Tuesday 4 May: Staying at the centrally located Regency four star Mercure Queen’s Hotel in the elegant spa town of Cheltenham. Arrive and check into the hotel; enjoy exploring the town before welcome drink and dinner

Wednesday 5 May: The coach will depart for The Laskett.  This wonderful Herefordshire garden was transformed by historian Sir Roy Strong and his late wife Julia, could be described in many ways as an autobiography of their lives.  It is hoped, diary permitting, that Sir Roy will be able to welcome the group and then you will be able to enjoy looking around the garden, with explanations of the history, inspiration and background to some of the vistas, alleys, statues, memorials and landscaping that relate to the great partnership and vision he and his wife shared in creating the garden over 30 years.  Now with equal enthusiasm he has applied his creative energy, cutting back, replanting and ensuring the garden can be enjoyed in future generations.    The second garden is at Abbey Dore Court a beautiful six-acre plant-lovers’ garden with formal, wild and river areas set in glorious countryside in view of the famous Cistercian Abbey.  A delicious two-course lunch will be provided by the owner Mrs Ware. (If you watch BBC 4 Country House rescue in March you might be surprised!) Returning to Cheltenham a stop will be made for refreshments and a visit to the Nature in Art Museum, a growing art collection by major artists spanning 1500 years housed at Wallsworth Hall, a fine Georgian mansion, and dedicated exclusively to fine, decorative and applied art inspired by nature.  Return to the hotel for dinner.

Thursday 6 May - As connoisseurs of garden shows we are certain that the RHS Malvern Spring Garden Show is in a league of its own. With the stunning backdrop of the Malvern Hills, this spacious show ground is alive with the anticipation and expectation that true gardeners experience at the start of a horticultural year. Undoubtedly the finest and friendliest show, offering inspirational and creative ideas or equally somewhere to relax and enjoy the best the garden world can offer - from the RHS Floral Marquee, showcasing over 100 leading special nurseries, to the specialist food and drink hall and some fantastic shopping opportunities.  Special entry on the first day is normally much quieter and only for RHS members, professionals and press.  The coach will depart promptly to ensure maximum time at the show before continuing mid-afternoon to Madresfield Court.

You will have a guided tour of what is essentially a private home and quite different from the extravagant film set of Castle Howard; this is the real Brideshead. For generations home to the Lygon family and the Earls Beauchamp, Evelyn Waugh spent many months staying here and writing his novels in the old Nursery. Many of the characteristics of the house and family were reproduced in Brideshead Revisited.  Architecturally of medieval origins with Elizabethan and Victorian additions, girdled by a deep medieval moat and with an exceptional Arts and Craft decorated chapel.  Return to the hotel around 1730 hrs for departure, or you may consider staying an extra night in Cheltenham and dining in either the hotel or other restaurants in the town.

Tour Cost:
Price per person £399 (two nights)
Single Supplement  £40 
Non refundable deposit £100 pp
(Extra night 6 May £55 pp BB £20 ss - reserve at time of booking)

Tour cost includes:

	2 nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner
	Welcome drink and light lunch Abbey Dore
	RHS Malvern Show entry
	Garden/house/tour entry as stated.
	Professional guide and executive coaching

Staying at the Mercure Queen’s Hotel Cheltenham