A leisurely late breakfast before a  lazy Sunday in the beautiful Hampshire countryside on a traditional canal long boat cruise. This is the countryside Jane Austen wrote about, & little has changed. After lunch on the long boat, owe journey on an old fashioned steam train with wildflowers and bluebells beside the line. Our coach then takes us to a garden filled with whimsical topiary considered to be one of Britain’s best gardens of the 20th Century.

This morning we drive through the rolling green South Downs, past green fields edged with flowering hedgerows  to visit Leonardslee Garden where we are lucky enough to catch one of the world’s gardening marvels in full bloom. There is a collection of vintage cars & enjoy a miniature Victorian town painstakingly developed over many years. Kent is one of England’s most fertile & mellow regions with some of the greatest gardens. Our Hotel is well situated to reach the heart of the historic Royal Tunbridge Wells.

We have a private viewing of Pashley Manor so we can enjoy it without the crowds. Over 12 acres of glorious gardens surrounding a 1550’s timbered house. We make a stop in Tenterden with its traditional white clapboard houses. Free time to stroll High St. and indulge in a pub lunch before we visit the most famous garden of them all; Sissinghurst Castle, that has inspired so many from all over the world. The famous “White Garden” and Harold’s nut walk should be at their peak.

We have a special out of hours entry to Great Dixter, the home and garden of the great English gardener, writer and plant lover Christopher Lloyd. Then off to the ancient Cinque Port of Rye where we have booked a splendid celebration lunch at the famous Mermaid Inn. On to little Burwash village sitting high atop the Weald of Kent, where beautiful views are framed by old cottages draped in climbers and colourful window boxes . A perfect picture to conclude our stay in Kent.

We visit the secret gardens at Groombridge Place, which lay hidden behind thick hedges for nearly 400 years. Our coach then arrives at Gatwick Airport. For those continuing on to Chelsea Flower Show, we thought it might be a good idea this afternoon to relax, read a book, or catch up with the diary.

The Chelsea Flower Show is simply the best in the world with display gardens, superb plant displays in the marquee, the gold medal winners, the new release plants & more beautiful things to interest gardeners than you can possibly imagine. We just walk from our Hotel down into the station and hop on the train. We have pre-booked tickets so we just sail straight in and begin enjoying ourselves. You can stay as long or as short at the show as you like, and make your way home by the same easy route