Known and loved for their rolling hills, honey-coloured stone buildings and cosy pubs, the Cotswolds are the epitome of rural British beauty.
On this five-day tour, you'll explore some of the region's prettiest gardens, with visits to Batsford Arboretum, Sezincote House, and Painswick Rococo Garden.
A highlight is an exclusive visit to Cotswolds Farm Park, where owner Adam Henson will give a private Q&A on conservation and sustainable farming, followed by a special lunch and farm tour.
Other visits include Chedworth Roman Villa, offering insights into Roman life, and Sudeley Castle and Gardens, where you'll tour the grounds and explore historical rooms. The trip concludes with a traditional afternoon tea in Broadway, one of the prettiest Cotswold villages, offering a perfect farewell to your fellow travellers.
Throughout the trip, you'll stay at the four-star Leonardo Hotel in Cheltenham, where you'll enjoy breakfast and dinner each day.
Adam Henson is possibly the UK's best-known farmer, often presenting Countryfile from his Cotswold Farm Park. Adam took over from his father in 1999 and now welcomes more than 100,000 visitors a year to his farm, which is home to herds of British rare breeds.
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement from £195pp. Deposit required. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. The tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Brightwater Holidays (ATOL 4498).
Today you'll make your way to the Leonardo Hotel in pretty Cheltenham, where you can check in from 3pm. Later, once you've had time to settle into your room, you'll meet your tour manager for a welcome reception and introductory talk before enjoying your first group dinner.
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll visit Sezincote, an Indian-style house designed and built in the Mogul style of Rajasthan.
You'll explore the eastern 'Hindu' garden, with its temple with a figure of the goddess Souriya, a bronze serpent, Brahmin bulls, a mushroom-shaped fountain, a conservatory with minarets and an unusual, curved orangery.
This afternoon you'll travel to Batsford Arboretum, home to an astonishing collection of over 2,850 specimens including around 1,300 trees, shrubs, and bamboos. Among them are collections of Japanese flowering cherries, acers, bamboos and magnolias as well as a collection of endangered Chilean Conifers.
On the way back to the hotel you'll pay a visit to Daylesford Organic Farm Shop.
This morning, you'll head for the centre of Cheltenham where you'll enjoy a guided walk discovering its history as a spa town and its iconic Regency buildings.
After exploring Cheltenham, you'll travel to the Cotswold Farm Park where you'll be met by Adam Henson, one of the UK's most well-known farmers.
The Countryfile presenter will join you for a light buffet lunch and answer some of your questions during a Q&A session before a short tour of the farm. There will be some free time to explore independently before setting off back to the hotel.
After breakfast, you'll set off for Painswick Rococo Garden. The garden here is a delight to explore, with follies nestled in a hidden valley surrounded by magnificent Cotswold views and a large Kitchen Garden which produces many crops used in the garden's own restaurant. Using a 1748 painting by Thomas Robins as a reference, the garden is being fully restored to its eighteenth-century glory, with rococo buildings, woodland walks and well-planned vistas.
In the afternoon, you'll visit Chedworth Roman Villa, one of the grandest villas to be found in Britain. Chedworth provides a unique insight into what life was like during the Roman period and is home to a small collection of finds and artefacts from the villa itself. There is also a conversation room which provides access to the vast mosaic floors, hypocaust systems and bathhouse rooms.
Today you'll visit Sudeley Castle and Gardens. Built in 1443 the castle estate covers some 1,200 acres and has 10 beautiful gardens.
You'll enjoy a guided walking tour of the castle exterior before exploring the castle rooms, home to many fascinating artefacts dating from Ancient Roman times.
Sudeley Castle is the only private castle in England that is the resting place of a queen - Katherine Parr, the 6th wife of Henry VIII - who is buried in the 15th-century church within the grounds.
From here, you'll head to Broadway, one of the most picturesque villages in The Cotswolds, for some free time to explore before a farewell Afternoon Tea marks the end of a memorable few days.
The Leonardo Hotel Cheltenham is ideal for guests wishing to explore the stunning Cotswolds.
Located just outside Cheltenham's town centre, Leonardo Hotel is ideal for exploring the elegant regency spa town. The hotel offers comfortable beds, an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, a steam room, a sauna, and a gym.
It is conveniently close to Cheltenham's shopping, dining, and the scenic Cotswolds countryside. Just a short taxi ride from Cheltenham Racecourse and five minutes from Cheltenham Spa train station, the hotel also offers 200 parking spaces. In the evenings, guests can dine at the hotel, explore local eateries, or enjoy a show at a nearby theatre.
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* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement from £195pp. Deposit required. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. The tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Brightwater Holidays (ATOL 4498).
