Explore historic and contemporary gardens in Southwest England, including an optional visit to Tresco Abbey Garden. The Gulf Stream along the SW coastline creates a milder climate than other parts of England, so gardens have a wide variety of plants, including exotic and tropical. We will visit public and private gardens, including the fascinating Lost Gardens of Heligan, which were unearthed, reclaimed, and restored in 1990. Other gardens on the itinerary will take us through the modern, naturalistic styles of Hauser and Wirth, The Garden House and Keith Wiley’s Wildside, plus a visit to the private garden of James Hitchmough and so much more. The trip wraps up as we journey east with visits to Knepp Castle and its Tom Stuart-Smith garden wilding project, plus two of England’s most beloved and iconic gardens: Sissinghurst and Great Dixter.

There are numerous educational experiences throughout the tour - at many of the gardens, we will have a tour, lecture or hands-on experience during our visit, either with the head gardener or a local expert. In the months prior to the tour, we will provide reading materials for self-study.

You will be accompanied by horticulture expert and NHS Board Member Sue Goetz.  The itinerary was designed by Lois Moss of Tour 2 Explore who has orchestrated scores of horticulture-themed tours and will be on the tour as manager and guide.

This tour is designed to optimize your time in the gardens. We stay multiple nights in the same hotels so that you don't spend time packing and unpacking. All of the hotels were vetted by our tour operator in 2025. The gardens have been carefully selected to ensure they are the best of the best.  

During this 11-night tour, we will enjoy a curated array of breathtaking gardens with time to enjoy what we are seeing. We begin with 1 night at Hilton Heathrow Airport. We then head west, with 4 nights in the ancient city of Exeter with Roman walls still standing. We continue further west and have 3 nights in Truro, filled with charming shops and restaurants. Our final 3 nights are in the city of Guildford. For anyone who has an early flight home you will have the option of staying 2 nights in Guildford and 1 night at Hilton Heathrow Airport.

You will delight in the company of fellow garden enthusiasts plus there are opportunities to explore independently. We have created a tour with less time on a coach so that you have more time for fun, experiences and exploration.

This is a benefit to members of Northwest Horticultural Society. If you or your roommate is not already a member, see the other programs and become a member by clicking here

If you have any questions, contact Lois at Tour2ExploreMore@gmail.com She has visited each of the hotels and most of the gardens. She is happy to answer your questions or give you additional information.

For an online map of the tour, click here

For a video describing the tour, click here

Pricing shown is if the group size is 24-26. If fewer than 24 people register by March 1, 2026, there will be an additional charge, depending on the final size of the group

Minimum needed for the tour to move forward is 18. Maximum number will be 26

Travel insurance is highly recommended. Unexpected events can disrupt your travel plans, either before you leave or during your trip. Consider purchasing travel insurance soon after making your first tour deposit. You can select the coverage best suited to your circumstances by comparing the options on websites such as Squaremouth.com or InsureMyTrip.com. If you travel more than twice a year, you may want to consider an annual policy instead of a per trip policy.

Physical requirements: Participants must be able to stand for extended periods of time during garden tours. Walking surfaces can sometimes include cobblestones or unpaved paths, uneven terrain or stairs without handrails. Elevators may not always be available. We hope to have porters, but you must be able to handle your own luggage incase porters are unavailable.

Liability waiver: A signed liability waiver will be required from each tour participant within 90 days of departure.

Gardens visited are subject to change if scheduling issues arise. Hotels are confirmed and under contract, so they are not expected to change.