Based on two sharing in a twin/double room with a minimum of 20 members travelling.

Our Tour

• What’s included
  • Executive coach travel throughout 3 nights half board accommodation 4 lunches
  • Tour of the Henry Moore Studios & Garden Admission to St Pauls Walden Bury (Garden only)
  • Tour of Alswick Hall Garden
  • Admission to Benington Lordship Gardens
  • with tea/coffee & biscuits
  • Admission to Church Gardens, Harefield
  • Admission to the Manor House Gardens, Carrington Estate
  • Tour of Hatfield House & Garden
• Extras
  • Single supplement – £90 per person (twin /double for sole use)
  • Private visit to The Garden House Cottered
  • Gratuities

Day 1 – We leave Leicester and travel by coach to the Henry Moore Foundation, to visit the former home, studio and iconic sculpture gardens. Moore’s artistic output encompasses sculptures, drawings, tapestries, textiles and graphic works produced over a long, varied and hugely productive career and this is where he produced some of his most iconic work. Next we travel to the garden at St Pauls Walden Bury, the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. This Grade 1 listed garden was laid out in the early 18th century and retains the original concept of a formal woodland garden, with temples, statues and ponds. The formal garden was influenced by French 17th century architects, such as Le Notre, and is based on the classic patte d’oie (goose foot) design, in which avenues radiate from a focal point. Following our visit, we arrive at our hotel with time to relax before dinner. Dinner is included at the hotel each evening.

Day 2 Today we visit Alswick Hall Gardens, constructed in the early 18th century by the Houblon family with the aim of creating the appearance of a Georgian gentleman’s residence. The central water feature and terraces were carefully built in the 1940s, utilising the natural slope of the land with shallow steps leading down to the lily pond. We also visit Benington Lordship Gardens, located on an ancient fortified site which has been occupied since Saxon times. The gardens were initially laid out in the early 20th-century and surround the manor house, the core of which was built around 1700.

Day 3 – We start our day with a visit to Church Gardens, Harefield, a family run restoration project. There are three acres of historic walled gardens, once almost derelict but now transformed into an inspiring, innovative and sustainably productive garden. We also visit the Manor House Gardens, Carrington Estate, an atypically beautiful garden which has been the home of the Carringtons for many generations. Here we visit the walled kitchen garden, water garden, parterres and see the amazing sculptures. We also hope to incorporate a visit to The Garden House at Cottered, however they are unable to confirm until nearer the time and therefore this will incur an additional cost.

Day 4 – This will be our last day when we will visit one of the most important houses and gardens in the country: Hatfield House, home of the Cecil family from the 16th century to the present day. The gardens here cover 40 acres and date from the early 17th century, when Robert Cecil employed John Tradescant the Elder to collect plants from the Old and New Worlds for his new home. Totally new species of trees, bulbs, plants and fruit trees which had never previously been grown in this country were introduced. The house is of particular interest and contains a fine collection of paintings, particularly of Elizabeth 1. We plan to take guided tours of both the house and garden and enjoy a light lunch here before returning to Leicester.

The exact order of excursions is subject to change.

Our Hotel

Our base for this tour is Shendish Manor, set in 160 acres of parkland and formal gardens near Hemel Hempstead. Bedrooms, located in the modern wing, are en-suite, spacious and equipped with television, tea/coffee making facilities, and free WiFi. The hotel has a light and airy restaurant, bar and outdoor terrace.

How to book

Book online (info below) or contact Elizabeth Bacon for a booking form 51 Elms Road, Leicester, LE2 3JD T: 0116 2705711 | E: bacon605@btinternet.com

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Parking at Leicester Bowling Club to be confirmed.