England: Somerset’s Secret Gardens 5293
England: Somerset’s Secret Gardens 5293
$1180
Tour Overview
Discover the hidden gems of Somerset's enchanting gardens on this captivating tour. Begin your journey with a visit to the eclectic Watcombe garden, where topiary and hedging create a delightful maze. Explore the vibrant Batcombe House garden, a haven for plant enthusiasts, before enjoying the breathtaking views from Stoberry Garden. Immerse yourself in the romantic charm of Iford Manor's Italian garden, adorned with classical statuary and architectural fragments. Conclude your adventure with a scenic drive through the picturesque Quantock Hills, leading to the Cannington Walled Garden, a blend of classic and contemporary horticultural artistry. Enjoy three nights of comfort at the Walnut Tree in Taunton, with dinner, bed, and breakfast included, and travel in style with comfortable coaching and the expertise of a professional tour manager. This tour promises a delightful exploration of Somerset's secret gardens, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and historical charm. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Watcombe, North Petherton
Accommodation Name: The Walnut Tree
Meals Included: Dinner
We depart from our London, Reading, Swindon and Bristol pick-up points this morning and head for our first visit, the privately-owned Watcombe garden, a ¾ acre garden was created between 1937 and 1975, in an Edwardian style of formal layout and informal planting. Because different parts were acquired at different times, there is an eclectic mix of topiary, box hedging, a lime walk, pleached hornbeams, two formal ponds, mixed herbaceous borders and orchard. There are many unusual trees and shrubs, separated by a strong framework, giving scope for exploring round unexpected corners.
We then continue to our accommodation in North Petherton. ...more ...less
Day 2
Location: Shepton Mallet, Wells
Accommodation Name: The Walnut Tree
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we visit the privately-owned garden at Batcombe House near Shepton Mallet, considered to be one of the best in the county. This is a plantswoman’s and designer’s garden of two parts: one a riot of colour through kitchen terraces and a potager leading to a wildflower orchard; the other a calm contemporary amphitheatre with large herbaceous borders and interesting trees and shrubs.
We then continue into the beautiful Cathedral City of Wells – the smallest city in the country, where there will be time to look around at leisure and have lunch (not included).
We finish today at Stoberry Garden, which like the previous visit offers breathtaking views over Wells and the Vale of Avalon. The six-acre family garden is planted sympathetically within its landscape, providing a stunning combination of vistas accented with wildlife ponds, water features and sculpture. There is also a large walled garden, a sunken garden, gazebo, potager and lime walk.
Dinner is served in the evening back at our hotel.
Day 3
Location: Taunton, Iford Manor
Accommodation Name: The Walnut Tree
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We begin today with a visit to Bradon Farm near Taunton, a classic formal garden demonstrating the effective use of structure. Features include a parterre, a knot garden, a pleached lime walk, a formal pond, herbaceous borders, an orchard and wildflower planting.
We continue our day with a visit to Iford Manor, near Bradford on Avon. This romantic award-winning Italian garden designed by Harold Peto contains a formal garden on old terraces embellished with his collection of classical statuary and architectural fragments, which we will discover during our visit. Steep flights of steps link the terraces with pools, fountains, loggias, colonnades, urns and figures.
Day 4
Location: Quantock Hills, Walled Gardens of Cannington
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast we check out of the hotel and enjoy a scenic drive through the heaths and woodlands of the Quantock Hills, which were designated as England’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956.
We continue to our final visit, the Walled Gardens of Cannington. Classic and contemporary features include a hot herbaceous border, a blue garden, a sub-tropical walk and a Victorian style fernery. There is also a botanical glasshouse where arid, sub-tropical and tropical plants can be seen.
Following this we continue our homeward journey and expect to arrive back at our original departure point in the early evening.
What's Included
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Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the Walnut Tree (or similar) in Taunton
The tour includes three nights' dinner, bed, and breakfast at the Walnut Tree or a similar accommodation in Taunton.
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Comfortable coaching throughout
The tour provides comfortable coaching for all travel throughout the itinerary.
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All visits as outlined in the itinerary
All visits mentioned in the itinerary are included in the tour package.
What's Not Included
Lunch on Day 2
Lunch on Day 2 is not included in the tour package.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with our coaching service throughout the tour, providing seamless transportation to all the stunning garden locations outlined in the itinerary.Accommodation
Enjoy a comfortable stay at The Walnut Tree in Taunton, offering three nights' dinner, bed, and breakfast, ensuring a relaxing retreat after exploring Somerset's secret gardens.Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes three nights' dinner, bed, and breakfast at the Walnut Tree (or similar) in Taunton.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
Comfortable coaching is provided throughout the tour.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes dinner, bed, and breakfast at the accommodation.
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What is the first garden we visit on the tour?
The first garden visited on the tour is the privately-owned Watcombe garden.
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What can I expect to see at Iford Manor?
At Iford Manor, you can expect to see a romantic award-winning Italian garden designed by Harold Peto, featuring a formal garden on old terraces with classical statuary, architectural fragments, pools, fountains, loggias, colonnades, urns, and figures.
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What is special about the Walled Gardens of Cannington?
The Walled Gardens of Cannington feature classic and contemporary elements including a hot herbaceous border, a blue garden, a sub-tropical walk, a Victorian style fernery, and a botanical glasshouse with arid, sub-tropical, and tropical plants.
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What is the final activity of the tour?
The final activity of the tour is a visit to the Walled Gardens of Cannington, followed by a scenic drive through the Quantock Hills before returning to the original departure point.
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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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Saturday - Tuesday
Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 08, 2025Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit for future tours
Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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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.
England: Somerset’s Secret Gardens 5293
4 Days Starting and ending in London, United Kingdom
Visiting: Watcombe, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Taunton, Iford Manor, Quantock Hills, Walled Gardens of Cannington ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BSSG
Guide Type:
Fully Guided