Margo

Does anyone know of a tour company that does a tour, maybe of two weeks, or at least one week, that includes the National Trust properties and gardens in UK? Or Scotland? I would think that this tour might be somewhat localized, such as to Cornwall or Wales or the midlands. My friend and I have driven ourselves at least 15 times over the last few years to different areas of the UK and have visited many of these places but now we thought we might get a different prospective going with a organized group. I can find several garden tours that concentrate on the Kent/Devon area and since we have seen that most recently, we are interested in other areas. I especially liked Scotney, Sissinghurst, and Stourhead gardens.

Any suggestions? This would take place in May 2007 hopefully.

JudyC

I don't have experience with the company, but it might be interesting to check: www:kirkerholidays.com, they offer National Trust cultural break.

dsquared

Margo, that sounds great; can I come, too? ;-)

Try http://gardens.travelbritain.us/list...ravelproviders

Also, our own National Trust for Historic Preservation has tours that might be of interest: http://www.nationaltrust.org/study_tours/index.asp

Good luck!

ron

Take a look at HF Holidays special interest holidays, http://www.hfholidays.co.uk/specialinterests/index.asp

Click on Gardens for garden tours and Heritage for National Trust Houses. I have done a number of guided walking holidays with HF and am familiar with many of their locations and operations.

Margo

Thanks so much for the information. JudyC, I was not able to open the kirkerholidays site. And dsquared, the trips you mentioned leave from Stansted airport. Is there an easy/good way to get from Heathrow to Stansted?

Finally, ron, I loved your site for the walking holidays. It would take me a bit of doing to put together a two week trip (there are a couple of tours that are a week each) so my question is: where do these tours start? What is the mode of transportation to the various gardens and Stately homes?

ron

Margo, as you noted from the website, the HF Holidays garden tours are based at the country house hotels that are owned by HF. You have to make your own arrangements to get to your chosen location, although HF will provide detailed advice. It usually involves train to the nearest town and taxi or local bus to the house. HF will sell you the train tickets if you wish, and have arrangements with local taxi companies for shared rides to save money.

On the holidays themselves, they use chartered buses, usually smaller 20 passenger buses, since the group sizes are usually under 16 people.

If you are trying to put together a two week program, you may find it helpful to order their paper brochure. Easier, I think, than trying to do it on the website.

i have stayed at their houses at Coniston, Malhamdale, Whitby, Arran, Conwy, Brecon, Selworthy, Isle of Wight and Dovedale. If you have any specific questions about any of places,perhaps I can help.

SallyCanuck

Why don't you check garden clubs in your home city or area? Here in Toronto garden clubs or well-known garden writers/experts sometimes arrange overseas garden tours - I got an e-mail about one a week or so ago.