The RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Gardens of London

After breakfast this morning we depart for our full-day visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which holds a rare position as a great British tradition and an exciting source of inspiration and advice. One of the highlights of the show is the collection of over 20 full-sized show gardens. Inside the Great Marquee visitors have their senses ravished by the hundreds of floral displays, many of them incorporating new, rare and unusual plants. Other popular features here include flower arranging, floristry and garden design marquees, courtyard gardens, window boxes and hanging baskets.

Dinner is served back at our hotel in the evening.

We begin this morning with a visit to Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, which is now a World Heritage Site and boasts a unique collection of plants from all over the world. Among the attractions are the iconic Palm House, which recreates a tropical rainforest environment, the Temperate House, home to the world’s tallest indoor plant, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory, which contains ten climatic zones and a huge variety of plants including orchids and cacti.

After lunch (not included) we make our way to Ham House and Garden in Richmond. One of a series of grand houses and palaces alongside the River Thames, Ham House is an unusually complete survival of the 17th century, where time appears to have stood still. Rich in history and atmosphere, Ham House was largely created by the charismatic Duchess of Lauderdale, who was deeply embroiled in the politics of the English Civil War and subsequent restoration of the monarchy. As a sumptuous statement of wealth and power, Ham was built to impress in its day and continues to do so today. With lavish interiors, unique historical features and unusual 17th-century gardens, Ham is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. The gardens are a rare example of 17th-century design and have recently been restored.  We return to our hotel where dinner is served in the evening.

After breakfast we visit Chiswick House and Gardens. The 18^th century house was designed by the third Earl of Burlington who drew inspiration from his ‘grand tours’ of Italy, which inspired him to create this in a neo-Palladian style. The 65 acres of Grade I-listed gardens were created mainly by architect and landscape designer William Kent and much like the house, the gardens were inspired by the architecture and gardens of ancient Rome. The gardens have been loved for centuries with their combination of grand vista, architectural delights and water features. Highlights included the spectacular Italianate gardens filled with temples, status and obelisks hidden amount the tress, the stunning conservatory, a Victorian garden, a flower garden and a lake which takes you to the rushing cascade.

We later continue to Chelsea Physic Garden which was founded in 1673, as the Apothecaries' Garden, with the purpose of training apprentices in identifying plants and the production of medicinal plants. By the 1700s it had initiated an international botanic garden seed exchange system, which continues to this day. It is London’s oldest botanic garden and contains around 5,000 different medicinal plants which have changed the world.

Before we return to our original departure point it is hoped we will have an opportunity to end the tour on a high as we visit the Sky Gardens, a unique roof top garden which offers panoramic views over London from their observation deck. We continue to our original departure point.