Our Exquisite English Gardens and Stately Homes Itinerary
Your garden odyssey begins on your first journey to the cottage upon collection. Enjoy as Nathan carefully drives you through the English countryside in our luxury vehicle, watch as manicured hedgerows and cottage gardens create a living tapestry outside your window.
This itinerary is specially designed for lovers of gardens, landscapes, and horticultural heritage. Each excursion highlights the finest examples of England’s historic estates, from meticulously maintained formal gardens to sweeping parklands and hidden horticultural gems. Along the way, you’ll also experience the charm of the English Cottage Vacation gardens, where seasonal flowers, traditional plantings, and thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces showcase the quintessential beauty of the English countryside.
Whether you are an avid gardener, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who delights in plants and landscapes, this journey offers inspiration, education, and an immersive exploration of England’s garden and heritage traditions.
While the itinerary is set, it also includes all of the luxury attributes and services that all of our all inclusive, luxury experiences are renowned for, such as our outstanding 24 hour VIP service, a full spectrum of deliciously tailored food and drinks, quintessential cottage accommodation, personal driver, luxury vehicle, all for one set price.
This itinerary is best experienced in the months May through to September.
“The perfect introduction to horticultural heaven.”
Day 1 – Arrival Day
Your garden odyssey begins with Nathan’s warm greeting at London—whether at Heathrow Airport or your chosen luxury London hotel, as per your preference. As you’re transported through the English countryside in our luxury vehicle with home made refreshments, watch as manicured hedgerows and cottage gardens create a living tapestry outside your window.
Laura awaits at Well Cottage with either your first sumptuous lunch or delicate afternoon canapés, served overlooking our own enchanting English garden. Spend your relaxing afternoon unpacking, settling into pure countryside bliss, and perhaps taking a short walk through our grounds where roses climb ancient walls and lavender scents the evening air.
“The perfect introduction to eight days of horticultural heaven.”
Day 2 – Hidden Dorset Garden Treasures
Journey through Dorset’s most picturesque countryside, heading southwest away from the majority of other tourists toward the stunning Mapperton House & Gardens—often called England’s finest manor house garden. These terraced Italianate gardens cascade down a hidden valley in breathtaking splendour. Enjoy a delicious and decadent picnic lunch surrounded by topiary, fountains, and centuries-old plantings in this extraordinary setting.
Your afternoon continues as we head back toward the cottage, stopping at Athelhampton House & Gardens on the way, where medieval charm meets horticultural perfection in one of England’s finest examples of a 15th-century manor garden.
Garden Highlight: Mapperton’s famous topiary garden and the romance of Athelhampton’s Great Court
Day 3 – Stourhead’s Landscape Masterpiece
Your next stop will be the legendary Stourhead House & Gardens, arguably England’s most famous landscape garden. This 18th-century masterpiece was designed as a living work of art around the serpentine lake, with classical temples, grottos, and rare trees creating picture-perfect vistas at every turn. This nice relaxing excursion allows you to enjoy this famous landscape garden designed around the lake at your own pace. You can also visit the main house, and a picnic lunch can be enjoyed in these sublime grounds before heading back to the cottage.
On the way home, we can visit the charming market town of Shaftesbury with its famous Gold Hill, or discover a hidden gem through an open garden on the National Garden Scheme.
Must-See: The Pantheon reflected in the lake—one of England’s most photographed garden scenes
Day 4 – Well Cottage Garden Sanctuary
A relaxing day to truly enjoy the cottage, including our very own beautiful English garden and the peaceful local area. You can take advantage of your complimentary in-house spa treatment if you wish—the perfect way to rejuvenate surrounded by garden tranquility. Savour a freshly made lunch overlooking our garden while listening to the birds sing, then head out for a countryside walk over local fields on the extensive ‘public footpath’ network, or visit a local garden opening through the National Garden Scheme. These private gardens showcase the passion and artistry of England’s dedicated amateur gardeners.
Perfect for: Experiencing the gentle rhythm of English country garden life in complete luxury
Day 5 – Literary Gardens & Coastal Botanical Wonders
A trip toward the stunning Jurassic Coast begins with our first stop at Thomas Hardy’s birthplace cottage, where the famous author’s childhood garden still blooms much as it did in Victorian times, offering intimate insight into the literary inspiration drawn from English gardens. Then head to the coast to visit the spectacular Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, where 20 acres of rare and tender plants thrive in this unique microclimate just miles from the sea. We will then drive the breathtaking Jurassic Coast scenic route toward the cottage, driving past the renowned Minterne Gardens on the way—if we have the time and energy, we can stop for a visit to these Himalayan-style gardens nestled in a magical Dorset valley.
Unique Feature: Abbotsbury’s extraordinary camellias, magnolias, and tree ferns flourishing in England’s mildest coastal climate
Day 6 – Aristocratic Elegance & Capability Brown Genius
If you are Downton Abbey fans, we can look to secure tickets for you to visit the real Highclere Castle and gardens—the ultimate English aristocratic garden experience. If you are not Downton Abbey enthusiasts, then we will visit the enchanting village of Lacock, which features a 1000-year-old abbey and stately home set amongst beautiful historic gardens that have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. We then head up to the magnificent Bowood House & Gardens to visit these spectacular ‘Capability Brown’ designed grounds, showcasing the genius of England’s most famous landscape architect with rolling parkland, serpentine lakes, and the famous rhododendron walks.
Historical Connection: Walk through gardens that have welcomed royalty and inspired Jane Austen
Day 7 – Exclusive Members-Only Garden Paradise
We are pleased to offer you our exciting new discovery—The Newt in Somerset, an exclusive ‘members only’ beautiful estate that represents the pinnacle of contemporary English gardening. Explore their world-renowned walled and kitchen gardens amongst the vast, carefully designed grounds. Experience the fascinating fully renovated and reimagined Roman Villa built next to original archaeological remains, discover the innovative Beezantium (bee sanctuary), and immerse yourself in their comprehensive Garden Experience—this is cutting-edge horticulture meeting ancient English heritage in the most exclusive setting imaginable.
Exclusive Access: Few visitors ever experience this members-only horticultural wonderland
Day 8 – Fond Farewells & Forever Memories
Unfortunately, your stay with us at Well Cottage is coming to an end, and it is your last breakfast with us — but don’t worry, Laura will ensure you are leaving well fed with her signature farewell feast featuring the finest local ingredients, perhaps including herbs and edible flowers from our own garden. Nathan will ensure he delivers you to your final destination in good time, whether that’s London Heathrow, your London hotel, or onward travel arrangements. We will wish you a safe onward trip and hope to see you again in the future, carrying forever the peaceful memories and garden inspiration from your English countryside paradise.
This exclusive experience offers limited availability for the ultimate English garden journey. Your week-long adventure through England’s most exquisite gardens, combined with luxury cottage accommodation and unparalleled personal service, creates memories that will inspire your own garden dreams for years to come.
