Gardens of Grandeur: Cotswolds, Wales & Chelsea

Accommodations: The Lygon Arms Hotel (Dinner)

The gardens are a series of outdoor “rooms,” with various characters and themes, achieved by the use of box hedges, hornbeam and yew, and stone walls. Here you will find old roses, unusual plants and trees from around the world. Afterwards we are guests of the owner for lunch at neighboring Kiftsgate Court Gardens, a series of interconnecting gardens each with a distinct character. Work on the gardens was begun in 1920 by Heather Muir, who was greatly helped and inspired by her lifelong friend Major Lawrence Johnston, the creator of Hidcote. The gardens continued to be developed by Mrs. Muir’s daughter and then her granddaughter who is the current owner of the home. Stroll the upper gardens surrounding the house, which are planted to produce harmonious colour schemes. The sheltered lower gardens provide a home for plants from warmer climes and recreate the atmosphere of the Mediterranean. Return to Broadway later in the afternoon and dine tonight at leisure

Accommodations: The Lygon Arms Hotel (Breakfast and Lunch)

The gardens include canals and Irish yews evocative of Moghul paradise gardens, a curving conservatory, home to many tender climbing plants, and a pavilion also in Indian style. A stream is crossed by an Indian bridge adorned with Brahmin and ornaments include a temple to Surya the sun god, and a snake coiled around a column in the Snake Pond.

Afterwards drive to Stow-on-the-Wold for lunch at leisure. Stow is a delightful market town and its very large market square recalls it’s important in Medieval times (at its annual fairs 20,000 sheep were sold here). Proceed to visit Snowshill Manor, home to the eclectic collection (including clocks samurai armor and musical instruments) of its former owner, Sir Charles Wade. It also has a very picturesque garden. Before heading back to Broadway enjoy refreshments in at the 15th – century Snowshill Arms. Dinner tonight is at leisure.

Accommodations: The Lygon Arms Hotel (Breakfast)

There is a magnificent garden originally laid out in the 1680s based on designs by William Wynde, inspired by those of the palace at St Germain-en-Laye near Paris. The famous hanging Italianate terraces which rise to 450 feet to the castle represent the greatest surviving example of the Baroque garden in Britain. The garden retains its original lead statues, an orangery and aviary. A statue of Hercules by the famous 18th century garden sculptor John van Nost stands against a spectacular backdrop of ancient clipped Powis yew.

Later continue north to Betws-y-Coed, gateway to Snowdonia, and surrounded by the Gwydyr Forest. Dinner is at the hotel at leisure.

Accommodations: The Royal Oak (Breakfast and Lunch)

Afterwards continue to Portmeirion acquired in 1925 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis as the site for his ideal village – the grounds cover 70 acres in which there are nearly 20 miles of pathways through the sub-tropical forest with some of the country’s largest trees. There is also a Japanese Garden with its pagoda and lake. Many of the unusual species date from the 19th century: monkey puzzle trees, pines, magnolias, camellias and giant redwoods. Portmeirion is, of course, well-known as the setting for the cult 1960s television show, The Prisoner.

This afternoon, from harbour at Porthmadog, take a ride on the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway on a 13½-mile journey to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The historic trains climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round tight bends (even a complete spiral) clinging to the side of the mountain or through it. Return to the hotel and dine tonight at leisure.

Accommodations: The Royal Oak (Breakfast)

The town is known for the Cheltenham Festival (horse-racing) which takes place every year, the exclusive Cheltenham Ladies’ College and its wealth of attractive Regency buildings. We check in to our hotel on the Promenade and overlooking Imperial Gardens. Enjoy a pre-dinner stroll in the nearby Montpelier district where will dine tonight.

Accommodations: The Queen’s Hotel (Breakfast and Lunch)

After lunch independently continue a few miles south to Highgrove, the private home of HRH King Charles III and Queen Camilla. These gardens have been created by King Charles over 30 years and are widely regarded as some of the most innovative in the UK. A wild flower meadow now boasts over 30 different varieties of native plants including ox-eye daisies, yellow rattle, common spotted orchid, meadow crane’s bill and ragged robin, creating a rich tapestry of colour and diversity. The gardens are also home to part of the national collection of Beech trees and large leaved Hostas; there is also a formal garden and a walled kitchen garden.

(Please note: Visits to Highgrove are limited and dependent on the King’s diary. Dates are released in early spring. Therefore, it is not possible to guarantee a visit before this time).

Dinner at leisure.

Accommodations: The Queen’s Hotel (Breakfast)

All the reception rooms and principal bedrooms had views of the Parterre, the highlight of the formal garden. This was restored in 1994 to designs by Beth Rothschild. The magnificent display of tiers of different coloured plants is planted with a new design twice a year, using around 110,000 plants.

After lunch continue to London and check in to your hotel located within easy walking distance of the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Dinner at leisure.

Accommodations: Great Scotland Yard Hotel (Breakfast)