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Gardens of Shropshire and the Welsh Borders
Hodnet Hall, Wollerton Old Hall,
Powis Castle, Glansevern,
David Austin’s Nursery
Staying at Mercure Albrighton Hall Hotel,
near Shrewsbury (4 Star)
22– 25 June 2010 (3 nights) |
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Returning to Shropshire with a new garden tour that includes stunning gardens around Welshpool, - Glansevern and Powis Castle. Also the historic Hodnet Hall, and outstanding Wollerton Old Hall Garden plus private visits to the smaller gardens at Holly Grove and Windy Ridge. A visit to two famous and specialist nurseries, David Austin’s Roses and Dingle Nurseries, each with their own fantastic gardens and plenty of tempting plants to buy. Staying at the comfortable four star Mercure Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa, just north of Shrewsbury. The hotel is set in its own landscaped grounds with extensive leisure facilities and an award winning two-rosette restaurant
Tuesday 22 June: Arrive and check into the hotel before a welcome drink and dinner.
Wednesday 23 June: Depart by coach – first to Hodnet Hall. The Herber-Percy family have lived at Hodnet since the 11th century but the serious development of the sixty acres of gardens began in 1921 and was the work of the late Brigadier Heber-Percy. Renowned as amongst the finest in the country, the forest trees provide a wonderful backdrop for the formal gardens planted to give delight during every season, with woodland walks, flowering shrubs and a superb daisy chain of ornamental pools and lakes. Continuing to Wollerton Old Hall Garden, a four acre plantsman’s garden developed around a 16th century house, formal garden with exuberantly planted borders, huge emphasis on colour and form and many rare and unusual plants. A light lunch will be provided. Finally, just south of Shrewsbury, Holly Grove where the owner has created an exceptional garden with unusual plants and a small arboretum, wild flower meadow and formal borders. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Thursday 24 June: Venturing across the border into Wales. Welshpool hosts three superb gardens. The Dingle Nurseries Garden established by the Roy and Barbie Joseph who created this stunning 4 acre garden to showcase some of the numerous plants and shrubs that they grow. A fascinating garden, albeit on a slight slopes with small paths and steps, this dramatic valley and connecting small lakes is a delight and very unusual, plus of course the tantalising knowledge that just up above, the nursery is filled with temptation! Continuing on to Glansevern Hall – the tranquil setting for this beautiful garden laid out around what Pevsner described as “an austere Greek Revival house of Cefn stone” is a great contrast to the previous garden. A gentle path leads around the lake planted with some wonderful specimens of unusual trees, lovely formal gardens and a large rock garden all add to the interest of this historic garden. A two-course lunch with coffee will be served before the tour continues on to Powis Castle.
A spectacular setting for a medieval castle perched on a rock and built by Welsh princes, now home to the Earls of Powis. It rises above the world famous garden with its Italianate terraces, original lead statures, orangery and an aviary on the terraces. The gardens are steep but it is well worth the effort to enjoy the stunning views. Inside the Castle can be found one of the finest collections of paintings and furniture in Wales and a beautiful collection of treasure from India displayed in the Clive Museum. Return to the hotel and dine at individually booked times.
Friday 25 June Check out of the hotel before the morning’s tour. First the private garden, Windy Ridge, on the “Wrekin” cleverly designed with exotic and unusual plants creating space and interest in every corner also defying the odds of gardening at 700 ft above sea-level. Then to David Austin, breeders of the famous English Roses, 700 different varieties of roses are planted in the specially created garden. Coffee and refreshments followed by a guided tour. Return to hotel at around 2.30 pm, the coach can drop at the station.
Tour Price:
Price per person: £455
Single Supplement: £60
Non refundable deposit: £100 pp
Tour price includes:
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3 nights accommodation dinner, full English Breakfast
and welcome reception |
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Entries to all gardens and lunch on two days |
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Executive coaching and professional tour guide |
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Mercure Albrighton Hall Hotel, Shrewsbury
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