Cornwall Spring Garden Spectacular - Huron Tours
  • Cornwall Spring Garden Spectacular - Huron Tours
  • Brochure Request
  • Huron Tours Home Page
  • Book Now

Huron Tours presents:

Cornwall Spring Garden Spectacular
Cornwall, UK

April 8 - 18, 2018

"April in Cornwall heralds spring.  Great swaths of Cornwall’s woodlands are carpeted with millions of bluebells along with  camellias, magnolias and giant rhododendrons, all bursting into flower in an energetic and  amazing natural display."
Picture

 


Our 2017 Cornwall trip was a fabulous success! Huron Tours is pleased to announce our return to the magnificent Cornwall gardens in the Spring of 2018. An incredibly scenic adventure with pure Huron style.

Featuring:  Kensington Palace Gardens ~ The Eden Project ~ Bosvigo Garden ~  Trewithen Garden ~  St. Michael’s Mount ~  Trengwainton Garden ~ Trelissick Garden ~ Tregothnan Tea Plantation & Garden ~Glendurgan Garden ~ Trebah Garden ~ Caerhays Castle & Garden ~ Lost Gardens of Heligan ~  and more!

Please read on for all the details!
We have sold out for 2017 and are on wait-list only. Please consider joining us in 2018. Please see below for daily itinerary and pricing details. We are happy to send you a 2017 brochure to help with your 2018 planning - this will also put you on our 2018 mailing list.
Brochure Request

Cornwall 2017 has sold out. Please consider joining us in 2018. We will be happy to send you a 2017 brochure if requested, and this will put you on our 2018 mailing list.

2017 Cornwall Tour Itinerary

Saturday, April 1 ~ Flights to London

Travel to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on your favorite air carrier.

Please give us a call for airfare prices and schedules. (800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057

Your air carrier provides dinner and breakfast.

Sunday, April 2 ~ Kensington Palace, private welcome dinner

Arrive London and meet your Blue Badge Guide and Huron Tours & Travel tour managers who will be with you the entire tour.

Rest easy with your HTT arranged private transfer to your perfectly located, four-star hotel in London. As our rooms won't be ready for check-in, we'll enjoy a lovely visit to
Kensington Palace & Gardens, a royal residence for over 300 years and former home of Queen Victoria and Princess Diana. You will tour the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments as well as the beautiful Palace Gardens.

Early this evening we'll enjoy a
private welcome dinner reception together in our favorite neighborhood restaurant.
Dinner is included tonight.

Monday, April 3 ~ Train to Bosvigo Garden, Welcome Dinner Falmouth

After an early and hearty English breakfast at the hotel, we'll travel to gorgeous Cornwall via scenic train ride. Great Western Railway transports us from London Paddington to Truro traveling along the iconic part-coastal track built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the 1830s. No need to worry about your luggage, with Huron Tours your bags will be delivered straight to our beachfront hotel in Falmouth, Cornwall while you enjoy the beauty, comfort and ease of travel by train.

On arrival into Truro, we'll pay a very special visit to Bosvigo Garden, Wendy Perry's fine 3 acre gem. There are a series of walled gardens with good herbaceous plantings, intense colors in the hot garden, the hellebore collection in perfect bloom and the woodland copse alive with many bulbs. A Huron Tours visit to Bosvigo is extra special as we will be treated to a private tour of the house and to tea and homemade cakes. Tea is served in the historic kitchens which have been restored to their original Georgian glory. The perfect start to our spring garden tour!


"I would be delighted to host your group for a house tour, garden visit and tea in April 2017. My spring garden will be at it's best at that time!”

Best Wishes, Wendy Perry
Bosvigo Gardens

Picture
After our garden visit in Truro, it is a short drive to our home for the next 7 nights, Falmouth and The Greenbank Hotel.
The charming town of Falmouth is situated at the end of the River Fal and has been an important Maritime hub for more than 500 years. This is Cornwall's coolest town and one of England's leading cultural destinations. Its attractive old shops, numerous cafés, collection of interesting art galleries and central coastal location make it the perfect home base for our garden explorations.

Our accommodations, Falmouth's oldest and finest, is the
Four Star Greenbank Hotel. Nestled on Falmouth harbor, this gorgeous property blends the best of coastal Cornish living with the finest in contemporary comfort. All rooms are perfectly appointed with luxurious toiletries, hairdryer, complimentary coffee and tea, flat screen televisions, 24 hour room service and free wifi. The on-site dining options include the 2 AA Rosette award-winning Water's Edge Restaurant offering truly Modern British cuisine.

This evening we toast our arrival with a
private dinner reception at the hotel while enjoying panoramic harbor views. 
Breakfast, Tea and Dinner are included today.

Tuesday, April 4 ~ Lanhydrock, Eden Project

After a delightful breakfast at the hotel, we begin today's garden explorations at The National Trust's Lanhydrock House & Gardens,a magnificent late Victorian country house and beautiful spring garden. The fabulous formal parterre brings a real touch of grandeur and the blooming borders are filled with flowers and fragrant plants. A gorgeous magnolia arch by the thatched cottage, offers a beautiful gateway to exploring the higher levels of the garden. The magnificent 17th century house has many interesting rooms including a magnificent Great Hall and historic kitchens. For anyone interested in historic houses this is a must see property and offers a fascinating insight into Upstairs, Downstairs life in Victorian England.

Next, an unforgettable experience in an epic location. The Eden Project is one of Cornwall's most iconic sights and its three giant greenhouses have been described as a wonder of the modern world. These futuristic biomes house a dizzying array of plants, trees and botanical wonders from across the globe. We’ll be treated to a private, guided tour at Eden in order to make the most of our visit.

Dinner this evening is on your own so why not try one of the fantastic eateries on our Falmouth restaurant recommendations list included with your final tour documents. Highlights include a wonderful Thai restaurant, award-winning gastro pub, and of course the freshest seafood. All within a few minutes walk of our hotel.
Breakfast is included this morning.

Wednesday, April 5 ~ St. Michael's Mount, Trengwainton, St. Ives

We begin today at St. Michael's Mount, the jewel in Cornwall's crown. This dramatic island abbey was originally built by Benedictine monks and we will discover the legend, myth and beauty of this sacred site. Although it is officially owned by the National Trust, it has been the home of the St. Aubyn family for centuries. Gardens cling to the granite cliff face and the air is scented with springtime blossoms.

After our morning and early afternoon spent at St. Michael's Mount, we will experience another National Trust treasure, Trengwaiton Garden. When walking through the garden at the height of its spring color, it’s hard to imagine a time when this and other British gardens were completely devoid of the exotic blooms of magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias.The main gardens lead up to a terrace with splendid views of Mount’s Bay and the walled gardens contain many unusual shrubs not seen elsewhere on mainland Britain. Here, we discover a garden where the spirit of the plant hunters lives on.
Picture
Trengwainton Garden by Michael Stone
We will end on high note with a visit and delicious dinner in the quintessentially English seaside town of St. Ives.

St. Ives has been a busy fishing port since the Middle Ages and is believed to have been settled as early as the Bronze Age. It is a delightful old fishing town of breathtaking beauty. We will have some time to explore the cobbled streets, admire the pretty cottages and peak into the interesting art galleries. Our Blue Badge guide will also tell us all about the history and tradition of this ancient town before our dinner together at an award-winning restaurant.
Breakfast and dinner are included today.

Thursday, April 6 ~ Trewithen, Trelissick, Tregothnan Tea

After breakfast at the hotel we set out for a full day of Cornish garden beauty.
We begin at Trewithen Garden, an eighteenth century house with walled and woodland gardens made by the renowned horticulturalist George Johnstone. Perhaps the most beautiful woodland garden in England, Trewithen is known for its great collection of magnolias, rhododendrons, and camellias best seen in early spring. The garden's 30 acres includes many rare trees and shrubs and new plantings abound to bring an ever-changing kaleidoscope of color to this gorgeous garden delight. The head gardener will give our group special insight.

Our next stop is the National Trust's Trelissick Garden. This tranquil and diverse garden is known for its glorious maritime views down Carrick Road towards the sea. Trelissick has been planted with many of the tender shrubs so characteristic of Cornwall and on clear days you can see as far as Pendennis Castle in the distance.

The last stop today is a Huron Tours exclusive. Tregothnan, the U.K.'s first (and only) tea plantation,is also home to one of Britain's finest private gardens. As a botanic garden and arboretum it is unequalled in its offering of scale, diversity, rare collections, sweeping vistas and secluded groves.  

Although Tregothnan is not open to the public, we will be treated to a private tour guided by a member of the gardening team who will discuss the fascinating history of the garden, its impressive plant collections, and exciting plans for the future. Our tour ends with a Cornish cream tea in the Edwardian summer house. Perfection.
Breakfast and Cornish Cream Tea provided today.

Friday, April 7 ~ Glendurgan and Trebah Gardens

Picture
Fifteen miles south of Falmouth lie several of Cornwall’s “showstopper” gardens.

Following breakfast this morning, we’ll have the pleasure of visiting
Glendurgan Garden, founded by the Fox family and now owned by the National Trust. The Foxes are known for making their fortune importing exotic plants, and this garden was designed to showcase their finds. Set in a wooded valley running down the Helford river, this garden is as rich in views as it is in unusual plants. It is one of the great sub-tropical gardens in the UK.

Next up is is the incomparable Trebah Garden - You’ll enjoy lunch on your own today at the pleasant cafe, before heading out to explore this incredible masterpiece of undulating color. Another sub-tropical paradise, featuring a stunning coastal backdrop, this 25 acre ravine garden was planted in 1840 by Charles Fox and is less formal than Glendurgan, but equally as interesting. These “complimentary” gardens are a wonderful exploration of the Fox family’s passion.
Breakfast is included today.


Saturday, April 8 ~ Free Day or Optional Abbey Garden Visit

A completely free day to enjoy the best that the seaside town of Falmouth has to offer. Perhaps pay a visit to the flagship attraction, The National Maritime Museum, or take a cruise along the Fal River for beautiful views. For a great bit of history, see Pendennis Castle, constructed by Henry VIII to defend the British mainland from Spanish and French invasion. There is shopping galore in Falmouth including Beerwolf Books, a pub and bookshop rolled into one!
Or, take our exciting, once-in-a-lifetime tour to Abbey Garden on Tresco Island. (see below for details).

Dinner this evening is on your own so be sure to ask Katie about her favorite Italian restaurant or French bistro or consult your included restaurant recommendations list.
Breakfast included at the hotel this morning.

Sunday, April 9 ~ Caerhays Castle, Lost Gardens of Heligan

After breakfast we make our way to the stunning Caerhays Castle & Gardens which is located in a sheltered valley overlooking Porthluney Cove on the South Cornish Coast. Origins of the 60+ acre garden can be traced back to the Chinese plant hunters around 1900.
Home to the Williams camellia hybrids, Caerhays is perhaps best known for its huge, Asiatic magnolias, usually in their prime in early April. The Williams Family sponsored some of the great plant hunters and their discoveries have a marvellous home in this beautiful setting on the Cornish coast, north of the early 19th century castle, designed by Nash.

Our visit to Caerhays will be extra special today as Huron Tours will attend a private reception in Castle Hall followed by an informal tour of the castle with a member of the Williams Family. You will enjoy lunch in the castle’s Georgian Hall followed by a garden tour and leisurely stroll on the lawn. A magical way to experience a truly magical place.

Our last garden visit in Cornwall is perhaps the best. The Lost Gardens of Heligan. One of the most popular botanical gardens in the UK, the “Willow Tree Garden” (as translated from Cornish) is a must visit on our garden survey, as much for the story of its rehabilitation as for its design and contents. Once a lost and overgrown wasteland, the garden was resurrected when the garden plan, found behind a hidden door amidst World War I rubble, was uncovered in the 1990s. The garden restoration was broadcast throughout Europe and visiting is an absolute must for any visitor to Cornwall (averaging a perfect 10 rating from our previous tours), and a fitting final stop on our Cornish spring escape.
Breakfast and lunch are provided today.

Monday, April 10 ~ Transfer to London, Killerton House, Exeter Cathedral

Our time in Cornwall has come to an end but we still have one last garden visit in store.  
En-route back to London we will visit Killerton House & Gardens, a glorious landscape garden surrounded by parkland. A fine 18th-century house features a renowned historical fashion collection.

Sir Thomas Acland wished to have gardens and parkland fit for his new family seat at Killerton. He employed the best landscaper designers and nurseryman John Veitch to turn his vision into a reality. Veitch and his son James created a network of woodland paths and planted varieties of foreign trees and shrubs, including Wellingtonia. Because of its mild climate Killerton was used as something of a trial ground for plants brought back from all corners of the globe, and many plants which are now found throughout the British Isles were first planted at Killerton.

The Elegant 18th century house boasts interiors featuring a wonderful mix of period styles, from Georgian to Edwardian. There is an impressive first floor exhibition of Killerton's fashion collection, the biggest in the National Trust, with over 20,000 items of clothing and accessories.

After some time for lunch at the garden, we will make a quick visit to Exeter Cathedral. Formally known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter at Exeter, this Anglican cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Exeter and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture anywhere.
Picture
Exeter Catheral by Jim Bowen
Once back in London, we will check into the luxurious 5 Star London Heathrow Sofitel conveniently attached to Terminal 5 and within easy transfer to all other terminals.

Dinner is on your own this evening but you have many options. The hotel offers two great restaurants - La Belle Epoque for fine French cuisine or Vivre for fresh thematic cooking. If you up for it, why not take the highspeed Heathrow Express into central London (just 15 minutes!) and enjoy one last night out in Britain's gorgeous capital.
 Breakfast at the hotel today.

Tuesday, April 11 ~ Heathrow Departure

Make sure to leave time this morning for the included breakfast buffet at the Sofitel before your flight back to the US. It is legendary in its size and scope of offerings (Miso soup anyone?).

We know you will head home today with wonderful memories of this fabulous trip and longing to return to the glorious gardens of England,hopefully on another Huron tour.
Breakfast at the Sofitel.

Please give us a call today if we can answer any questions: (800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-20578

The Abbey Garden ~ Tresco Island

Optional day trip
One of the most spectacular of all Britain's sub-tropical gardens, The Abbey Garden flourishes on a small island only two miles long which lies in the warming Gulf Stream. Nowhere else in the British Isles does such an exotic and exciting collection of plants grow in the open. Within its 14 acres, palms shoot skyward and stately echiums resemble burning rockets.

The garden is arranged on several terraces mounting a hillside linked by flights of steps. They serve as a home for agaves, aloes, proteas, bromeliads, acacias and countless plants (normally grown under glass) from such places as South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean and Mexico. These plants flourish within the secure embrace of massive holm oak hedges, which protect the garden from salty gales. These plants could not thrive out-of-doors in many places on the British mainland.

This 14-acre garden is both formal and informal. Many of the plants are self-seeded. The grounds also house the Valhalla collection of ship figureheads from the National Maritime Museum.

Your tour includes round-trip skybus airfare from Land’s End to St. Mary’s on Tresco Island (the flight takes 15 minutes). This optional tour is limited in size and must be booked at the time of your initial reservation.

+$329 per person. Includes motorcoach transfers, airfare, garden entry & guide.

2017 tour is sold out. Please consider joining us in 2018

2017 Tour cost:

Complete Package Price (without airfare):  $3,898

Single + $898 (Please inquire about our excellent roommate matching program)

Price is per person, based on double occupancy. Includes airport arrival transfer.

 A $1,000 per person deposit will hold your place. It is refundable until 120 days before travel (less a $50 cancellation fee).

Included with your tour:

  • Nine nights, Four-Star accommodations
  • All hotel taxes, baggage handling and bellman’s tips
  • Private airport “Meet & Greet” transfer service
  • Private, deluxe motorcoach transportation
  • 16 Meals including private events and breakfast daily
  • Hand selected wines with all dinners
  • Special Huron Extras: Scenic train travel to Cornwall, Private Cornish Cream teas at Tregothnan & Bosvigo Garden, Free time in Falmouth, Visit to St. Michael’s Mount, Free time in St. Ives, Hosted visit to Caerhays Castle & Gardens with castle reception, Optional tour to Abbey Garden on Tresco Island
  • Visits to the best gardens in the region:
    • Kensington Palace & Gardens
    • Bosvigo Garden (Private Tour)
    • Lanhydrock House & Gardens
    • The Eden Project (Private Tour)
    • Trengwainton  Garden
    • Trewithen Garden (Private Tour)
    • Trelissick Garden
    • Tregothnan (Private Tour)
    • Glendurgan Garden
    • Trebah Garden
    • Abbey Garden on Tresco Island (Optional)
    • Caerhays Castle & Gardens (Private Tour)
    • The Lost Gardens of Heligan
    • Killerton House & Gardens
Some nice surprises!

We have a limited number of Harbor View Rooms available. Add $168 per person to the price of the tour (double occupancy).

Important information About airfare and airport transfers

  • We are more than happy to make flight recommendations. We will tell you exactly what flights to book down to the last detail. If we book air tickets on your behalf a $50 per ticket booking fee will be assessed.
  • The tour price includes arrival airport to group hotel transfer from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) for the official tour dates and when booking pre tour nights at the group hotel through Huron Tours. We are happy to make other transfer arrangements (from other airports or locations) but you may incur a surcharge.
  • We stay the last night of the tour at the London Heathrow Sofitel which is attached to Heathrow at Terminal 5. Transfer to other terminals is quick and easy and detailed instructions will be provided.
Request Brochure
Online Deposit
Picture
Huron Tours and Travel
(800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057
6221 S. Claiborne Ave., STE 586
New Orleans, LA 70125
​USA

www.HuronTours.com
Cornish Magnolias photo by  www.visitcornwall.com
Picture
Huron Tours and Travel
(800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057
Mailing address:
​3436 Magazine St #7188
New Orleans, LA 70115
​USA

www.HuronTours.com
Tours List
  • Cornwall Spring Garden Spectacular - Huron Tours
  • Brochure Request
  • Huron Tours Home Page
  • Book Now