Gardens of Cornwall

Tresco Abbey Gardens The south-west corner of England enjoys a more temperate climate than the remainder of the country. Here, the warm Gulf Stream washes the coast and the soft undulations of the hills and high hedgerows shield gardens from the ravages of the worst weather.

It’s not surprising, therefore, to find a concentration of England’s finest gardens all gathered here, although first time visitors do gasp at the profusion of species, even finding palm trees totally unexpected!

Historically, Cornish landed gentry has spent minor fortunes on developing their gardens, employing the services of some of the great late Georgian and Victorian gardeners. But equally, both private individuals and the local municipal authorities have invested time, energy and not a little money in helping make the region perhaps the most colourfully impressive of any in the UK.

Our tour features a diverse selection of the best, large and small, public and private. And a very special feature of our week is a trip to the Isles of Scilly, one of the more remote Channel Islands.

Whether it’s the fresh, flush of spring, the blaze of high summer or Fall colours you seek, the gardens of Cornwall are sure to delight.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY	NIGHTSTOP
Day One
You’re met on arrival by a Back-Roads Touring Co. representative and transferred to our London hotel base. We have a leisurely first day to help you overcome the rigours of overseas travel and we’ll spend this afternoon at nearby Syon House, getting acquainted with your guide and with fellow tour participants. This evening we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at a riverside pub.	London dinner inc.
Day Two
We depart London, driving south-west towards Devon, we’ll be able to enjoy some sightseeing en route. Following lunch, we’ll find our first garden to visit. This will probably be Montacute House but, at time of publishing, opening times for 2004 are not yet available. Whatever, we’ll certainly be seeing some less formal, private gardens and doing what all Britons do on a Sunday, visit a garden centre!	Dartmoor Devon
Day Three
Our first two Cornish gardens are Cotehele, near the Pilgrim Father’s city of Plymouth, and Catchfrench Manor Garden. Cotehele is a large mature garden sitting in a sheltered valley. Unusual shrubs, azaleas and rhododendrons, and a small terraced garden make this an interesting first stop. Our second garden is something of a contrast; Catchfrench Manor is a historic Repton landscape (1792) with an Elizabethan courtyard. Hopefully, there’ll also be time to visit Drake’s Plymouth.	Falmouth/ Cornwall
Day Four
The Isles of Scilly are today’s feature. This lovely group of five small islands (housing a population of just 2000) offer historical interest (an Elizabethan fort, museum and Wesleyan Chapel), rugged coastal scenery, and the famed abbey gardens at Tresco.	Falmouth/ Cornwall
Day Five
We’ve another splendid day in store with visits to up to three internationally renowned garden projects - The Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and, if time, Trewithian. This last one is, of course, widely known and respected for its magnolias, camellias and rare trees and shrubs. The Helligan Gardens represent Europe’s largest restoration project with over 80 acres of award winning landscape (and a super walled garden of exotic fruit and 22 acre ‘jungle’). Perhaps the most remarkable, however, is The Eden Project. This absolutely incredible, futuristic �75 million development, is situated in an old disused quarry. Its aim is to demonstrate as many aspects of the world’s bio-diversity as is possible, in the correct ecological context. The actual site looks like a moon settlement with its massive glass pods. This will undoubtedly become one of the world’s new marvels.	Falmouth/ Cornwall
Day Six
Today, we’ll concentrate on gardens situated around the harbour of Falmouth. Some, like Trelissick, are certain inclusions, but there are a wide variety of others to choose from and your guide will take ‘soundings’ from tour participants as to what others we should include. We’ll also be able to mould the day to weather conditions or be able to suggest gardens that are more attractive at one time of the year above another. Your choice will include several private gardens in addition to the better-known Penjerrick, Lamorran House Gardens and Glendurgan.	Falmouth/ Cornwall
Day Seven
We begin our journey back east. We’ve two lovely gardens en route today, in addition to some fabulous Cornwall and Devon scenery. Did we mention, by the way, that we’ll always be travelling though the back-lanes and high hedgerows of Cornwall? Or that we’ll be dropping into quaint ports? Or that we’ll be including a few shopping opportunities? Or that a Devon cream tea, Cornish pastie and scrumptious local food will be a feature of the tour? The gardens at Lanydrock will be first on the itinerary. Then we make our way across Dartmoor seeing wild flora before making our second major visit of the day at Knightshayes Court.	Chard/ Somerset
Day Eight
We’ve kept an ace up our sleeve for the last day, the wonderful Wilton House, a stately home not only having a truly memorable garden but an interior of great beauty and wealth. Our final visit before returning to London will be at the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens at Wisley.	London dinner not inc.
Day Nine
Alas time to return home. However, you may wish to extend your stay or take one of our mini-tours