Upon arrival in Belfast, join our coach and transfer to the private garden of Holly House. Here we see a garden comprised of woodlands, herbaceous borders and an iris garden, plus an alpine bed, wildlife ponds and a newly planted shrub and woodland garden. We also find areas of contrast between traditional garden styling and a more modern and contemporary approach.

We continue to Antrim Castle Gardens, bursting with botanical beauty and heritage – there is nothing like these 400-year-old gardens anywhere else in Northern Ireland. Highlights include the magnificent 17th-century Anglo Dutch-style canals, ponds and avenues, a 12th-century motte, Victorian Pleasure Garden, large Parterre Gardens and the Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden.

Following this, we head to Northern Ireland’s answer to New York’s ‘The High Line’ – Randalstown Viaduct Community Garden. This former railway viaduct, which spans the River Maines, has been transformed by leading garden designer Johnny Knox into a relaxing space which brings year-round floral interest, bee corridors, seeds and berries for birds and also shelter for hibernating species.