20 English Gardens To See Before You Die May 20-30, 2020

Optional Pre-Extension: Chelsea Flower Show May 16-21, 2020

England lays claim to some of the world’s most celebrated gardens and grand estates. Join C. Colston Burrell and Isabel Wrench to visit twenty of these iconic English gardens. Inspired by the book 1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die, we will visit must-see gardens and stately country houses from London up to the Peak District of north central England. The tour includes grand gardens that have developed over centuries, scenic ruins, 20th century masterpieces, as well as contemporary gardens, both large and small. Destinations include storied properties made famous in books, television, and movies, such as Castle Howard, Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth, Tatton Park, Stowe, and Waterperry.

Every gardener should see the Chelsea Flower Show at least once. The show has been a staple of the British social and cultural scene for nearly 150 years. The event, held on the grounds of London's Royal Hospital, is one of the largest and most celebrated flower shows in the world. This exclusive tour includes Royal Horticultural Society membership and admittance to the prestigious flower show on a members-only day. Before the show, travel through southeastern England with visits to private gardens and estates including Great Dixter, Sissinghurst, and Beth Chatto Gardens, before returning to London for the flower show!

Escorted by C. Colston Burrell

C. Colston Burrell

C. Colston Burrell is an acclaimed lecturer, garden designer, and photographer. He has escorted garden and natural history tours throughout the United States, as well as England, South Africa, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.

The author of 12 gardening books, Cole has twice won the American Horticulture Society Book Award. A certified chlorophyll addict, he is an avid and lifelong plantsman, gardener, and naturalist. He is a popular lecturer, speaking internationally on topics of design, plants, and ecology, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with professional and amateur audiences for 35 years.

In 2008, Cole received the Award of Distinction from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers for his work promoting sustainable gardening practices. He gardens on ten wild acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

accommodations in centrally-

conditioned motor

Welcome cocktail reception at the conservatory

All activities, guided tours with head gardeners and entrance fees during scheduled sightseeing

deductible donation for members of

Main Tour Highlights • Walk in the footsteps of history through the iconic gardens of storied estates including Hatfield House,

Haddon Hall, and Biddulph Grange

• Enjoy guided tours of contemporary gardens such as Turn End, Serge Hill Barn Garden, and York Gate

• Tour three opulent country houses including Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth House

• Weave through the scenic ruins at Bolton Priory, Rievaulx Abbey, and Fountains Abbey

• Partake of a cocktail reception in the conservatory at Oxford Botanical Gardens

• Visit two bronze-age stone circles on the moors of Derbyshire's Peak District

• Peruse the extensive collection of Burleigh Staffordshire ceramics at the Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-

Kent

Chelsea Flower Show Pre-Tour Highlights • Enjoy guided tours of four iconic gardens including Sissinghurst and Beth Chatto Gardens

• Tour Fairlight End, a nature-style 21st century garden

• Partake of a garden tour, cocktails, and dinner in the great hall at Christopher Lloyd's Great Dixter

• Spend a full day exploring the Chelsea Flower Show during a members-only day

Your Expert Hosts

Isabel Wrench

Isabel Wrench and Cole first worked together on tours for Horticulture magazine. She is conversant in topics as diverse as garden design, British history, and ecology.

Fluent in Spanish and Italian, Isabel is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide, the highest classification for professional guides in Britain. She says of herself, “I like to think of myself as very easygoing with a very relaxed approach to guiding. In my opinion, giving my passengers a good time is every bit as important as the information they hear. I still enjoy people as much, if not more, than I did when I first started in tourism.”

Isabel grew up as a National Trust baby. Her parents were caretakers at several historic properties, including Stourhead. Her experience and unique perspective will enrich your trip, and Cole is so excited to be working with her again. He knows that you will love her as much as he does!

For more details or to register, visit our website at:

https://cwt-me.cvent.com/MSHSEnglishGardens2020

*Price is per person based on double occupancy and a minimum of 24 participants.

**Price is per person based on double occupancy and a minimum of 16 or 18 participants.

Additional cost for single accommodations is available upon request. Airfare is additional—tour begins in London (Heathrow) and ends in Manchester. CWT Vacations air coordinators can assist with flight reservations.

MAIN TOUR PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:

• Nine nights’ accommodations in centrally located, 4-star hotels

• Transportation by deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach with professional driver and gratuities

• Daily breakfast at the hotel

• Eight group lunches

• Welcome cocktail reception in the conservatory at Oxford Botanical Garden

• Farewell dinner in local pub

• All activities, guided tours with head gardeners, and entrance fees during scheduled sightseeing

• Admission to public and private gardens

• Expert hosts Cole Burrell and Isabel Wrench

• $100 tax-deductible donation for members of the MSHS

Main Tour Land-Only

$5,400 per person*

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare into London (Heathrow) and departing Manchester; airline fees for checked, oversized, or overweight luggage; additional hotel nights; optional sightseeing activities; gratuities to luggage handlers, housekeeping, or tour hosts; meals not indicated in the itinerary; travel insurance; other items not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary.

PRE-TOUR PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:

• Four nights’ accommodations in 4-star hotels

• Transportation by deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach with professional driver and gratuities

• Daily breakfast at the hotel

• Three group lunches

• Welcome dinner event

• Cocktails and dinner at Great Dixter Garden

• Chelsea Flower Show admission and a year’s membership at the Royal Horticultural Society

• Admission to public and private gardens

• Guided tour experiences

• Sightseeing and garden admissions as listed on the itinerary

• Expert hosts Cole Burrell and Isabel Wrench

Chelsea Pre-Tour Land-Only

18 paying: $2,795 per person**

16 paying: $2,950 per person**

Pricing & Inclusions

Registration opens Monday, October 21.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon!

Register now to confirm your space!

Questions? Contact CWT Vacations at 763-852-8162.