Combining the wonderful island of TRESCO in the Scilly Isles with the beautiful Cornish coastline and countryside for our UK tour, will make a most enriching and rewarding break for those who love gardens and appreciate art.
Tresco is just 28 miles off the Cornish coast and is totally unspoilt. Our tour is timed to take advantage of Tresco’s mild early spring. Famous for its sub-tropical ABBEY GARDENS with more than 3,000 species and magnificent vistas, colours and scents, we will be privileged to learn from the Curator and Head Gardener hidden secrets, past and present, with personally guided tours and lectures. Whilst on Tresco there will be time to explore other islands or take boat trips to view the sea birds and seals of the Western Rocks.There are no cars on Tresco and it is a delight to wander the country lanes, taking in the soft rural landscapes with their magnificent coastal backdrop. The beaches on the island are simply breathtaking and it is very easy to walk and find solitude and peace in this natural paradise.
In CORNWALL, we will visit the famous ‘LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN’. Comprising over 200 acres, these award-winning gardens, asleep for more than 70 years, were recently the scene of the largest garden restoration project in Europe. We will also visit the lovely CAERHAYS CASTLE gardens at Gorran, near St. Austell. This informal, woodland garden was created by J C Williams who sponsored plant-hunting expeditions to China at the turn of the 19th Century. Noted for Camellias, rhododendrons and oaks, these gardens hold the NCCPG National Magnolia Collection.
St Ives has for many years been famous world wide for its art and artists’ community. Included in the tour is entrance to the TATE GALLERY in St Ives, which was specially created to display a collection of work by 20th Century painters and sculptors associated with the town, such as Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth. We also visit the BARBARA HEPWORTH MUSEUM and SCULPTURE GARDEN. Barbara lived and worked at Trewyn Studio from 1949 until her death in 1975.
Our Tour Manager will accompany you throughout the tour and do everything possible to ensure you enjoy your holiday.
As Tresco has no cars, we would advise guests that a degree of mobility is required to get the most enjoyment from your visit to the island.
