This tour is perfect for independent travellers who want to discover great stately homes, traditional English market towns and villages and to meet the locals either in classic country pubs or when they’re being nosey parkers as they visit privately owned properties that open rarely to the general public as part of the National Garden Scheme (NGS). Timed to include a day at the Chelsea Flower Show (late May). the RHS Rose Show (June), the Hampton Court Flower Show (early July) or the RHS Wisley Show (early September), highlights include:
- Waterperry Garden, formerly a Schooll of Horticulture for Ladies
- The Oxford University Botanical Garden, the oldest in the country dating back to 1621
- Blenheim Palace, Capability Brown’s showpiece garden
- The early English landscape at Rousham House
- A pub lunch, visit to village gardens opening as part of the NGS with tea and cakes at one of the privately owned properties
