Returning to the Cotswolds with another collection of superb gardens to visit. The legendary gardens at Daylesford House and Stowell Park, a private garden not normally open to the public, and the beautiful gardens at Rockcliffe and Eyford.  In addition a visit to the well-known pottery at Whichford.  Staying for two or, if you prefer, three nights at the 4 star Macdonald Alveston Manor in the heart of Stratford-on-Avon. 

Daylesford House, a strikingly beautiful setting with sweeping lawns, lakes and woodland, the estate’s roots lie in its colonial past having once belonged to the first Governor-General of Bengal. The present owners, Sir Anthony and Lady Bamford have restored and recreated from the Orangery, walled garden and waterfall cascades to the Secret Garden – all immaculately maintained and an inspiration on a grand scale.  Stowell Park, again a quintessential large English country garden in an exceptionally beautiful setting overlooking the Coln Valley; a huge walled garden with colour themed borders, rose pergolas, cut-flowers, peach and vine houses and around the Elizabethan house beautiful lawned terraces.  Rockcliffe, created by the owner and garden designer Emma Keswick, another breathtaking garden – flowing borders, wonderful designs of topiary and specimen trees enhancing rills and pools. Adjacent is Eyford House originally laid out by Graham Stuart Thomas with ornamental shrubs, walled kitchen garden and lakes.   Finally a strong design structure and clever use of colour creates the exceptional garden that surrounds the “private Jacobean mansion” near Stratford, a garden rich in interesting spaces and unusual planting.

A visit to Whichford, the family run pottery where they are passionate about keeping potting skills alive and specialise in making traditional English hand thrown pots of every shape and size and some of gargantuan proportions! Each week 6 tonnes of raw clay are turned into 600 handmade flowerpots by a specialist team.  An opportunity to see the pots being turned, get ideas for filling pots and perhaps pot one to take home in the coach!

Monday 25 June:  Arrive and check into the hotel. Welcome drink and dinner.
Tuesday 26 June:  Stowell Park; a break in Stow on the Wold for lunch before visiting the gardens at Eyford and Rockcliffe; tea and refreshments then return to Stratford.  Dinner in the hotel.
Wednesday 27 June:  Visit a private garden near Stratford, then Whichford Pottery. Light lunch in a local village pub before visiting the extensive gardens at Daylesford House. Return to Stratford for 5.30 – either to depart or to stay the extra night at the Alveston Manor Hotel.

Julius Caesar is being performed for these nights at the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre – tickets are on sale now (box office 0844 800 1110) – book tickets early if you want to include this in your visit to Stratford. 

	2 or 3 nights accommodation and breakfast
	All garden entries and tours
	Dinner in the hotel on 2 nights and 1 lunch Whichford.
	Executive coaching and professional guide.