ITINERARY

Day 1: Monday 8th September
The tour starts at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Railway Station at 13.00 PM and Newcastle Airport at 13.30 PM. There are a number of trains & flights from London that morning but if you need any advice regarding your joining arrangements, do contact the Boxwood Office. Please make your own arrangements for lunch before the tour start. Near the airport is the award-winning Halls of Heddon where we visit the Dahlia and Chrysanthemum Nursery and fields. We have a special invitation to afternoon tea at Lady Blackett’s Garden before arriving at Matfen Hall Hotel in time to settle in before an evening meal together. This will be your base for the next 4 nights.

Day 2: Tuesday, 9th September
Today, a contrasting selection of exceptional gardens set in the rolling countryside near the hotel, starting with Herterton House Gardens where vibrant planting complements a structured design. A key feature of one of the prettiest villages in Northumberland is the charming country house of Whalton Manor designed by Edwin Lutyens, the walled garden by Gertrude Jekyll. A light lunch will be included on the beautiful terrace. This is then followed by a visit to Bide-a-wee, a remarkable small informal garden created in a disused sandstone quarry.

Day 3: Wednesday 10th September
Start the day with the atmospheric Chillingham Castle, home of Sir Humphrey Wakefield, Bt., family home of the Earls of Grey for 800 years. The visit will include the Elizabethan topiary garden. We continue northwards almost to the Scottish Borders to visit Mindrum Garden, a profusion of shrubs & flowers that tumble down the hillside away from the house to fast running waters below. Mrs Fairfax has kindly invited us to lunch before exploring her romantic, wild garden. Later, in the afternoon, we cross the causeway to Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle & Garden. The small walled garden originally planted by Gertrude Jekyll reflects back at the Romantic 16th century Castle, transformed into an Edwardian holiday home by Edwin Luytens.

Day 4: Thursday 11th September
A morning visit to the widely proclaimed Alnwick Castle Gardens, the inspiration of the Duchess of Northumberland and designed by Wirtz International. Time to explore the Grand Cascade, Poison Garden, Treehouse, and other ornamental gardens before free time for lunch. Return via Cragside, creation of the first Lord Armstrong, the great Victorian innovator and industrialist, who transformed a bare hillside into a riot of exotica.

Day 5: Friday 12th September
Chesters Walled Garden, set in the wild landscape of Hadrian’s Wall, is an important Herb Garden that holds The National Collections of Thyme & Marjoram. The next garden belongs to Heather Russell, Chairman of The Northumberland Hardy Plant Society: The Garden Cottage is a shining light to all passionate gardeners and plant lovers. A simple picnic lunch is included today before returning to the airport for 15.30 PM and to the railway station for 16.00 PM to link up with return travel flights and trains.

The tour price is £1195.00 per person and includes bed, breakfast & evening meals with wine at the Hotel, as well as 3 lunches.

There is a single supplement of £120.00 per person levied by the hotel.

Please note that the tour starts and finishes in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and that you must arrange your own transport to and from the rail station or airport starting points. Please do not hesitate to contact the Boxwood Office if you have any queries.