Sue McDougall was appointed the Director of the Western Australian Botanic Garden in November 2021, and is leading a team of specialists who are passionate about WA’s unique flora. Ex – situ conservation is at the heart of Kings Park. Sue’s enthusiasm for the natural environment is contagious. She has spent her whole life ‘growing’ things and her career hasn’t veered far from this interest. Sue is a horticulturist, broadcaster and landscape architect and is once again looking forward to sharing her love of gardens and the natural environment with you.
VIEW ITINERARY DAY 1 Tuesday 20 May, 2025 In flight
Our holiday starts with a flight to London today.
DAY 2 Wednesday 21 May, 2025 London
On arrival we visit the famous Kew Gardens, London’s largest UNESCO World
Heritage site and home to the world’s most diverse collection of living plants
and a scientifi c research centre of international renown. Set in 300 acres we
will discover beautiful glasshouses including the iconic Palm House and its
exotic rainforest; the Princess of Wales Conservatory with 10 of the world’s
climatic zones; and the Waterlily House with its amazing, giant lily pads. We
travel into central London for check-in. The tour manager will meet those
wishing to dine with the group this evening.
DAY 3 Thursday 22 May, 2025
London
The highlight of our time in London will be an escorted visit to the famous
Chelsea Flower Show. Chelsea is the main event in the English horticultural
calendar and boasts amazing displays of the world’s best fl owers and
plants. You will see fabulous show gardens specially created by leading
designers. Sue will ensure that you get the most from this wonderful show.
We return to our hotel early afternoon, with an optional drop off at Harrods
for those who would like to have time to shop. The rest of the day is free
for independent activity before we enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening.
DAY 4 Friday 23 May, 2025
London
This morning, we will visit Hampton Court Palace and Garden. The Palace
off ers a fascinating insight into the activities of British monarchs from
Henry VIII onwards. The garden is most famous for its Great Vine, planted in
1768, which still produces hundreds of bunches of Black Hamburg grapes
each year. The Pond Gardens off er a magnifi cent display of bedding plants.
The recently restored Privy Garden of William III is a spectacular example
of baroque design, with parterres, cut work, clipped yews and spring and
summer displays of 17th-century plants. This afternoon will be a delight as
we visit a private “Romantic” garden. Sue will lead the group along a short
woodland path that leads from dovecote to beehives, where we will see
informal planting that contrasts with formal topiary, this includes box and
garlanded cisterns. We also see a colourful courtyard, a conservatory and a
pond with a fountain.
DAY 5 Saturday 24 May, 2025
London
Today we visit the Royal Horticultural Garden, Wisley. The RHS was given
Wisley Estate in trust by Sir Thomas Hanbury in 1903. The garden will capture
the imagination with richly planted borders and luscious rose gardens and
amazing glasshouses which recreate tropical, moist temperate and dry temperate habitats. Trials of fl owers, vegetables and fruit were expanded at
Wisley and they continue to be some of the principal features of the garden.
Several Chelsea Flower Show prize-winning gardens are displayed in the
grounds. Our visit will be an interesting look at the history of gardening in
Britain. The afternoon will be free to explore London. Why not book a show?
DAY 6 Sunday 25 May, 2025
Exeter
Today we depart London and travel east through the beautiful English
countryside to visit Stourhead. Sue will take the group on a tour of delightful
Stourhead and explain the visionary design of Henry Hoare II. It is claimed by
many that this garden is the greatest surviving example of a classical garden.
We continue to the county capital, Exeter for our two-night stay.
DAY 7 Monday 26 May, 2025
Exeter
Today we will visit two superb gardens. Cothay Manor is located in a magical
setting, surrounded by 6 hectare of garden and wildflower meadow. During
the 1990s the present owners completely re-made the garden as a series of
rooms and courts within the original framework. There is a Bishop’s room,
where the colour scheme is reds and purples reflecting the episcopal robes
and a white garden called the Green Knight Garden. We continue our journey
to visit Knightshayes garden. Near the house the terraces are planted with
shrub roses and tree peonies and herbaceous plants. Battlement hedges
frame the pool garden with a backdrop of acers and topiary foxes repeated
throughout the garden. This evening Sue and the tour manager will meet
other tour members, who would like to have dinner together.
DAY 8 Tuesday 27 May, 2025
Falmouth
We travel into Cornwall today to visit the Eden Project. Located on a
reclaimed china clay pit the Eden Project is an educational charity. The
complex is dominated by two huge enclosures consisting of adjoining
domes, that house thousands of plants species. The largest of the domes
simulates a rainforest environment. After our visit we check into our hotel in
the Cornish coastal town of Falmouth. The remainder of the day will be free.
DAY 9 Wednesday 28 May, 2025
Falmouth
Today we travel to Glendurgan a sheltered 10 hectare valley garden, which
slopes down to the atmospheric Helford River. Created by the Fox family in
the 1820s the sheltered micro climate permits plants from all over the world
to flourish. We continue with a visit to nearby Trebah. We will have spectacular
views over massive clumps of rhododendrons, which will be in full bloom
during our visit, as we look over the ravine and down to the Helford River.
There is an extensive collection of sub-tropical Mediterranean plants.
DAY 10 Thursday 29 May, 2025
Stratford-upon-Avon
We will depart for our visit to Sudeley Castle Garden this morning. Described
as one of the most beautiful castles to visit in England, there is so much
to discover at Sudeley Castle. There are 10 magnificent gardens to explore,
each with its own unique style and design. We continue to Stratford-upon
Avon for a four-night stay. The tour manager will meet the group in the
lobby to suggest restaurants for the evening meal.
DAY 11 Friday 30 May, 2025
Stratford-upon-Avon
We travel west to beautiful Gloucestershire today. We first visit Bourton
House, an inspiring garden offering an alternative to a traditional country
house garden. The geometric potager is a particular delight. Well-kept
lawns, quiet gardens, a knot garden and Cotswold’s stone walls are set off by herbaceous borders. In the afternoon we visit Sezincote. We travel along
a long dark avenue to enter the property, where we are surprised to see an
English country house built in the Mogul style of Rajasthan architecture. The
cool and elegant curving Orangery frames the Persian garden of Paradise
in the south which has been laid out with canals and Irish yews. Streams
and pools are lined with great clumps of bog plants. We return to Stratford
upon-Avon for an evening of exploration.
DAY 12 Saturday 31 May, 2025
Stratford-upon-Avon
We will have time this morning to visit some gorgeous Cotswold villages.
We first visit Burton-on-the-Water regularly voted the prettiest village in
England. We continue to Snowshill known for its beauty and its views over
the Severn Vale, where we will visit Snowshill Manor. The honey-coloured
house contains the collection of artefacts assembled by Charles Wade. We
will enjoy the organically gardened cottage garden with a wide range of
spring flowers, bulbs and roses.
DAY 13 Sunday 1 June, 2025
Stratford-upon-Avon
In the morning, we will visit Rousham Garden designed by William Kent in
the New English Style of Landscape in the 17th Century. We will see the
pond and cascades that Kent designed as it is one of the few gardens from
this date that have escaped alteration. We have free time this afternoon
before we enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening.
DAY 14 Monday 2 June, 2025
Departure
We check out of the hotel and travel through the Cotswolds to visit two of
the finest gardens in England. We first visit Chipping Camden known for
its beautiful classic stone cottages before travelling to Hidcote, one of the
most notable gardens in the world. It was created by self-taught gardener,
Lawrence Johnson in the early part of the 20th century with a fabulous sense
of design and great planting skills, using mainly 19th-century varieties. After
lunch at leisure at Hidcote, we travel the short distance to Kiftsgate Court.
This garden is full of colour and scent. The magnificent old species of roses
are the glory of the garden. In the late afternoon we continue to London
airport for our return flight to Australia
DAY 15 Tuesday 3 June, 2025 Arrival
The group arrives in Australia and tour arrangements conclude.
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|
| $ 9,490 | $11,490 |
You can stay longer in England for minimal extra cost. Please contact 1800 630 434 for more information.
International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical tness that allows them to take part in this activity without the assistance from others.
Tour Operator: Travelrite International Pty Ltd, Licence number 30858 (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour operator.
Tour Costs: The tour costs are based on airfare, general transport, accommodation costs and foreign exchange rate at 4/5/2024. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with a full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to price will be made within 60 days of departure from Australia.
Deposit and Payments: A non-refundable deposit of $1000 per passenger is required at the time of booking for the Chelsea Garden tour. Full payment will be required 62 days before departure of the Garden Tour. A 1.5% administration fee will be charged on payment by credit card.
Air Taxes: On return ights from Perth as listed in the itinerary. Please contact us for air taxes from di erent cities. Air taxes at 4 May 2024. If they change due to government and airline charges and currency variations, Travelrite International reserves the right to charge additional amounts.
Cancellation Conditions: Cancellations within 62 days of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 62 days from departure will result in a cancellation fee of $1000 per person.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs
of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers and Conditions:
The tour has been priced
on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 62 days
prior to departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving
a full refund of all monies paid or o er arrangements to proceed with the
tour at a modi ed cost. Travelrite reserves the right to change advertised
entrances if necessary for the smooth operation of the tour.
Refunds:
The tour is based on arrangements that do not allow for any
refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals, airfare, or other
services not utilized after the tour has commenced.
Tour Participation:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Travel Documents:
All passengers will require a valid passport. Visas for
countries visited are not required for Australian passport holders. If you hold
another passport, please check with Travelrite.
Baggage:
All passengers qualify for the 20kg (44lb) free baggage allowance.
Responsibilities: Travelrite International Pty Ltd is the tour organiser. Travelrite International Pty Ltd, it’s agents, o cers, a liates, and/or suppliers of services pursuant to or in connection with these y/stay holidays shall act only as agents in making arrangements for hotels, transportation including transportation by ship, restaurants, or any other service and do not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any services included in y/cruises, or by act of God. Further no responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism, or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. Baggage is at owners’ risk throughout the y/stay holiday. The passage contract between the carriers concerned when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of these y/stay holidays and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any y/ stay holiday and/ or make such changes in the y/stay holidays as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. This contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia.
Delays and unforseen events::
You engage Travelrite to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary for your bene t to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by sending full names and addresses of intending tour members with a non-refundable deposit of $1000 for the Garden Tour of England.
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information or a booking form contact the following numbers:
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Telephone (03) 8803 6868
Email sales@travelrite.com.au
https://www.travelrite.com.au/
About Travelrite International: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established travel company which has been marketing throughout Australia for over 40 years and operating in Victoria for more than 40 years. It has an ATAS accredited o ce at Balwyn, which is also accredited with IATA. As such they directly represent the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators. Travelrite International has been operating special interest tours for over 35 years, and now runs over 120 tours a year. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents – AFTA.
“The whole tour was wonderful and the group was a good mix of personality. The gardens visited were interesting and varied.”
“Very enjoyable. Good mix of people in the group.”
