Gardens of Somerset

Upon arrival in Bristol, we travel together to Westbrooke House Garden, a beautiful private garden near Glastonbury. 

This afternoon we visit The Newt, a garden with 200 years of history now transformed as a modern vision of a traditional walled garden. A recreation of a Roman Villa discovered on site with complimentary surrounding garden and a fascinating Garden Museum complete the area. Afternoon refreshments are included during our visit.

Later we will transfer to our hotel in Taunton where a welcome meal has been arranged this evening.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we visit East Lambrook Manor, the renowned cottage garden by writer, Margery Fish. Next we travel to Barrington Court, a moated Tudor house with a walled kitchen garden; roses garden and flower garden restored to the original Gertrude Jekyll design.

In the afternoon, we will visit the garden at Hestercombe where four centuries of garden making culminated  in the masterpiece design of the terrace gardens by Gertrude Jekyll & Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Evening free to experience one of the many restaurants in Taunton; Iain will advise/escort.

This morning we will have some free time to explore Tuanton, one of the most sought-after places in the area with its Georgian homes, independent shops and open spaces. Time to shop or visit Taunton Castle, famous for its role in the aftermath of the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685. The infamous Judge Jeffreys held his Bloody Assizes at the Castle. He tried over 500 Monmouth supporters here, most of whom suffered a speedy hanging.

Our afternoon will be spent together at Forde Abbey Gardens, a beautiful former Cistercian monastery, one of Britain’s largest inhabited houses whish is enhanced by thirty acres of grounds which include exotic borders, bog garden and an arboretum.

We check out of our hotel this morning for our first visit of the day to Kilver Court Gardens with its intricate formal parterre, rose garden, 100 meter herbaceous border against a backdrop of a romantic Mill Pond and a monumental Victorian viaduct.

Our afternoon visit is to the magical Bishop Palace’s Garden in Wells. Twelve acres of tranquil and varied garden surrounded by cloisters and moated precincts of the adjacent 800 year old Cathedral. Here we will have free time to visit the cathedral and environs before our departure for Bristol and our early evening return flight to Dublin.