Notes... I think we should flip this trip and perhaps start with the show... depends on avaiability. I have most of the trip staying in Oxford. Please book a hotel in the city center the jericho section as it is very very walkable and lots to do in that area.
Oxford • Cotswolds • London • Chelsea Flower Show
Start: Sunday, May 10, 2026
Day 1 – Sunday, May 10 | Arrive in London
Arrive in London via your preferred air carrier. Please plan your arrival by 7:00 AM on Monday, May 11 in time for the group’s first experience. Private transfer options available upon request. Overnight: London hotel (TBD). Meals: On your own. Take the day to rest, stroll, or explore at your own pace—perhaps a gentle walk along the Thames or a casual neighborhood pub dinner.
Day 2 – Monday, May 11 | London → Oxford via Waterperry Gardens
Meet your Tour Director and Blue Badge Guide this morning before setting off for Oxford, with a delightful first stop at the enchanting Waterperry Gardens—the perfect introduction to English horticulture. Founded in 1932 by Beatrix Havergal, these beautiful 8 acres showcase everything from rose and formal knot gardens to a water-lily canal, riverside walk, and one of the UK’s finest herbaceous borders. With its graceful mix of classical design and naturalistic planting, Waterperry sets the tone for the journey ahead.
There will be time to enjoy lunch in the charming tea shop, where the Waterperry team prepares everything by hand on the premises using the best locally sourced ingredients. Before you leave, be sure to browse the Gallery and Gift Barn, home to lovely artworks by British artists as well as inspiring home, outdoor living, and gift ideas. Then it’s on to Oxford, where you’ll check into your hotel, freshen up, and gather for a festive welcome dinner to begin your trip in style.
Overnight: Oxford
Lunch on own, Welcome Dinner
Day 3 – Tues. May 12 | The Cotswolds & Barnsley House Gardens - Burford Village
Today, following the wonderful breakfast at the hotel, we'll set out to visit one of our favorite villages, Burford, to experience the magic that draws thousands of tourists through this area each year. Burford, nestled along the banks of the River Windrush, has maintained its charm, and is of historical significance having held a local market for the past 900 years. It also is home to one of the top 20 churches of the Cotswolds, which boasts a charming garden of its own, and is open to visit. A special treasure awaits us later this afternoon at the late Rosemary Verey's Barnsley House and Gardens.
Barnsley House’s four acre garden is the epitome of a delightful English garden and blends many styles in an artful and pleasing combination with subtle and beautiful color and texture coordination. The house dates from 1697 and the garden is enclosed on three sides by a stone wall dating from 1770. The Barnsley House Garden (Now the Pig Hotel in the Cotswolds) was redesigned by Rosemary Verey who helped design a border at Prince Charles's Garden at Highgrove.
Overnight Oxford
Breakfast, lunch on own,
Pub Dinner
Day 4 Bath - two hour drive
Day 5- Orientation Tour of Oxford and Day on Your own
After breakfast, you’ll meet your local guide for a walking tour through the center of Oxford and Oxford University. With more than 1,400 years of history to discover, this 2-hour experience brings the city’s past to life, from the Saxons to the present day. Your expert guide will share fascinating stories about Oxford’s most famous colleges and landmarks as you explore the heart of this iconic city.
Along the way, you’ll visit highlights such as the Radcliffe Camera, some of the oldest colleges, and the historic Covered Market. As you wander through charming hidden alleyways, your friendly and knowledgeable guide will entertain you with tales of Oxford’s famous—and infamous—characters, making this a memorable and engaging introduction to one of the world’s most historic university cities. https://www.oxfordofficialwalkingtours.org/tours/oxford-university-city-walking-tour/
Day 6 - Hidcote Manor & Kiftsgate Court Gardens .
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll set off for two spectacular gardens in the beautiful North Cotswolds, both overlooking stunning views of the Vale of Evesham. Our first stop is Hidcote, one of England’s greatest Arts and Crafts gardens. Designed as a series of outdoor “rooms,” each with its own character and theme, Hidcote is a truly inspiring place to explore. From the White Garden to the Fuchsia Garden, the spaces are beautifully connected by imaginative vistas, topiary, ponds, fountains, and vibrant bedding displays. You’ll have plenty of time to wander at leisure and enjoy lunch before we continue to our next destination.
In the afternoon, we visit Kiftsgate Court Gardens, a much-loved garden famous for its roses, but offering so much more besides. Created by three generations of women gardeners, Kiftsgate is all about plants, colour, and delightful surprises. This charming 20th-century garden has an informal feel, with herbaceous borders, a four-square garden, a white garden, a yellow border, a rockery, lawns, and a lovely bluebell wood. One of the highlights is the Kiftsgate Water Garden, also known as the New Garden, featuring a striking bronze leaf sculpture by Simon Allison. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy the beauty and creativity of English garden design.
Day 7 - Blenheim Palace
After breakfast, we depart for the only non-royal structure in the United Kingdom allowed to be called a palace. Blenheim Palace is a true treasure of English heritage and the ancestral home of the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. This magnificent palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, was built for the first Duke of Marlborough and stands as one of England’s finest examples of English Baroque architecture. Set within 2,100 acres of parkland, its gardens are simply delightful and were even named 2008 Garden of the Year by Christie’s and the Historic House Association. Designed by the renowned Capability Brown, the grounds offer something for everyone, from the elegance of the formal and rose gardens to the peaceful Arboretum. The Secret Garden is especially popular, with its mature trees and new seasonal plantings creating interest all year round.
After exploring Blenheim, we’ll enjoy lunch together at the award-winning Bear Restaurant in nearby Woodstock. Then you’ll have time to wander through this charming historic town, first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Today, Woodstock is known for its lovely streets, boutique shops, art galleries, and antique stores, all easy to explore at a relaxed pace. If you have time, the Oxfordshire Museum in the heart of town is well worth a visit too.
Day 8 - Highclere Castle
This morning after breakfast we will depart for Highclere Castle of Downtown Abbey fame. After touring this magnificent house we will return to Oxford and have the rest of the day and evening at leisure. If you enjoy museums, you won’t have to look far to find some of the best. The famous Ashmolean is vast, impressive and is Britain’s oldest public museum. Other highlights include the Oxford University Museums of Natural History, The Pitt-Rivers Museum and the Christ Church Picture Gallery just to name a few. If shopping strikes your fancy, Oxford has the oldest covered market in England and there are a large number of wonderful shops in the city centre right near your hotel. For the bookworm (like we are!) be sure to visit Blackwell’s Books which is the largest space dedicated to book sales in Europe and a tourist attraction in itself.
Day 9 - Oxford- London - enroute Hampton Court Palace and Gardens
Enjoy a relaxing morning at leisure before we set off for London. Along the way, we’ll stop at the magnificent Hampton Court Palace and Gardens for a self-guided tour. Set on the banks of the Thames just southwest of London, this historic royal residence began with Cardinal Wolsey in 1514, was later taken by Henry VIII in 1529, and saw further enhancements under Sir Christopher Wren starting in 1689. Inside, you can explore the beautifully preserved apartments, filled with period porcelain, furniture, paintings, and tapestries.
For many travelers, though, the real highlight will be the stunning palace gardens. Spanning nearly 60 acres, they’re home to more than 200,000 flowering bulbs and 140,000 plants grown in the palace nurseries. The gardens date back to the 16th century, and you’ll also have the chance to see the famous Hampton Court Maze, planted in 1714 and covering a third of an acre. After our visit, we’ll continue to our wonderful hotel in London’s elegant South Kensington neighborhood, where we’ll enjoy a welcome canapé and drinks reception this evening. The remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy dinner in London at your leisure.
Day 10 - Chelsea Flower Show
Day 11 - Free Day In London
Day 12 - Depart for Home
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