Gardens of Shropshire

Join us this morning as we meet our expert guide, Iain MacDonald, at The Alex Hotel in Dublin for our transfer to Dublin Port for our Irish Ferries sailing to Holyhead.

On arrival we will transfer to Chirk Castle where there will be free time for lunch at your leisure (not included) before enjoying a guided tour of the castle and gardens. With over 700 years of history Chirk Castle has lavish interiors and an eclectic collection. The award-winning gardens cover 5 acres of manicured lawns, clipped yews, herbaceous borders, rose, shrub and rock gardens and a wooded pleasure ground.   Later this afternoon transfer to our hotel for our evening meal together.

Following a leisurely breakfast, we will depart this morning for a visit to The Dingle Garden at Welshpool. This internationally acclaimed, RHS partner garden is the lifetime work of Barbara & Roy Joseph who have created a secluded and beautiful area within the rolling hills of mid Wales.The garden is especially well known for its colour-themed and unusual planting which includes lakeside, lawned and mixed bed areas that showcase a wide and unusual range of shrub, tree and herbaceous planting.

This afternoon we will visit the medieval Powis Castle and its world-famous terraced gardens. Contained within the castle is one of the finest collection of paintings and furniture in Wales. The garden, overhung with clipped yews, is laid out in French and Italian styles complete with original lead statues and an orangery on the terraces.

This morning we will enjoy a free morning in Shrewsbury to enjoy some shopping or sightseeing in this historic town.

This afternoon we begin with a visit to Hodnett Hall Garden which consists of over 60 acres of flowers, forest trees, sweeping lawns and ornamental pools. Next, we will visit Wollerton Old Hall Garden, a formal, modern garden on an old site covering 4 acres of richly planted gardens.

Join us this morning for a visit Ashwood Nurseries where we will have a guided tour of ‘John’s Garden’ – a wonderful 3 acre private garden created by the nursery owner.

This afternoon we will visit a specialist independent nursery housed within a historic Shropshire walled garden. Restored Georgian curvilinear glasshouses form a magnificent backdrop to the garden. The planting maintains a succession of interest throughout the open season, including tulips and bulbs in Spring; and grasses, annuals and perennials in Summer and Autumn.

Following our hotel checkout this morning we will visit Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens – three different gardens have been discovered including a walled garden, secret valley garden and upper woodland garden all with their own unique & unusual features.

Time to return to Dublin! We will transfer to Holyhead port for our Irish Ferries sailing before arriving back to the Alex Hotel, Fenian Street, Dublin in the late afternoon.