme for the entire Hauser & Wirth property, including the Oudolf Field—a large perennial garden situated behind the gallery buildings. Sinuous beds are densely planted with a wide variety of species that look amazing year-round. The space is designed to integrate art, nature, and community, making it an inspiring cultural destination. 

We’ll be having lunch on-site at the Roth Bar & Grill, which serves locally sourced food (included). 

After boarding the coaches and heading out a bit farther afield, we’ll stop at Common Farm Flowers, an enchanting location filled with sustainably grown flowers in every imaginable hue. Founder and highly respected flower farmer and florist Georgie Newbery will provide tea and talk about the eco-friendly practices that inform the day-to-day at the farm and lead a demo on creating a hand-tied bouquet.  

We’ll return for dinner at the hotel restaurant (included).  

DAY 7: SAT, MAY 31 – Free Time in Bath, and Annie Guilfoyle Lecture

Wake up and have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel (included). 

Today you’ll have free time in the ancient city of Bath, founded by the Romans in the first century. Our hotel is in the City Centre, within an easy walking distance of many historic sights, restaurants, and shopping. No need for taxis or rideshare services! Although you can’t bathe in its original thermal pools anymore, you can still tour the incredible Roman Baths. If that isn’t your cup of tea, then you’ll find a plethora of other things to do in this UNESCO World Heritage City, including a boat tour if you prefer water over land.  

Lunch will be available at the hotel restaurant (included) if you’d like a midday respite. 

Return to the hotel by 6:30 p.m. for a group dinner (included) and to hear a lecture given by our tour guide, Annie Guilfoyle. Annie will present “Highlights & Design Ideas from the Chelsea Flower Show.” She will provide an exclusive look at the best gardens, designs, and ideas garnered from this iconic event. As an RHS judge for the past several years, Annie has had unfettered access and will share her insights. You’ll end the evening feeling like you’ve been given an all-access pass to the world’s most famous garden show. 

Day 8: SUN, JUNE 1 – Departure from Bath and Transport to Heathrow

An early morning breakfast will be available at the hotel (included) prior to boarding the coach transporting us to London Heathrow Airport.

Tour members can choose to return with the group for U.S. outbound flights or continue the adventure in England on their own!