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Study Holidays English Garden Tours Programmes EGT2

Chelsea

SISSINGHURST, KEW AND THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

Tuesday 22 May- Sunday 27 May 2012

During this London-based study tour participants have the opportunity to explore the influence of four essential elements on the development of the ‘English Garden’. The tour will demonstrate the connections between English landscape gardens (Chiswick House), the growth of interest in research and plant cultivation and conservation (Kew), the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and the iconic ‘English Cottage Garden” of Sissinghurst.

Day Period Activity
Tuesday 22/5  ARRIVALS
Afternoon Hotel check in, Russell Square area
Evening Welcome reception drinks followed by a walk though the Roman heart of London, the modern financial district (Bank of England, Lloyds etc.). Dinner at Williamson’s Tavern, a historic pub and original home of the Lord Mayor of London. The second part of the walk crosses the river via Norman Foster’s ‘wobbly bridge’ to Tate Modern and includes the Globe Theatre, The Anchor pub, Golden Hinde and Southwark Cathedral. It returns via London Bridge with magnificent views of the Tower Bridge and the City.
Wednesday 23/5 ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW
Morning

Programme briefing and preparation for visit to Kew Gardens.
Kew is home to living specimens of one eighth of all plant species known to man. It is an international research centre, a royal pleasure garden full of glass houses, temples and monuments and offers eleven different climate zones under glass. Group tour of the magnificent Palm House and the heart of the historic garden
Afternoon Free time for independent exploration of the world's most famous botanical garden and Kew Palace. The Kew Explorer land train departs from the Victoria Gate every hour. The adventurous should not miss the tree top walk.
Evening Dinner with Jazz at St Martin-in-the-Fields Crypt Café, Trafalgar Square.
Thursday 24/5 RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Morning Independent travel to Chelsea Flower Show with specially prepared handouts to help you have the best possible day. An early departure is recommended as the show gets very busy in the afternoons. Other attractions in this part of London include Tate Britain, Kings Road, Harrods, the V&A and Natural History Museums. Look out for the new Chelsea Fringe everywhere!
Evening Meet at the delightful Chelsea Physic Garden, founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries.
Dinner Tangerine Dream Café, Chelsea Physic Garden.
Friday 25/5 CHISWICK HOUSE AND TEMPLE GARDENS
Morning Depart by train to Chiswick House, the birthplace of the English Landscape Garden.
Afternoon After lunch at the intriguing Garden Museum (special exhibition to be announced, visit to the Inner Temple Gardens, an oasis in the courtyards of legal London and the inspirational setting for the first RHS spring garden show over 100 years ago.
Guided tour with Andrea Brunsendorf, Head Gardener.
Evening Free. Optional visit to the Shakespeare Globe Theatre for an African Winter’s Tale.
Saturday 26/5 SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN
Day Sissinghurst Castle Garden celebrates the gardening ‘marriage’ of Sir Harold Nicolson and his poet wife Vita Sackville-West.  In a setting of unique and timeless charm its rich heritage of horticultural excellence is a treasure chest of floral delights.
Evening Farewell dinner Regents Park
Sunday 27/5  FAREWELLS

Manchester Language School reserves the right to change the programme according to the availability of the gardens, personnel and venues listed and substitute appropriate alternatives.