Spring Gardens of the North West

1 departure

23 March 2023

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4 days

From £545 ~~£595~~

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Summary

Join us in the north west of England as the winter frosts thaw and gardens burst to life with kaleidoscopes of colour on this tour of some of the north west’s best spring gardens. We visit Tatton Park, whose gardens have developed over 200 years yet retain much of their Edwardian character, and RHS Bridgewater, a once-in-a-generation project where the Royal Horticultural Society has taken inspiration from the heritage of the site and transformed it into a world-class garden based on an overall design by leading landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith.

The Lovell Quinta Arboretum, spread over 28 acres and home to 2,500 different species of plants which include snowdrops, crocus and daffodils that burst into bloom in the spring is also on our agenda. Dunham Massey is home to one of Britain’s finest winter gardens. Our visit here allows us to witness the transformation into a delightful spring garden that’s filled with scintillating scents and splashes of colour, a real treat for the senses. Finally, we also visit some of the region’s best private gardens that have year-round interest.

Tour highlights:

Visits to Rode Hall Gardens, Dunham Massey and The Lovell Quinta Arboretum
RHS Bridgewater with Private Garden Guided Tour
A selection of the region’s best private gardens

Departure Routes

Location	Depart	Return
London Coach Bays on Tothill Street, Westminster	07.30	21.30
Luton Outside Luton Parkway Railway Station	09.15	20.00
Northampton Outside the Railway Station	10.15	19.00
Birmingham Bus stop outside New Street Station	12.15	17.30

Please note that all timings are approximate and subject to change. Final timings and pick-up points will be confirmed with your joining instructions approximately 10 days prior to departure.

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~~£595~~

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£545 (including offers)

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Deposit: £125

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Your itinerary

Day 1 -

We depart from our designated pick-up points (London, Luton, Northampton, Birmingham) and travel to our hotel. En route, we stop at Tatton Park estate features a large 50-acre garden within a larger estate, with many interesting features and plants. These include a walled kitchen garden, a Japanese garden and a conservatory which was designed by Joseph Paxton, designer of the Crystal Palace.

Hotel	Novotel Manchester West
Meals included	Dinner

Day 2 -

This morning we explore RHS Garden Bridgewater at Worsley, to the west of Manchester. This once-in-a-generation project saw the Royal Horticultural Society take inspiration from the heritage of the site and transform it into a world-class garden, while also delivering a programme of community outreach and education activities, volunteering, and training. Based on an overall design by leading landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, highlights include one of the largest walled gardens in the UK, beautifully landscaped grounds, living plant collections and horticultural trials.

This afternoon we visit the nearby private garden, Weeping Ash, a delightful garden created by retired nurseryman John Bent. The garden has year-round interest with a fantastic display of snowdrops, and later splashes of colour lend elegance to this garden, which is much larger than it seems, with hidden paths and wooded areas.

Hotel	Novotel Manchester West
Meals included	Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 -

Today we discover the Lovell Quinta Arboretum, created by Sir Bernard Lovell in the mid-1950s. The arboretum is spread over 28 acres and is home to a colourful range of around 2,500 plants from around the world. Specimens include snowdrops, crocus and daffodils which burst into bloom in the spring as well as leafy shrubs and trees.

Next, we visit the gardens at Dunham Massey. Previously a garden of straight lines and regimented planting favoured by the 2nd Earl of Stamford and Warrington, the garden became the family’s pleasure ground under the 5th Earl when sweeping lawns and meandering paths were introduced. Shunned by Cheshire society, 7th Earl George Harry and his wife, former circus performer Catharine Cox, abandoned Dunham in 1856 and the garden was left unchanged for the rest of the 19th century. After being pressed into service to help the war effort in both world wars, Dunham Massey was taken over by the National Trust in 1976 and work began to transform the garden back to its former glory. It was decided that the garden would have an Edwardian pleasure ground feel with the freedom to choose from a range of planting options, with native favourites alongside exotic treasures.

Hotel	Novotel Manchester West
Meals included	Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 -

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to another private garden, Thorncar, a plantswoman’s suburban garden which provides year-round interest. The year begins with the appearance of snowdrops, aconites and dwarf daffodils which then give way to perfoliate alexanders and a red rhododendron later in the spring.

This afternoon we explore a private garden in Stafford, in St John Road. We pass by the Victorian house into a partially walled garden with its spring brings bulbs, and masses of herbaceous plants and climbers.

We return to our original pick-up points.