Monday, May 18 - Tonight, board your overnight flight from your chosen U.S. gateway to London. If you’re booking your own ticket, make sure your flight arrives before 10:00 am the next morning.

Overnight: Plane

Tuesday, May 19 - Upon arriving at Heathrow, you’ll be greeted and transferred to our hotel in central London. Depending on your arrival time, your room might not be ready, so we’ll start with an introduction to the city and a visit to the fascinating Garden Museum. Housed in a restored medieval church along the Thames, the museum celebrates Britain’s rich gardening heritage and provides a perfect first look at the artistry we’ll explore during our trip. Afterward, please return to the hotel to refresh and unpack before we meet this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.

(D) Overnight: London

Wednesday, May 20 - Today is dedicated to the world’s most renowned garden event: the Chelsea Flower Show. Thanks to our membership in the Royal Horticultural Society, we gain access on the members-only day, when crowds are fewer, and the atmosphere feels especially exclusive. Wander at your leisure among show gardens designed by the world’s top landscape artists, each a stunning showcase of creativity and horticultural mastery. If you wish, walk a short distance to the Chelsea Physic Garden, founded in 1673, where centuries of botanical history unfold in a peaceful setting. This evening is free for you to explore London at your own pace.

(B) Overnight: London

Thursday, May 21 - This morning, we leave London's hustle behind and head into the picturesque landscapes of the Cotswolds. Our first stop is Pettifers Garden, a labor of love created over 15 years, where bold plantings and sweeping views give the garden its distinctive character. After lunch at a countryside pub, we continue to Broughton Grange, a large estate where modern design blends seamlessly with centuries-old countryside charm. With formal gardens, rolling hills, and a renowned arboretum, it offers a feast for the senses. Upon arrival at our Cotswolds hotel, settle in before dinner together.

(B, D) Overnight: Cotswolds

Friday, May 22 - After a leisurely breakfast, we visit Buscot Park, an elegant country estate owned by Lord Faringdon and the National Trust. Its gardens are awe-inspiring: a dramatic Italian-style water garden with cascading pools, fragrant rose beds, whimsical topiary, and the stunning Four Seasons Walled Garden. After exploring both the house and gardens, we return to the hotel for a relaxed afternoon. The evening is free for you to dine independently at one of the region’s inviting restaurants.

(B) Overnight: Cotswolds Pettifers Garden

Saturday, May 23 - This morning, we visit Iford Manor, home to Harold Peto’s enchanting Italianate garden, a Grade I-listed masterpiece featuring cloisters, terraces, and stone columns. From there, we head to Bath for a guided tour and lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Kelmscott Manor, the beloved Cotswold retreat of William Morris, an essential figure in the Arts and Crafts movement. Its honey-colored limestone house and intimate gardens embody English country charm. We return to the hotel this evening with time to enjoy dinner on your own.

(B, L) Overnight: Cotswolds Gravetye Manor

Sunday, May 24 – Today, we say goodbye to the Cotswolds and head southeast to Wisley, home of the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship garden. Spanning 240 acres, Wisley offers a living encyclopedia of horticulture, blending formal gardens, experimental plantings, and impressive glasshouses. After lunch and a guided tour of highlights, you’ll have time to browse the famous Wisley shop before we go to our hotel in Dorking. This evening, we gather for dinner together.

(B, D) Overnight: Dorking

Monday, May 25 - Our day begins at Vann Gardens, a jewel of the Arts and Crafts movement, featuring a Water Garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll in 1911. We then proceed to Gravetye Manor, once home to William Robinson, whose revolutionary ideas changed English gardening forever. After lunch at the estate, enjoy a guided tour of the gardens with the head gardener, Tom Coward, who continues Robinson’s tradition of naturalistic planting. Returning to Dorking, the evening is yours to dine at one of the area’s many fine restaurants.

(B, L) Overnight: Dorking

Tuesday, May 26 - Our final full day begins at Great Dixter, the residence of famed plantsman Christopher Lloyd. Medieval buildings, clipped yew topiary, and vivid mixed borders—including the famous Long Border—make it one of England’s most inspiring gardens. Next, we visit Sissinghurst, created by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband, Harold Nicolson. They transformed a Tudor estate’s ruins into one of the world’s most beloved gardens, featuring ten distinct “garden rooms” with exceptional plantings, colors, and fragrances. We return to the hotel this evening for a festive farewell dinner.

(B, D) Overnight: Dorking

Wednesday, May 27 - Transfers to Heathrow are arranged for flights back to the U.S. this morning.

(B) Overnight: Home

Key to Included Meals: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner