Romantic Gardens of Kent, Sussex and Surrey - three or six days

Temple at Pashley Manor Gardens, Kent
Photo: David Bowie

F L O R A Garden Tours visits Sissinghurst, Hever Castle, Nymans, Great Dixter and Pashley Manor.

Between London and the South coast is rolling chalk downland and the fertile clay of the ‘Weald’, where some of the most romantic gardens in the world have been created. Several have graced the homes of famous people like Vita Sackville-West’s Sissinghurst, Anne Boleyn’s Hever Castle and Churchill's Chartwell. Others, such as Nymans and Great Dixter, are the creation of famous gardeners. We also visit the award winning garden at Pashley Manor. The tours visit a selection of these and many other great and small gardens; Scotney Castle, Claremont — with the earliest original eighteenth century landscaped garden; Polesdon Lacy — an artist's garden set in ravishing scenery; and, of course, Wisley, the home of the Royal Horticultural Society.

This tour starts and finishes at the Swan Hotel in the historic Pantiles of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Read a F L O R A tourer's comments on a Romantic Gardens Tour

My husband and I knew we would enjoy our visit to England’s great gardens, but you, Barbara, and your tour exceeded our highest expectations.

Because of your enthusiasm, your knowledge of plants and English history, and your kindness, we could not have asked for a more perfect guide for all those beautiful gardens we visited. I think the fact that our four-year-old daughter had as much fun as we did is a TRUE testimonial to your success.

My only wish is that we can join you for other Flora garden tours in the near future!

- Kim Schauer

Read a F L O R A traveller's diary of a Romantic Gardens tour.