England: Spring Gardens of Cornwall 731

England: Spring Gardens of Cornwall 731

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4 Days From

$1045

England: Spring Gardens of Cornwall 731

4 Days Starting in Knightshayes Court, Tiverton EX16 7RG, UK and ending in Killerton, Exeter EX5 3LB, UK

Visiting: Newquay, Knightshayes Court, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Eden Project, National Trust - Glendurgan Garden, Trebah, Killerton

Tour operator:

Brightwater Holidays

Tour code:

BSGC

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

6 - 25

Physical rating:

Light

Age range:

1-99

Special diets catered:

Vegans, Meat, Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English
From: $1045

NB: Prices correct on 18-Oct-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Cornwall’s gardens are renowned the world over and our tour includes visits to some of the finest in the county. Spring comes early here, as trees, shrubs and bulbs bring life and colour back to the gardens.


The near neighbours of Trebah and Glendurgan illustrate this perfectly, with the great Asiatic shrubs of rhododendron, magnolia and camellia all featuring, rich with blossom. The award-winning Lost Gardens of Heligan continue to fascinate, while over at the Eden Project things have come a long way since that disused chalk pit was transformed into a futuristic microcosm of botanical diversity. If you haven’t been for a while it’s time to revisit; if you’ve never been before you’re in for a treat! Our tour is bookended with visits to two top-class National Trust properties at Knightshayes Court and Killerton, where historic houses provide add an extra dimension to your garden visits.


Highlights

  • Gothic Revival style at Knightshayes Court

  • Masses of rhododendrons in full flower

  • The continually evolving marvel that is the Eden Project

  • Negotiating the hedge maze at Glendurgan

  • Seaside hotel in Newquay

Places You'll See

England: Spring Gardens Of Cornwall 731

England: Spring Gardens Of Cornwall 731

England: Spring Gardens Of Cornwall 731

England: Spring Gardens Of Cornwall 731

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Knightshayes Court

Location: Newquay, Knightshayes Court

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Pentire Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

We depart from our pick-up points by coach and travel to Knightshayes Court - one of the finest examples anywhere of the Gothic Revival country house.  The extraordinary “medieval romantic” interiors give an atmospheric insight into grand country living and the celebrated garden features a water lily pool, topiary, specimen trees, rare shrubs, seasonal colour and an impressive Victorian kitchen garden which supplies fresh, organic fruit and vegetables to the property’s restaurant.  Lunch is available here (not included).
We continue to our comfortable accommodation at the Pentire Hotel, a stone’s throw from Fistral Beach and stunning coastal views across the Atlantic.

Day 2 : Eden Project

Location: The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Eden Project

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Pentire Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast we travel to St Austell for a visit to the Eden Project, which since its opening in 2001 become one of Cornwall’s star attractions. The Eden Project is a 50 metre deep, 34 acre china clay pit which was reclaimed and transformed to house two controlled-environment plant conservatories, the larger of which recreates the climate of the Tropics and displays some of its plants such as cotton, rice, rubber, orchids, bamboo and rainforest flowers.  At its highest point it reaches 50 metres, taller than Nelson’s Column.
Our next visit will be to the Lost Gardens of Heligan.  The award winning gardens, asleep for more than seventy years, are the scene of the largest garden restoration project in Europe.  In the spring of 1991, the Gardens of Heligan lay under a blanket of bramble, ivy, rampant laurel and fallen timber.  A year later the restoration team opened the gardens to enable the public to share in the excitement of their discovery. This time of year sees the reawakening of Heligan’s fabulous collection of historic shrubs, including their National Collection of camellias and rhododendrons.

Day 3 : Trebah & Glendurgan

Location: National Trust - Glendurgan Garden, Trebah

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Pentire Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Following breakfast we depart for a visit to Trebah, a wild and colourful Cornish garden with something for everyone. The garden was laid out originally in the 1840s and flourished to become one of England's great gardens by the 1930s.  After the death of the then owner, the garden was sadly neglected for many years until it was taken over by the Hibbert family, who still run it today. Wander down the "Zig-Zag", a slope where a rare collection of exotic Mediterranean plants was recently planted. We will also see Rhododendron Valley, a huge amphitheatre of sixty foot high rhododendrons, many of which were imported as seed in the 1890s. It was here that rare Chinese palm trees, giant ferns and a host of other exotic plants were discovered a few years ago when some of the rhododendrons were cut back. 
We then continue to Glendurgan, a place of great beauty and tranquillity. Three valleys converge and drop towards the sparkling waters of the Helford River and the hamlet and beach at Durgan. The garden has many fine trees, rare and exotic plants from the four corners of the globe, and at this time of year outstanding spring displays of magnolias and camellias. Look out too for the hedge maze, originally built by the owners in the 1830s to entertain their 12 children.

Day 4 : Killerton

Location: Killerton

Meals Included: Breakfast

After your full English breakfast we head for home. En-route we will call in at the house and gardens of Killerton.  The house displays a magnificent collection of 18th- 20th century costumes in period rooms (originally known as the Paulise de Bush collection).  The estate is set on a steep wooded hillside with the remains of an Iron Age Hill fort on top of it.  Countless trees and shrubs thrive in the gardens including rhododendrons and magnolias which should be coming into full bloom. A masterly rock garden in an old quarry sparkles among mossy rocks under a canopy of old camellias and maples.

What's Included

  • • Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the comfortable Pentire Hotel, Newquay

  • • Comfortable coaching throughout

  • • All visits as outlined

  • • Services of a Brightwater Holidays tour manager

What's Not Included

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Do you have self-drive holidays?

    Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!

  • 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.

  • 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 .

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Reviews of this operator

Trusted Customer  

Brightwater Holidays offers great value

28-Nov-2019

I would highly recommend Brightwater Holidays. It offers excellent service and value for money. This was my first tour as I normally arrange holidays myself, but this tour - which was to the gardens of Kent and Sussex - was a very pleasant change of pace.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Brightwater Holidays Customer  

My experience with Brightwater Holidays

08-Aug-2019

The tour was well managed, the sites visited were all interesting and linked to the theme of the Picts and their place in history, the hotel was comfortable and the coach journeys were well paced. I have been with Brightwater before and will certainly travel with them again

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Alan Hawkes (Google Reviewer)  

We were on the Tour...

28-Aug-2022

We were on the Tour of the Outer Hebrides. We had a great experience, in no small part due to the excellence of the tour manager and driver.

Brightwater Holidays Custome  

Wonderful experience with brilliant information

31-Jul-2019

The most important factor was an amazing guide in Alastair Walker whose knowledge and care for clients was fantastic. The whole trips are superbly organised

Feefo Trusted Reviews
David MacLennan (Google Reviewer)  

Noted a comment on taking...

23-Aug-2023

Noted a comment on taking coaches on A814 by a local person who didn't know the facts: When the A82 was blocked and the POLICE divert you onto that road you do as instructed not what a you know are tight roads but they only way to your destination as intructed by officials. We know this route is not suitable for large vehicles but the driver does as instructed by someone in authority.

Eric Webb (Google Reviewer)  

Recent (September 2023) Scottish holiday...

07-Oct-2023

Recent (September 2023) Scottish holiday not so good. Various 'issues' to do with scheduling and organisation. I'm happy to report however that - after an interval - a letter expressing disappointment brought a full response - including a generous refund. So - with fingers slightly crossed - we'll be booking with Brightwater again in due course.

Kevin Barrett (Google Reviewer)  

The recent tour in Northumberland...

30-Sep-2023

The recent tour in Northumberland turned out to be a shambles. Our South London driver took us to Newcastle, but no guide to meet us. Next day still no guide and the bus driver attempted to salvage the tour the best he could despite having no knowledge of the attractions. Fortunately one of the passengers Googled the tides for Holy Island. No holiday guide ever showed up. Coach and hotel were fine. Do these people only offer self guided tours? Take Shearings next time.

ALEXANDRA MCQUEEN (Google Reviewer)  

Been trying to get a...

17-Oct-2023

Been trying to get a reply from them for over a week. Booked Xmas tour, confirmation said pick up subject to numbers, they never said anything when booking and theyve been paid in full. Would not recommend!

Dp Green (Google Reviewer)  

I had heard this company...

20-Feb-2024

I had heard this company was a nightmare to deal with, but thought I'd give it a go. Signed up for a tour, then emailed them about how to pay off the balance. No response to 3 emails. I've never encountered a tour company that ignored questions on how to pay off a balance. Looked into other reviews and found many complaints about cancelled tours and refusals to refund deposits.

Kieran Thompson (Google Reviewer)  

Two of your tour busses...

26-Jul-2021

Two of your tour busses used the A814 from Garelochhead to Arrochar on 24th July 2021. This route is not suitable for large vehicles and your drivers should not have taken the huge coaches that way. There are clear signs at both ends of the road indicating it is not suitable for HGV's. Our car had to go off into the soft verge to allow your coaches to pass. Please amend your routes to avoid this road in future.

1 Select your preferred date

Monday - Thursday

Mar 17, 2025 - Mar 20, 2025
$1045

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to 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.

  • 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.

  • 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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