The Blooming Cotswolds
Welcome to the Cotswolds, a very special, very wonderful place offering some of the finest gardens the UK has to offer.
Welcome to the Cotswolds, a very special, very wonderful place offering some of the finest gardens the UK has to offer.
Welcome to the Cotswolds, a very special, very wonderful place offering some of the finest gardens the UK has to offer. Bursting with fragrance and colour they feature creative designs from the Rococo and Arts and Crafts periods to the present day, with a wide variety of plants decorated with statues, water features and follies. From traditional English country gardens to exotic plantings inspired by Italy, India and the Far East – we have chosen three of the best during this long-weekend break. All are set within the quintessentially English countryside, punctuated with pretty villages of honey coloured stone amidst the glorious rolling hills.
ITINERARY
Friday - Morning departure from Dorset to Cirencester, capital of the Cotswolds and a charming market town - stay for lunch and sights. This afternoon we shall visit nearby Bibury, reputedly "The most beautiful village in England". The cottages of Arlington Row are probably one of the most photographed anywhere. Resume to Cheltenham and check-in to our hotel.
Saturday - We spend time in Cheltenham this morning, the most complete Regency town in the UK and voted best place to live in the South West by the Sunday Times. An intimate, friendly and civilised place of culture, learning and discovery - enjoy! This afternoon we drive across the Cotswold Hills to Hidecote Gardens - an Arts & Crafts inspired garden with intricately designed outdoor spaces surrounded by stunning scenery. Over 10 acres takes visitors on a journey through intimate formal areas, revealing new vistas at every turn, to more natural areas that blend into the countryside.
Sunday - Morning visit to Morton-in-Marsh whose broad High Street is lined with elegant 17th & 18th century buildings crafted from Cotswold Sandstone. Specialist shops, antique emporiums and tea rooms proliferate and distract the visitor. This afternoon we shall visit Borton House Garden - featuring luxuriant terraces and wide herbaceous borders with stunning plant, texture and colour combinations. There is topiary, a white garden, water features, a shade house, a seven acre field of specimen trees, and so much more to enjoy.
Monday - We visit Painswick Rococo Gardens this morning, squeezed into a narrow valley with deceptive vistas juxtaposed with serpentine paths and peppered with charming follies that surprise and delight. A way for the 18th century middle classes to show off their wealth, these ornamental gardens became an elaborate playroom where they would entertain and party. Leaving after lunch we drive back to Dorset returning by late afternoon.
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
Delta Hotel by Marriott Cheltenham Chase
This modern and stylish 4 star hotel is situated in a quiet location on the outskirts of Cheltenham and convenient for our visits across the Cotswolds area. Stylishly refurbished with spacious modern rooms and a spa onsite it is a true haven of tranquillity. Deluxe king size bedrooms provide large beds, private bathrooms with free toiletries, hairdryer, iron, safe, tea tray, fridge, phone, television with movie channels, air-conditioning and free wifi. Hardys Restaurant provides stunning views while you savour delicious freshly prepared food and drink. Hunters Bar is the perfect place to socialise and unwind or take a seat in the surrounding garden. The Spa offers a gym, sauna and steam rooms, heated indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi. A lift serves all floors.
Tour Price: £399.00 per Person
Single room supplement: £130.00
Price Includes: All coach travel, 3 nights hotel accommodation, Half board meals, Entry to Hidecote Garden, Entry to Bourton House Garden, Entry to Rococo Gardens.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Beaminster Area | Convenient local point in Beaminster to be advised |
| Blandford Area | Convenient local point in Blandford to be advised |
| Bournemouth Area | Convenient point in Bournemouth to be advised |
| Branksome Area | Convenient point in Branksome to be advised |
| Bridport Area | Convenient local point in Bridport to be advised |
| Britannia Inn | Britannia Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland |
| Charlestown | The Alexandra Inn, Chickerell Road, Charlestown |
| Chickerell | Bluebird Garage, Chickerell Road |
| Corfe Castle | Convenient point in Corfe Castle to be advised |
| Courtlands | Portland, Courtlands bus stop |
| Dorchester South Station | Dorchester South Station bus stop |
| Dorchester TOT | Top O'Town Car Park (by cafe), Dorchester |
| Easton | Easton Square, Portland |
| Ferndown Area | Convenient local point in Ferndown to be advised |
| Foords Corner | Foords Corner bus stop, Wyke Regis |
| Jestys Avenue | Bus stop end of Jestys Avenue on Littlemoor Road |
| Littlemead | Broadwey, Littlemead bus stop (Swan Inn) |
| Lodmoor Hill | Lodmoor Hill Bus Stop (near Post Office) |
| Lyme Regis | Convenient local point in Lyme Regis to be advised |
| Lyndale bus stop | Wyke Regis, Lyndale Bus Stop |
| Nottington | Broadwey, Nottington Corner bus stop |
| Other Points in Dorset | Phone us to discuss a convenient pick up. |
| Poole Area | Convenient local point in Poole to be advised |
| Poundbury QMSE | Poundbury Queen Mother Square bus stop (Coach heading into Dorchester) |
| Radipole | Spa Hotel bus stop, Radipole |
| Redlands | Redlands, Opposite Garage |
| Ringwood Area | Convenient local point in Ringwood to be advised |
| Rodwell | Rodwell Traffic Lights, Rodwell Rd/Rodwell Ave |
| Sgt Bunn | St Bunn Bakery, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| Sherborne Area | Convenient local point in Sherborne to be advised |
| Southwell | Portland, Southwell, Opposite Eight Kings Inn |
| St Edmunds Church | St Edmunds Church, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| St Johns Church | Weymouth, St Johns Church, outside Dentist |
| St Nicholas Church | St Nicholas Church, Buxton Road, Weymouth |
| Sturminster Newton Area | Convenient point in Stur. Newton to be advised |
| Swanage Area | Convenient local point in Swanage to be advised |
| To be advised | To be advised - Approx. 2 weeks before travel |
| Upton Area | Convenient local point in Upton to be advised |
| Victoria Square | Victoria Square bus stop, Portland |
| Wareham Area | Convenient local point in Wareham to be advised |
| Westwey Road | Westwey Rd, Magistrates Court, Weymouth |
| Weymouth Bluebird | Weymouth, Outside Bluebird Office, K1 bus stop |
| Wimborne Area | Convenient local point in Wimborne to be advised |
| Wool Area | Convenient local point in Wool to be advised |
| Wyke Smuggler | Smugglers Inn, Wyke Regis |
| Yeovil Area | Convenient local point in Yeovil to be advised |
