England: RHS Garden Bridgewater and Gardens of the North West 547
England: RHS Garden Bridgewater and Gardens of the North West 547
England: RHS Garden Bridgewater and Gardens of the North West 547
4 Days Starting and ending in England, United Kingdom
Visiting: Trentham Estate, England, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, Northwich
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BBNW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 25
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, Please contact Brightwater with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Special Guest Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the lush gardens of England's North West with our "England: RHS Garden Bridgewater and Gardens of the North West" tour. Delight in the Italian elegance of Trentham Estate, explore the innovative RHS Garden Bridgewater, and enjoy exclusive access to a charming private garden. Discover the historical beauty of Dunham Massey and the Edwardian charm of Tatton Park, each offering a unique horticultural experience. Conclude your tour with a visit to Arley Hall, renowned for its stunning double herbaceous borders. Enjoy comfortable coach travel, professional guidance, and delightful accommodations throughout your journey. Meals are provided as per the itinerary, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. This tour is a must for garden enthusiasts seeking inspiration and tranquility amidst England's most exquisite landscapes.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Trentham Estate, England
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Pinewood Hotel on Wilmslow
Meals Included: Dinner
We depart by coach from our pick-up points this morning and head for the north-west of England, where we begin with a visit to the gardens of Trentham Estate in Staffordshire. The contemporary revival of the famous Italian Gardens was led by renowned designer and multi-Chelsea gold-medal winner Tom Stuart-Smith. To the east of the Italian Gardens are the Rivers of Grass and the adjacent Floral Labyrinth. Both these schemes were designed by eminent Dutch plantsman, and Chelsea gold medal winner, Piet Oudolf. At the centre of Trentham Gardens is the mile long, Capability Brown designed, Trentham Lake. Take the circular lakeside walk all the way round as it takes you beside the River Trent, by the bird hide, through Capability Brown’s cascading weir and along atmospheric woodland trails. The show gardens offer further inspiration to gardeners’ on a more domestic scale. Lunch is available here (not included).
Following our visit we continue to our hotel in Cheshire.
Day 2
Location: Manchester
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Pinewood Hotel on Wilmslow
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we depart for our visit to the brand new RHS Garden Bridgewater at Worsley, to the west of Manchester. This once in a generation project will see the Royal Horticultural Society take inspiration from the heritage of the site and transform it into a world-class garden, while also delivering a programme of community outreach and education activities, volunteering and training. Based on an overall design by leading landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, highlights will include one of the largest walled gardens in the UK, beautifully landscaped grounds, living plant collections and horticultural trials.
In the afternoon we visit a nearby private garden which in contrast to Bridgewater is much smaller but no less intriguing. The Secret Valley was transformed by its owner from a former Coal Board dumping ground into an urban paradise, where swans and kingfishers nest on the floating islands of the tranquil lake. There are statues, an apple orchard, a rose garden and a vast array of wildflowers and plants alongside streams and secret pathways over three distinct plateaus leading to the lake.
Day 3
Location: Greater Manchester, England
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Pinewood Hotel on Wilmslow
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Following breakfast we visit the gardens at Dunham Massey. Previously a garden of straight lines and regimented planting favoured by the 2nd Earl of Stamford and Warrington, the garden became the family’s pleasure ground under the 5th Earl when sweeping lawns and meandering paths were introduced. Shunned by Cheshire society, 7th Earl George Harry and his wife, former circus performer Catharine Cox, abandoned Dunham in 1856 and the garden was left unchanged for the rest of the 19th century. After being pressed into service to help the war effort in both world wars, Dunham Massey was taken over by the National Trust in 1976 and work began to transform the garden to its former glory. It was decided that the garden would have an Edwardian pleasure ground feel with the freedom to choose from a range of planting options, with native favourites alongside exotic treasures. The garden continues to evolve today – modern additions include the Rose Garden and the Winter Garden.
Later we visit Tatton Park, whose gardens have developed over 200 years yet retain much of their Edwardian character. Lewis William Wyatt and Joseph Paxton, architect of Crystal Palace, designed various elements including the Conservatory which is now open following a comprehensive restoration programme. Other features include a vegetable garden used for growing varieties of plant known to be cultivated at Tatton during the Edwardian era such as ‘Scarlet Emperor’ runner beans, ‘Fat Lazy Blonde’ lettuce and ‘British Queen’ potatoes and a fine representation of a Japanese garden, thought to be the result of Alan de Tatton’s visit to the Anglo-Japanese Exhibition at the White City in London in 1910.
Day 4
Location: Northwich
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we check out of the hotel and depart for a visit to Arley Hall. A pair of herbaceous borders was laid out here in 1846 and they survive to this day, beautifully maintained – one of the great garden sights of England. There are also old walled gardens with good mixed borders and a simple terraced walk above a ha-ha. Still in private hands, Arley Hall preserves the atmosphere of a garden kept for its own delight.
Following this, our final visit, we return to our original pick-up points.
What's Included
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Meals - as per the itinerary
Meals are included as per the itinerary.
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Comfortable coach travel throughout
Comfortable coach travel is provided throughout the tour.
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Services of a professional tour manager
The services of a professional tour manager are included.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is included in the tour package.
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All visits as outlined in the itinerary
All visits as outlined in the itinerary are included.
What's Not Included
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International Travel
International travel is not included in the tour package.
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Tipping and Gratuities
Tipping and gratuities are not included.
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Lunch on Day 1
Lunch on Day 1 is not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel comfortably throughout the tour with coach transportation, ensuring a relaxed journey to each of the stunning garden destinations in the North West of England.
Accommodation
Stay at the Pinewood Hotel on Wilmslow, offering comfortable accommodations in Cheshire, providing a convenient base for exploring the beautiful gardens of the North West.
Check out our Q&As
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What is unique about the RHS Garden Bridgewater visit?
The RHS Garden Bridgewater is a brand new garden project by the Royal Horticultural Society, transforming the site into a world-class garden with a focus on community outreach, education activities, volunteering, and training. It features one of the largest walled gardens in the UK, beautifully landscaped grounds, living plant collections, and horticultural trials.
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What can I expect to see at Trentham Estate?
At Trentham Estate, you can explore the contemporary revival of the famous Italian Gardens designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, the Rivers of Grass, and the Floral Labyrinth by Piet Oudolf. The estate also features a mile-long lake designed by Capability Brown, a circular lakeside walk, and show gardens for inspiration.
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What is special about the private garden visit on Day 2?
The private garden visit on Day 2 is to a place known as the Secret Valley, which was transformed from a former Coal Board dumping ground into an urban paradise. It features swans and kingfishers, statues, an apple orchard, a rose garden, wildflowers, and secret pathways leading to a tranquil lake.
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How has Dunham Massey evolved over the years?
Dunham Massey has evolved from a garden of straight lines and regimented planting to a pleasure ground with sweeping lawns and meandering paths. It was left unchanged for much of the 19th century and later transformed by the National Trust to have an Edwardian pleasure ground feel, with modern additions like the Rose Garden and Winter Garden.
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What historical elements are present at Tatton Park?
Tatton Park's gardens have developed over 200 years and retain much of their Edwardian character. Historical elements include designs by Lewis William Wyatt and Joseph Paxton, such as the Conservatory, a vegetable garden with Edwardian-era plant varieties, and a Japanese garden inspired by the Anglo-Japanese Exhibition in 1910.
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What makes Arley Hall's gardens notable?
Arley Hall's gardens are notable for their pair of herbaceous borders laid out in 1846, which are beautifully maintained and considered one of the great garden sights of England. The gardens also feature old walled gardens, mixed borders, and a terraced walk above a ha-ha, preserving the atmosphere of a garden kept for its own delight.
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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