Visiting gardens on the outward and return journeys, we will be based in Cornwall at the 3-star Alverton Manor Hotel in Truro. Whilst visiting two large traditional estate gardens, the focus will be on smaller lesser-known gardens within easy reach of Truro on the balmy South Cornish Coast where the season is normally two weeks ahead of ours in the South Midlands. Whereas most of the gardens will be at their most colourful later in the year, a visit early in the season will provide an opportunity to see a range of plants and flowers denied to us on previous garden tours.
The itinerary includes visits to The Garden House at Buckland Monachorum near Tavistock, Trevena Cross Nursery near Helston, specializing in exotics and including a guided tour, Trevarno Estate with its delightful “National Museum of Gardening”, Lamorran House, St. Mawes, Poppy Cottage on the Roseland Peninsula, Caerhays Castle, and Bosvigo House, Truro. On the return journey we stop at Plant World, Newton Abbott, a “World Garden”and nursery, finally visiting magical and atmospheric Cothay Manor tucked away in the back lanes of Somerset.
There will be time to wander round the lovely cathedral town of Truro as well as picturesque St. Mawes which will be reached by ferry from Falmouth, weather permitting!
This is a part of Cornwall to which Judy and I have a strong and long-standing attachment. All the gardens except one are already known to us. In booking you should be aware that the tour involves quite a lot of walking and that some of the gardens are steep.
A block booking has been made at the Alverton Manor but the hotel has been unable to offer us the ideal mix of room types or flexibility we require. Consequently, couples will be asked to accept double rooms leaving the limited number of twin rooms for those sharing with friends. There are also only a limited number of singles. Anyone whose requirements cannot be met will be offered accommodation at a recommended guesthouse directly opposite, joining the main party for the day’s visits and evening meal. They will receive a reduction in the overall cost.
Price to include accommodation, breakfast and evening meal, travel (incl. ferry crossing), all garden entries, refreshments at Poppy Cottage and Bosvigo plus a light lunch at Plant World as well as gratuities, however excluding travel insurance: