Christine Walkden in the IOW
4 Days
From £925
In association with Brightwater Holidays
Check availability
Call now and book 01334260011 Quote ref: WALKDEN IOW
Check availability
Call now and book 01334260011
Quote ref: WALKDEN IOW
Email us
Visit five of the island’s most beautiful gardens and join The One Show’s gardening expert for a private talk and unique tour of Osborne House

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The Isle of Wight is often called the 'Garden Isle', thanks to its sunny, warmer- than-average weather and abundance of exotic plants.

On this wonderful 2022 tour, you'll hop across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and stay in Cowes to visit the sub-tropical Ventnor Botanic gardens, stunning herbaceous borders of Nunwell House, award-winning displays at Morton Manor and Mediterranean influenced grounds of Mottistone.

Following our best-selling tour of the Cotswolds with Christine Walkden, we've invited her to join you at Osborne House, where she will give a private talk, answer all your horticultural questions and take part in a special tour of the grounds with the head gardener.


This is a perfect UK break for green-fingered readers departing next spring - the best possible time of year to go.
To read more about this trip:
PDF
Download the brochure here

Reasons to book

Stay in Cowes

You’ll be based at the New Holmwood Hotel on the water’s edge in Cowes. Dinner is included each evening among wonderful Solent Views.

Meet Christine Walkden

Christine will give a private talk about her career as a broadcaster, author and horticulturist, plus a give Q&A session.

Explore Osborne House

You'll tour the Osborne House gardens with Christine and the head gardener, enjoy lunch in the Terrace Restaurant and tour the house.
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Tour brochure
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Download a PDF tour brochure

Your special guest

Christine Walkden
Horticulturist, broadcaster, author

Christine started her horticultural career as a ten year-old, when she grew flowers and vegetables on her allotment to sell to teachers and neighbours. During her career, she has worked at The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, before moving into presenting on Gardeners' World, Christine's Garden, The Great British Garden Revival and the Royal Television Society Award-winning Glorious Gardens from Above. She is currently a panel member on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time.

Price includes

  • Return ferry crossings between Portsmouth and Fishbourne
  • Three nights' dinner, bed and breakfast at the three-star New Holmwood Hotel, Cowes
  • Guided tour of Osborne House and Gardens
  • Exclusive talk and Q&A session with Christine Walkden at Osborne House
  • Lunch in the Terrace Restaurant at Osborne House with Christine Walkden
  • Visits to Shanklin Village and Gorge, Ventnor Botanic Garden, the gardens of Nunwell House, Morton Manor and Mottistone Manor
  • Comfortable coaching throughout
  • Services of a Brightwater Holidays tour manager

Availability

Call now to book 01334260011
Quote ref: WALKDEN IOW
Got any questions about this trip? Send us an enquiry

Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Visit Shanklin
    Shanklin, United Kingdom

    Today you will catch a late morning ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne on the Isle of Wight. Your first stop will be the worldfamous Shanklin Chine, which drops 105ft from the top of the cliff to sea level. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the gorge, a natural fissure formed by water cutting through sandstone to the sea. The deeply shaded path winds down beside waterfalls to the shore, which is flanked by more than 150 varieties of wild plants and species of moss. This afternoon, you will have some free time to wander Shanklin's picturesque Old Village before travelling to Cowes to checkin at the New Holmwood Hotel where dinner will be served.

    Meals - Dinner
  2. Day
    2
    Nunwell House and Ventnor Botanic Garden
    Ventnor, United Kingdom

    After breakfast you'll travel to the privately owned gardens at Nunwell House. The gardens were first documented in 1640 when John Oglander recorded that the parlour garden had "all sorts of French flowers and tulips." In the afternoon, you will continue to Ventnor Botanic Garden, famous for its collection of rare plants. The subtropical Undercliff location makes it an ideal environment for rare plants, which are hard to grow elsewhere in the UK. You will then return to your hotel for dinner.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day
    3
    Morton Manor and Mottistone Manor
    Morton Manor, United Kingdom

    Following breakfast, you will start the day at Morton Manor, which has won the Isle of Wight In Bloom competition several times in recent years and has twice been winner of Southern England in Bloom. Dating back to 1249, the manor boasts a huge collection of Japanese Acers and an Elizabethan sunken garden within a handsomely landscaped garden of mature specimen trees. After lunch, you will travel to Mottistone Manor, which has a colourful array of borders, shrubs and flowering fruit trees overlooking sea views. Here, Christine Walkden will join you as you tour the gardens. This evening you'll return to your hotel for dinner.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day
    4
    Osborne House
    Osborne House, United Kingdom

    After breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel and travel to Osborne House and Gardens, accompanied by Christine. Queen Victoria's favourite home, Osborne House boasts the most impressive formal gardens on the island. You'll enjoy a tour with the head gardener, as well as a unique glimpse inside the residence. After lunch in the Terrace Restaurant you'll enjoy a fascinating talk from Christine, with time for questions. You will then be transferred back to Fishbourne for your return ferry and onward journey home.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

New Holmwood Hotel

0
Cowes, United Kingdom

A lovely three-star hotel on the water's edge in pretty Cowes

You will stay throughout your trip at the three-star New Holmwood Hotel in Cowes. On the water's edge at Egypt's Point, the hotel enjoys panoramic views of the Solent. The 26 rooms are comfortable and well equipped, with super king-sized beds and en-suite bathrooms. The sea-facing lounge and restaurant open onto two outdoor terraces, perfect for watching the activity on the water.

Brought to you by

Brightwater Holidays
This tour is operated solely by Brightwater Holidays
Brightwater Holidays is an award-winning tour operator specialising in garden and special-interest escorted tours worldwide.

To view Brightwater Holidays’ supplier’s terms and conditions click here.

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Availability

Call now to book 01334260011
Quote ref: WALKDEN IOW
Email us