Late spring in the English countryside feels lifted from the pages of a beloved novel. Roses spill over old garden walls, ancient trees cast dappled shadows across sweeping lawns, and country lanes wind beneath blossoming hedgerows. Across Kent—long known as the Garden of England—historic houses, hidden villages, orchards, and extraordinary gardens come alive in the soft beauty of the season. There is a sense of timelessness here: handwritten letters, afternoon tea, flower-filled rooms, silver candlesticks, and long evenings when the light seems reluctant to fade.

At the heart of this landscape lies Goodnestone Park, our retreat home—a magnificent Palladian manor surrounded by centuries-old gardens and parkland in the heart of the Kent countryside. The estate holds a particularly romantic place in English literary history: Jane Austen was a frequent visitor to Goodnestone, where her brother Edward’s family lived, and the house and surrounding countryside are believed to have formed part of the world that inspired her writing. For one unforgettable week, we will have the privilege of calling this storied country house our own.

Days at Goodnestone will unfold at an unhurried rhythm. Mornings may begin with quiet reflection, journaling, or a walk through the gardens before gathering for a leisurely breakfast. From there, we’ll venture into the countryside to discover some of England’s most beautiful gardens, historic estates, villages, and landscapes—wandering through flower-filled borders, exploring rooms layered with centuries of history, lingering over beautiful lunches, and experiencing the grace of English country life at its most enchanting. With private transportation throughout our scheduled itinerary, each day is designed to feel effortless, spacious, and deeply considered.

There will also be time simply to enjoy Goodnestone itself. Wander through its celebrated gardens when the gates have closed to the public, find a quiet corner beneath an ancient tree, gather flowers and inspiration, or settle into one of the manor’s elegant rooms with a book or cup of tea. These unscheduled moments—the freedom to slow down and simply inhabit a beautiful place—are as much a part of Belle Vie as the destinations we visit.

Evenings bring us home to the manor, where beautifully set tables, seasonal flowers, candlelight, and thoughtfully prepared dinners create a sense of occasion without formality. On warm evenings, we may dine surrounded by the gardens; on others, we’ll gather within the historic house as twilight settles over the parkland beyond. Select wines, lingering conversation, and the intimacy of sharing a remarkable place with a small group of women transform each evening into its own memory.

The Belle Vie English Gardens Retreat is an invitation to step away from the pace of everyday life and enter, for a little while, another world—one of beauty, creativity, history, flowers, and the enduring romance of the English countryside. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated so that you may simply arrive, settle in, and allow the experience to unfold.

Join us at Goodnestone Park, May 22–28, 2027, for a week inspired by the timeless beauty of Jane Austen’s England.