Perennial Special Events & Tours

^{We are delighted to offer the following programme of escorted garden tours in association with Brightwater Holidays.}

Gardens of Suffolk

31 August - 3 September 2012, from £355

Suffolk is a predominantly rural county of gentle landscapes and big skies, with a host of appealing gardens adapted to the mild, dry climate here.

Our tour starts with Beth Chatto Gardens, created in 1960 by Beth and Andrew Chatto from overgrown wasteland with poor gravel soil and boggy hollows now transformed to an inspirational informal garden harmonising with the surrounding countryside. Our next garden is hidden behind a 400 year-old cottage and a giant yew hedge;Henstead Exotic Garden is filled with palms, bananas, bamboos and jungle plants. Bedfield Hall follows a more traditional design, as you would expect on a site that dates back to the 9th century, while at the Lucy Redman School of Garden Design, we find a quirky plantsman's garden. Further highlights include Rosemary, a romantic cottage style garden in the heart of Constable country and the stately parkland and rose-scented borders of Helmingham Hall. We conclude with a visit to the garden of RHS Hyde Hall at Rettendon, where it showcases a wide range of plants.

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Ninfa and Villa Lante

4 - 7 September 2012, from £795.00

Open only by special arrangement, we are delighted to offer this unique opportunity to visit the ancient and beautiful gardens of Ninfa - truly a paradise of flowers, water and sunlight.

The romantic flower-covered ruins at Ninfa, just to the south of Rome, are as close to gardening perfection as you can get. Scented roses, hydrangeas and jasmines are among the many plants, which curtain what remains of the walls of medieval houses and churches, and entwine soaring cypresses which line what were once streets. Paths now meander beside a crystal-clear river through Ninfa's tranquil setting.

Our tour will visit two other important Italian gardens. The Villa Lante is a study in geometry and symmetry dating back to the 16th century, which greatly impressed Monty Don on his recent world garden tour. Water features are everywhere, including a huge, balustraded water fountain which is a superb example of late-renaissance style. The 16th century gardens at Villa D'Este, also renowned for their use of water, are romantically overgrown with tall pines, evergreen oaks and cedars. From the upper terrace the valley seems to be full of sparkling spray and the senses are confused by the continual sound of cascading water.

The location of our hotel in the centre of Rome allows free time to explore the Eternal City and we shall also visit Viterbo, a medieval walled town which in its heyday rivalled Rome itself.

^{FULL ITINERARY/ BOOKING}