Highgrove
Bourton House Garden
White Garden, Bourton House
Highgrove Walled Garden
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Bourton House Garden, East border
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Hidcote Manor Garden
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Hidcote Manor Garden
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Hidcote Manor Garden
Hidcote Manor Garden
Kiftsgate
Kiftsgate
Rodmarton
2-course lunch and tour of the gardens at King Charles’ Highgrove House
Hidcote Manor Gardens – an Arts & Crafts masterpiece
Stunning herbaceous borders at Bourton House Gardens
Kiftsgate Court Gardens, famed for roses
It is no surprise that one of England’s loveliest regions, the Cotswolds, boasts some of its loveliest gardens, some of which are explored on this scenic tour, in the company of accomplished horticulturalist, Tony Russell. A highlight of the tour is a visit to the gardens at King Charles III beloved Highgrove House, whilst several of the other gardens are privately owned with the chance to meet the owners to learn about the history and inspiration behind them.
Available Departures |
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| 17 - August - 2025 | £ 1149.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at the Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel from 15.00
Welcome reception, dinner with wine and introductory talk 'Cotswolds Gardens' from your horticulturalist tour guide, Tony Russell.
Day 2: Batsford Arboretum and Kiftsgate Court Gardens
Our first visit today is to Batsford Arboretum, 56-acres of garden with a wide range of plants and trees from around the world with an emphasis on the Far East. Visiting in the summer months we should be able to enjoy the beautiful wildflower areas and see some of the rarer trees including the California Nutmeg, Dawn Redwood and Maidenhair Tree. Time for lunch (own expense) after a visit of the impressive grounds. Then, we are off to the glorious gardens at Kiftsgate Court, tended with loving care by three generations of lady gardeners dating back to Heather Muir in the 1930s, taken on by Danny Binny in the 1950s and, more latterly, by the Chambers family.
Day 3: Rodmarton Manor and Highgrove House Gardens
This morning we visit the privately-owned garden and house at Rodmarton Manor, where we will have a short tour of the house before exploring the lovely gardens. We then head to King Charles III Highgrove House for a guided tour of the magnificent gardens, a passion of the King for close to 40 years, with a 2-course lunch included. Please note that for security reasons, a photo ID such as driving licence or passport is required. Return to hotel for approximately 18.00.
Day 4: Hidcote Manor Garden and Bourton House Gardens
We start our last day with a visit to Hidcote, a delightful Arts & Crafts garden, run by the National Trust. One of the country’s great gardens, it was designed as a series of outdoor “rooms” by the American horticulturalist, Major Lawrence Johnston in the 1910s. After lunch (own expense) we visit Bourton House Gardens with it's stunning plant, texture and colour combinations, plus a a topiary walk, Shade House, and a raised 18th century walk which provides a stunning view of the Cotswolds landscape. Return to the hotel around 17.00.
Please note: the visit to Highgrove House Gardens to subject to confirmation of HM King Charles’ diary which is not published until later in 2025 and can change at short notice. In the case of the gardens being closed the tour date will be rearranged accordingly.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 40 passengers.
Tour Grading: This tour has been graded as moderate due to the amount of walking and time spent standing for viewing at each garden. Some of the pathways are gravelled, paved, cobbled or grassed - which may be slippery or muddy after rainfall. Some slopes and uneven surfaces, and steps to different parts of the gardens. For further information please visit the mobility page of our website, or call our team prior to booking.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Hilton Puckrup Hall, near Tewkesbury
The four-star Hilton Puckrup Hall, near Tewkesbury is set in 140 acres of grounds and boasts excellent facilities. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar, fitness centre, swimming pool, spa and steam room. Bedrooms are comfortable with en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, safe, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Parking: complimentary.
Your Guide/Lecturer
Tony Russell has worked in horticulture for almost 40 years, including 14 years in charge of Britain's National Arboretum at Westonbirt and 10 years as plant consultant to the National Trust. During this time Tony has also presented several television and radio programmes, as well as appearing as a panellist on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners Question Time. He is the author of 20 published books on gardens, plants and trees and the editor of the annual publication Great Gardens to Visit. Tony is currently consulting on a large, new arboretum being created at Rahanna House in Ireland and in 2024 will be leading a number of exclusive garden and plant-based tours, both in the UK and overseas.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
We were delighted with the chosen gardens & properties visited. Tony Russell was superb with his immense knowledge & a delightful guide. In addition we had a superb young coach driver who negotiated the narrow roads & entrances to the gardens etc. We did find day 4 was too long before we got lunch after an early start. In a separate email to you I made this comment. In addition I would like to congratulate the staff at Travel Editions on their excellent customer service.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2024
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2024
Our first use of Travel Editions and we were delighted with the itinerary and the excellence of Tour Manager/Guide. Tony Russell together with coach provider used. Hotel selection Hilton Puckrup Hall was ideal and the facilities were high class. The only criticism to be made concerns the selection of food choice each evening. More variety needed with less dependence on chicken dishes and the limited dessert choices- poor quality ice cream every night.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2024
Tony was the perfect tour guide- knowledgeable, helpful and with a super sense of humour. The gardens were delightful. All round a great experience
Review by Whelpdale who travelled 18-August-2024
We had a great time. Tony our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and the consummate host. Gardens were spectacular but made even more so by Tony’s commentary and insights. It was just a perfect break and Mum and I will be looking out for the next tour that Tony does with you.
Review by Pelly who travelled 18-August-2024
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2024
Very Happy overall with all aspects of the trip.
Review by Chattin who travelled 18-August-2024
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2024
The young driver was excellent considering his lack of driving experience. I would not have liked to take the 6.5 m minibus down some of the road he negotiated. Tony Russell was knowledgeable and amusing. There were a few small problems in my room at the hotel but most were sorted. There was a lot of confusion over the pre-ordered meals!
Review by Crafter who travelled 18-August-2024
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2024
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2024
The Hotel was good but our room was little "tired" and ready for a refurb. The food was great but the service slow. However nothing was too much trouble for the staff.
Review by South who travelled 20-August-2023
We saw some beautiful gardens but on a couple of days we did travel a long distance by coach. Some of us did not travel well in the coach. The coach driver was excellent. Perhaps some of the gardens could have been marginally closer to our hotel. Just a thought! Overall it was a fascinating tour. Very many thanks.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 20-August-2023
This was my first Travel Editions holiday and I was very impressed with the organisation, etc. Tony Russell was a very charismatic and knowledgeable leader, giving the right amount of information and managing entry to the gardens very smoothly. The hotel was comfortable and food good.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 20-August-2023
Tour Guide Tony was excellent. He made everyone feel very relaxed and was very knowledgeable. Garden tours were most enjoyable. Food was very good although service was slow on one night due to a very full hotel .
Review by Anonymous who travelled 20-August-2023
We enjoyed the tour immensely. Tony Russell was an excellent guide and also made everyone welcome. Hotel Receptionists were unhelpful at times. Service at Dinner was extremely slow because of the numbers in the hotel.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 20-August-2023
Review by Anonymous who travelled 20-August-2023
This Tour was made excellent due to the skills & knowledge of the tour guide / manager, Tony Russell.
Review by Theobald who travelled 20-August-2023
Excellent tour, brilliant tour leader (Tony Russell)
Review by Stocker who travelled 20-August-2023
Everything to do with the organisation and trip was extremely good indeed. My wife and myself were very impressed and we shall look forward to another such activity and trip. Congratulations to all concerned, especially with the leader and the coach driver.
Review by White who travelled 20-August-2023
This was my first Travel Editions tour. Tony as a tour leader was outstanding in every respect. If I had a criticism it would be that 50 guests is too many, even when divided in to two groups. I was one of the more agile but some could not hear the guide and felt as if they were left behind
Review by Qualtrough who travelled 20-August-2023
This was an excellent trip. It was a very large group but handled well by prompt splitting into 2 groups of 25 when necessary. Our leader made this trip ……. Hugely knowledgeable and very good with people of all backgrounds and thus varied interests. The choice of 6 venues was well balanced and I especially appreciated the opportunity to see Rodmarten house with its lovely garden.
Review by Le Sage-Cridland who travelled 20-August-2023
Tour guide excellent. All Gardens visited were most interesting.
Review by Trenouth who travelled 20-August-2023
Fab garden tour, Tony was so knowledgeable & well inform. Whole group got on. Many thanks.
Review by Friend who travelled 20-August-2023
A varied, well balanced selection of gardens. Tony, the tour manager, was very knowledgeable and imparted just the right amount of information.
Review by Briggs who travelled 16-August-2022
Very enjoyable tour, made especially so by our tour manager Tony Russell, who added so much to the experience.
Review by Chillingworth who travelled 16-August-2022
Overall the tour was excellent. Tony Russell as a host was brilliant, his knowledge is boundless, and he really made the tour outstanding for us.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 16-August-2022
Sorry have marked flight etc in error. Tony our tour manager was as usual excellent and extremely knowledgable, friendly and courteous.
Review by Barrowcliffe who travelled 16-August-2022
Excellent itinerary, helped by good weather. Varied and interesting locations, particularly Miserden and Highgrove. The Tour Manager was well-informed and helpful, and contributed greatly to our enjoyment. Accommodation was adequate, but the dinners were disappointing.
Review by Price who travelled 16-August-2022
Varied and interesting gardens. Tour Manager excellent. Tony really knew his stuff. Hotel catering was disappointing. Highgrove visit arrangements seemed to have gone awry as it was advertised as with lunch and we had a tea. Meaning with an 8.00am start and a 3.00pm tea we had gone over seven hours without refreshment.
Review by Hall who travelled 17-August-2021
One of the best. Tony was an absolute professional but also extremely personable to everyone. He was the icing on the wonderful cake of glorious gardens.
Review by Telling who travelled 17-August-2021
The Hilton Puckrup Hall's dinner quality was disappointing,, especially one evening. The day tours to the gardens were excellent, as was Tony Russell and his wealth of knowledge.. Tony and the driver could not have been more accommodating
Review by Anonymous who travelled 17-August-2021
Tony Russell is an exceptional Tour Manager. Extremely well informed, approachable, amusing, audible at all times and skilful in handling and logistics for an exceptionally large group.
Review by Hocombe who travelled 17-August-2021
The accommodation failures are not the fault of Travel Editions. Hilton Puckrup Hall has its own problems. Tony Russell was the star of the show.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 17-August-2021
The trip and our guide Tony was very good and informative-the gardens we visited were lovely and the hotel we stayed at very comfortable-very enjoyable if toting itinerary. We had to leave early for a funeral and we’re a bit upset it was not possible to refund us the money for the last day, and we thought the group size was rather large at 42 -we were expecting about 25 so it was sometimes a bit difficult to get near enough to hear the guide, but apart from that very enjoyable
Review by Whitehead who travelled 17-August-2021
Wonderful tour. Tony brilliant. Problem over the last evening food, but Tony sorted it for us. Have come home for a rest, we packed so much into 3 days. Fantastic. Thank you
Review by Anonymous who travelled 17-August-2021
A brilliant holiday with a lovely selection of gardens visited. Hotel and food good, but the star of the show was our host Tony who gets 11 out of 10 for his horticultural knowlede, friendliness and sense of humor. Please organize other garden tours with Tony eg Gardens of North Wales ( his home patch. )
Review by Hartley who travelled 20-August-2019
Tony Russell made that garden holiday and I would certainly go on another garden holiday if he was the guide. Wales would be a good idea
Review by Anonymous who travelled 20-August-2019
A wonderful few days visiting beautiful and interesting gardens. The tour guide (Tony Russell) was excellent - pleasant personality, very knowledgable and helpful.
Review by Holland who travelled 20-August-2019
A very interesting and well organised tour. Tony Russell, was an exceptional tour manager/guide, with expert knowledge of both general plant life and of the actual six gardens visited. This made the tour one of the most interesting and informative that we have been on. We did discuss the prospect of a 'Welsh' garden tour - it might be worth further consideration!
Review by Robinson who travelled 20-August-2019
The hotel, ‘ the hilton’ was 4* but certainly not 4 * quality. The staff were very inadequate too
Review by Anonymous who travelled 20-August-2019
Great group of people, great host in Tony Russell. Wonderful choice of gardens. Very relaxed and pleasant. Lived up to expectations.
Review by Barnard who travelled 20-August-2019
We had requested either a disabled or downstairs room. In the event neither were available and Admistration should have notified us to that effect. The food at the hotel was excellent. However, the hotel needs to update certain minor features viz the heated towel rails were not working ( reason given was they are centrally controlled i.e. all rooms or none. Individual controls should be available in a good standard hotel.) and the internet required repeated logons. The disabled parking was nowhere near the hotel entrance. All of these features should be part of a Hilton hotel chain .
Review by Bate who travelled 20-August-2019
This was a very well-planned and interesting three days in the Cotswolds, made particularly special by Tony Russell's great overall knowledge and charm. It was a wonderful experience.
Review by Digby who travelled 20-August-2019
