Escorted Tours
Hidden Gardens & Grand Estates of Northern Ireland
Benefiting from a climate that allows an extraordinary range of plants to flourish, Northern Ireland is home to some of the most celebrated gardens in the British Isles. Join us to explore world-famous National Trust gardens and historic estates to outstanding private gardens whose owners have created spaces of exceptional beauty, creativity and horticultural interest.
The tour also includes time to explore Belfast’s botanical and cultural attractions, with visits to Belfast Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum and opportunities to enjoy the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
Accompanied throughout by horticultural expert Trevor Edwards, whose knowledge and enthusiasm bring each visit to life, this tour offers a rewarding combination of horticultural excellence, fascinating history and warm Northern Irish hospitality. Whether you are a keen gardener or simply enjoy beautiful landscapes and historic places, this carefully curated itinerary promises a wealth of inspiration and discovery.
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
Trevor Edwards
Trevor is a lifelong horticulturist whose career has ranged from retail horticulture to garden design, project management and restoration. In recent years, he has become closely involved in garden tourism, managing tours in Ireland, the UK and destinations across Europe and much further afield.
A regular tour manager and lecturer on the gardens of Ireland, Trevor has also appeared on garden-themed television and radio programmes. His practical experience, broad knowledge and warm guiding style make him an ideal companion for exploring gardens both grand and intimate.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.
Day 1: Arrival in Belfast
Fly from the UK to Belfast and transfer to the hotel. After time to settle in, meet your fellow travellers at a welcome drinks reception. This evening, horticultural expert Trevor Edwards introduces the gardens of Northern Ireland, then dinner with wine is served in the hotel restaurant.
Day 2: Mount Stewart, Secret Greba Garden & Ballywalter Park
Following breakfast, visit Mount Stewart, one of the National Trust’s most celebrated gardens. Created by Edith, Lady Londonderry, the gardens are renowned for their plant collections and distinctive design, which combines formal structure with plants from across the globe. Thanks to the mild climate of Strangford Lough, an extraordinary range of species flourishes here, creating a garden of exceptional variety and interest throughout the year.
Continue to the Secret Greba Garden before enjoying a special visit to Ballywalter Park, home of Lord and Lady Dunleath, where we will view the impressive Victorian estate.
Day 3: Fernhill Cottage Gardens & Rowallane Garden
This morning, visit Fernhill Cottage Gardens, an extensively planted garden that has been carefully developed over many years to create a sequence of colourful and atmospheric spaces. Informal planting, mature trees, water features and imaginative garden design make this a particularly rewarding visit.
We then continue to Rowallane Garden which is especially admired for its rich collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, rare shrubs and seasonal displays, providing interest throughout the year.
The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Day 4: Hillsborough Castle & Old Barrack House Garden
Today begins at Hillsborough Castle, the official royal residence in Northern Ireland. During a guided tour of the house, discover the history of the building and its role in key events in modern British and Irish history. The surrounding gardens cover more than 100 acres and include formal lawns, woodland, waterways and carefully restored ornamental gardens.
Later, visit Old Barrack House Garden, an award-winning garden situated in the heart of Hillsborough. Created by its owners over many years, this extensively planted garden combines romantic borders, productive areas and beautifully managed ornamental planting.
Day 5: Belfast Gardens and City Exploration
This morning, enjoy a visit to Adrian Walsh’s Belfast Garden. Developed with exceptional attention to detail, it demonstrates how imaginative planting and clever design can transform an urban space into a thriving and productive garden.
We then visit Belfast Botanic Gardens, established in the nineteenth century and home to a wide variety of plants, glasshouses and mature landscapes. Within the grounds stands the impressive Palm House, one of the earliest curvilinear cast-iron glasshouses in the British Isles. We also visit the adjacent Ulster Museum, whose collections span art, archaeology, natural history and local history.
The remainder of the afternoon is free in Belfast. There is the opportunity to explore the city independently or, for those who wish, visit the Titanic Belfast museum.
Day 6: Ballyedmond Castle, Crooked Lane Garden & The McKelvey Garden
Today takes us to some of County Down’s most impressive private gardens. Our first visit is to Ballyedmond Castle, a distinguished private estate with beautifully maintained grounds.
After lunch, visit Crooked Lane Garden, where imaginative planting and carefully designed garden rooms create a landscape that combines structure, colour and seasonal interest. The garden reflects the personal vision and creativity of its owners and has developed into a highly regarded private garden.
We then continue to The McKelvey Garden at Bessbrook, a garden admired for its extensive planting, strong design and impressive range of ornamental trees and shrubs. The garden combines formal and informal elements to create a series of attractive and varied spaces.
This evening, gather for a farewell dinner with wine.
Day 7: Clandeboye Estate Gardens and departure
Our final day begins with a visit to the Clandeboye Estate Gardens. The gardens and woodland setting reflect centuries of careful management and contain notable trees, ornamental planting and far-reaching views across the surrounding landscape.
Following the visit, transfer to the airport for your return journey to London.
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
AC Hotel, Belfast
Located on Belfast’s waterfront, the stylish four-star AC Hotel Belfast enjoys a prime riverside setting in the heart of the city. Contemporary, well-appointed en-suite bedrooms offer modern comforts, while hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar, terrace, fitness room and lift. Many of Belfast’s principal attractions, including the Cathedral Quarter and Titanic Quarter, are within easy walking distance.
Hotel Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating due to the amount of time spent walking and standing at attractions. As it is a garden tour, footpaths may be grassed, gravel or paved, and may be muddy.
A good level of fitness and mobility will help you enjoy the full experience of the itinerary. Please read the day-by-day itinerary carefully, as we highlight specific practical details wherever possible. This may include notes about ground conditions, stairs, walking distances, coach access or sites where lifts are not available.
If you have any questions about whether this tour is suitable for you, please contact our team before booking. We are always happy to talk through the itinerary and help you make the right choice.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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