Itinerary:
Sat   Train from Paddington Station departs to St Ives in Cornwall (not included in the cost of the package). In Cornwall the mild micro-climate and shores washed by the Gulf Stream mean spring gardens are in bloom. We stay at Hotel Chy Morvah for seven nights and each day explore a wonderful garden in the region. On arrival at St Ives we enjoy afternoon cream tea and then later, after dinner, have an introduction to our leader and an outline of the programme.

Sun  Today we tour St. Ives, a premier tourist center and winner of  “Britain in Bloom 2000”. It overlooks one of the most beautiful bays in the world. We walk along narrow cobbled streets leading from the fishing harbour and admire the masses of floral colour adorning quaint cottages. After lunch we visit Trebah Garden, one of the finest gardens in England. The 25 acre south-facing location on a steeply wooded ravine falls 60 meters to a private beach on the river. It is best known for flowering rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias, azaleas and a series of Koi ponds.

Mon   We start with a visit to a Demonstration Garden at Probus. The 5-acres include cacti, climbers and a salvia collection which are part of a water-wise garden practice. After lunch we visit Trewithen which means “house of the trees” and the name describes this early Georgian house in its splendid setting of wood and parkland. The 30 acres are known for the magnificent collection of camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and many rare trees and shrubs. We usually have time for traditional afternoon tea with clotted cream on fresh-baked scones with strawberry jam.

Tues    Welcome to “The Eden Project”. A giant crater is the site for huge conservatories (called Biomes) built to house exotic plants. One Biome is "Humid Tropics" and contains plants and trees from the lush rainforests of South America, West Africa and Oceanic Islands in Asia. They include Pineapples, Coconut palms and Sugar Cane. Another Biome is "Warm Temperate" and protects Olive groves, Citrus groves, Tobacco and Cotton plantations plus lavender striped Aubergene. Outdoors, the third Biome, is planted with species found in the unique mild Cornish climate.
http://www.edenproject.com

Wed    Day of leisure.  Those who are energetic can arrange a visit to St Michael’s Mount, a former Benedictine Priory and Castle. A 500-yard granite causeway separates St Michael’s from the town of Marazion.  St Michael’s Mount is one of the most visited National Trust properties in Britain and boasts beautiful gardens. Every room in the castle is full of history and the town of Marazion, one of the oldest in the Country dating back to 308 BC, offers lots of quaint shops. 
www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk
 Another option this day is a visit to the Tate Gallery of Cornwall and the Hepworth Sculpture Garden which are located right in St Ives and walking distance from the hotel. You may just want ti browse in the shops and galleries then have afternoon tea at a quaint tea shop.  

Thurs     Full day excursion to the Penzance area and the Trengwainton Garden. The garden is largely a 20^th century creation although there has been a house here since the 16^th century.  On the south side of the house there are five compartments with lawns dominated by large flowering trees. Many of the sweet smelling rhododendrons that flower here in spring were raised from seed brought back from plant-collecting expeditions in the Himalayas in 1927. Following the stream are feathery bamboo’s and Australian tree ferns and on its banks are lilies, primulas and other water-loving plants.

 Fri      A one mile drive among tall Rhododendrons - this is Pencarrow. The gardens were designed and laid out by the radical politician, Sir William Molesworth in 1831. There are 160 different species of conifers, plus 700 Rhododendron hybrids and more than 60 different Camellias. The beautifully proportioned sunken Italian Garden is a prime feature to the south of the house. There is also a rockery built from granite. In the courtyard a 17^th century cottage has been converted into Tea Rooms where you can sit and enjoy a cream tea surrounded by magnificent Peacocks. Our next stop is Lanhydrock Garden, a 30 acre formal/informal/woodland garden. The gardens form a horseshoe around the finest house in Cornwall with formal Victorian parterres and a unique herbaceous garden.

 Sat     After breakfast return to London

The above itinerary may be altered due to weather or blooming conditions at the time. Sometimes other gardens will be even more spectacular.