Gardens of England

with the Chelsea Flower Show

May 13 - 20, 2026

This tour gives you exclusive access to the quintessential gardens of the Cotswolds and southern England. Enjoy an Early Bird tour at Sissinghurst, an after hours visit to Hidcote, and a private tour to Highgrove, the garden of King Charles. Plus attend the Chelsea Flower Show on the first Members Only preview day.

DETAILS

Double Occupancy (2 people in 1 room): $8,500 per person

Single Occupancy (1 person in 1 room): $10,900 per person

Dates: Tour begins the morning of May 13th. Arrive in London at least the day before. Depart anytime on May 20th.

Length: 7 nights

Group Size: Maximum 15

Tour Themes: Gardens. Historic Interiors.

To Sign Up, please fill out the following form or contact laura@wingbacktravel.com. A deposit of $2,000 per person and a signed Terms & Conditions are both required to secure your place. Your spot is not reserved until these are received.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • EXCLUSIVE ACCESS

    Enjoy exclusive, out-of-hours tours at Sissinghurst and Hidcote. Visit two privately-owned estates and enjoy private tours at Highgrove and Sezincote.

  • MICHELIN LUNCH

    Enjoy a private lunch with ingredients sourced from the garden at Gravetye Manor, the former home of gardener William Robinson.

  • THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

    Visit the Chelsea Flower Show on the first Member Preview Day, when the flowers are still fresh! Enjoy world class shopping and floral displays by the greatest gardeners of our time.

ITINERARY

Wednesday, May 13

  • Meet at London-Heathrow airport this morning. Before settling into our hotel, we will visit Rousham House & Garden, the oldest garden on our tour. Completed in the 18th century, the garden was completed by William Kent, whose ponds and temples remain in place today. Afterwards, enjoy a private visit to the interior of the historic house.

Thursday, May 14

  • Visit to Sezincote this morning, inspired by the architecture of Mughal India. Head gardener (and charmer) Greg will lead us through the gardens before a private tour of the John Fowler-designed interiors.

  • After lunch in a charming Cotswold village, experience a special private after hours tour to Hidcote (pictured), often described as one of the greatest gardens of the 20th century. This quintessential cottage garden pioneered the concept of rooms furnished with plants.

Friday, May 15

  • In the morning, visit the privately-owned Rodmarton Manor. The garden, with its topiaries and hedges, is considered a Cotswold classic and the house is one of the finest examples of the Arts & Crafts style. A descendant of the original owner will lead us through the house, followed by homemade cakes and a stroll through the garden.

  • In the afternoon, enjoy a private tour at Highgrove*, the garden of King Charles III. Charles purchased the estate in 1980 and the gardens are now considered some of the most inspiring and innovative in England. *Subject to confirmation in 2026.

Saturday, May 16

  • En route to our next hotel, visit Munstead Wood*, Gertrude Jekyll’s home and garden. Jekyll is one of the world’s most influential gardeners, famed for her colorful borders and Arts & Crafts planting style. *Subject to scheduled 2026 reopening.

Sunday, May 17

  • Enjoy an Early Bird private tour at Sissinghurst, the garden of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. With an architect’s eye, Harold laid out the gardens with symmetry and ingenuity. Vita filled them with plantings that are now world renown, including her old roses, the White Garden, and the Cottage Garden.

  • Afterwards enjoy a Sunday roast at a British pub, followed by a guided visit to Great Dixter. Great Dixter is famed for its long border and topiaries.

Monday, May 18

  • Spend the day at Gravetye Manor, the former home of William Robinson, a pioneer in natural garden design. Visit his garden then enjoy private lunch at its Michelin-star restaurant where ingredients are sourced from the garden. Transfer to London afterwards.

Tuesday, May 19

  • Enjoy exclusive Members Only Day access to the Chelsea Flower Show. The day is yours to shop, take in the floral displays, and, of course, people watch. Dinner together tonight.

Wednesday, May 20

  • Tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. You can depart anytime today (check out is 11am).

FAQs

  • This tour is perfect for garden lovers and those who enjoy visiting historic properties. Garden tours run regardless of weather, rain or shine, and travelers should be prepared to spend 1-2 hours at a time walking outdoors over uneven terrain and unpaved paths.

    Our days are busy - we are often out from 9 am until 4-5pm. You have free time most evenings after we return (our guests typically enjoy an evening drink together!).

    • 7 nights accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels.

    • Two full-time expert guides: Laura, an art historian, and Ross, an antiques expert

    • Private transportation by minibus in the countryside.

    • All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

    • Admission and private guide fees at all included sites.

    • Members Day Only tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show

    • Private lunch at Michelin-star restaurant

    • Private out of hours tours at Hidcote and Sissinghurst gardens.

    • Exclusive access and/or private tours to several other gardens, including Highgrove.

    • Airfare

    • Travel Insurance. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance.

    • Any meals or activities not listed on the itinerary.

    • A tip to our driver

    • UK ETA

    • Fly in and out of London-Heathrow airport (LHR).

    • The tour begins at 10am on May 13th. You should arrive in London the night before. Many travelers prefer to spend several nights in London before the tour begins.

    • You can depart anytime on May 20th.

    • One suitcase! Each traveler is permitted one suitcase measuring no more than 26 × 18 × 12 inches.

  • This is a moderately active tour. Garden tours are 1-1.5 hours long. Laura and Ross are not ones to break a sweat, but you should be comfortable walking 10,000 steps (2-3 miles) a day over uneven surfaces and all types of terrain. Travelers should also be comfortable walking up and down steps.

    If you have mobility concerns, please speak with us before booking.

  • Effective January 8, 2025 all US passport holders require pre-approval to visit the United Kingdom. Instructions on the process can be found here on our website. The fee is currently 10 GBP. Laura and Ross are available should you require help completing the process.

    Your UK ETA is valid for two years. If you are already traveling to the UK prior to this trip, you may not need to apply again.