Exclusive for Mail on Sunday readers: Visit the Cotswolds’ finest gardens with Christine Walkden 

Exclusive for Mail on Sunday readers: Visit the Cotswolds’ finest gardens with Christine Walkden


For a taste of quintessential England, look no further than the honey-coloured villages and bustling market towns of the Cotswolds, which are home to some of the finest country houses in the UK.

On this exclusive four-day tour you will have the chance to discover the gardens of some of those houses for yourself and meet Christine Walkden, The One Show’s popular resident gardening expert. 

Christine will join you for a visit to the famous Arts and Crafts garden at Hidcote Manor, before giving a private talk and answering your gardening questions in a special Q&A.

Royal approval: Pictured is the exotic Carpet Garden at Prince Charles’s Highgrove House

Enjoy a visit to the famous Arts and Crafts garden at Hidcote Manor (pictured)

Enjoy a visit to the famous Arts and Crafts garden at Hidcote Manor (pictured) 

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Meet Christine Walkden (pictured), The One Show’s popular resident gardening expert

Meet Christine Walkden (pictured), The One Show’s popular resident gardening expert 

Christine Walkden started her horticultural career as a ten year-old when she grew flowers and vegetables on her allotment to sell to teachers and neighbours. During her career, she worked at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew before going on to present Gardeners’ World, Christine’s Garden, The Great British Garden Revival and the Royal Television Society Award-winning Glorious Gardens From Above. She is a panel member on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time.

You will also be able to explore the historic estate of Highgrove House, Prince Charles’s country home; Rodmarton Manor and its eight-acre garden; the Knot Garden at Cerney House; the spectacular Broughton Grange; Sezincote’s ‘Hindu’ garden, inspired by Humphry Repton; and Batsford Arboretum.

It’s the perfect UK break for anyone who loves gardening.

REASONS TO BOOK

Meet Christine Walkden: Knowledgeable and engaging, Christine is the perfect special guest to join you on this superb tour. She will give a private talk about her career as a broadcaster, author and horticulturist. You will also have the chance to ask her your own questions in a Q&A.

Explore Hidcote House: Christine will also join you for a tour of the delightful and intricately designed Art and Crafts-inspired gardens at Hidcote House.

Tour Highgrove House*: Since buying Highgrove in 1980, Prince Charles has redeveloped the garden, taking on a new project each year. With the help of his friend Lady Salisbury, he has surrounded the house with scented wisteria, honeysuckle, jasmine and thyme, as well as creating an experimental wildflower meadow of some 32 varieties of endangered native plants.

Wonderful gardens: You will also explore Broughton Grange, with gardens designed by multiple Chelsea Flower Show gold medal-winner Tom Stuart-Smith; and Rodmarton Manor’s ‘outdoor rooms’, each with their own individual character.

Beautiful setting: You will be staying throughout at the delightful four-star Oxford Witney Hotel, just a short walk from Witney’s centre. Relax in the elegant bedrooms, take a dip in the pool or unwind in the spa. 

WHAT’S INCLUDED 

  • Three nights’ accommodation at the Oxford Witney Hotel.
  • Exclusive talk and Q&A and tour of Hidcote Manor with Christine Walkden.
  • Tour of Highgrove House*.
  • Three breakfasts and three dinners.
  • Excursions to Rodmarton Manor, Hidcote Manor, Sezincote, Broughton Grange, Cerney and Batsford Arboretum.

YOUR ITINERARY: 

DAY 1 – Cerney House. 

DAY 2 – Highgrove House*, Rodmarton Manor. 

DAY 3 – Hidcote Manor with Christine Walkden, Broughton Grange. 

DAY 4 – Batsford Arboretum, Sezincote; return to pick-up point.

HOW TO BOOK

The dates: June 7 to 10, 2022. The price: From £895pp**.

Call 01334 440 115, quoting MOS Christine Walkden. To find out more, visit mailtravel.co.uk/ChristineWalkden.

Terms and conditions: * Subject to successful application.** Price based on two sharing. Single supplement: £195. Subject to availability. Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and at the tour manager’s discretion. This offer is exclusive to Mail Travel and selected media partners. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Brightwater Holidays, who are ABTOT-protected. For full terms and conditions, go to mailtravel.co.uk/christinewalkden.

 

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