Explore the RHS’s newest garden with Tom Stuart-Smith
IT WAS almost a year ago that one of Europe’s biggest-ever garden projects was opened – after multiple Covid-related delays and thanks to a dedicated group of gardeners who spent the first lockdown planting 25,000 plants across the 154 acres.
The result is the spectacular RHS Garden Bridgewater, which is now complete with 40,000 more plants than planned and has features including a lakeside path.
Now you can visit the fifth Royal Horticultural Society garden on this exclusive four-day tour.
Making the trip even more unforgettable, you’ll be joined by the man behind the vision for the project, landscape architect Tom StuartSmith, who will take an exclusive tour of the garden with you, then take part in a talk and a Q&A session.
Tom says: ‘I have known the amazing site that became RHS Garden Bridgewater for some time and it is really remarkable.
‘It is a great honour and a huge challenge to be able to contribute to this very exciting project.’
Your trip will also take in some of the finest gardens in the north-west of the country, including the Trentham Estate, which also features gardens designed by Tom, and Dunham Massey and Tatton Park, whose gardens have developed over 200 years.
You’ll visit Ness Botanic Gardens in the Wirral, with their own weather
station and Arley Hall, where a pair of herbaceous borders were first laid in 1846.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Exclusive events with Tom StuartSmith: Tom, who has designed eight gold medal-winning gardens for the Chelsea Flower Show, will join you for a tour of RHS Gardens Bridgewater, which he designed. He’ll also deliver an illustrated talk and answer your horticultural questions.
Visit the RHS’s newest garden: The creation of RHS Garden Bridgewater is one of the most significant events in the 215-year history of the RHS and its first new garden for nearly 20 years. Its centrepiece is the 11-acre Weston Walled Garden, one of the UK’s biggest, measuring the size of six football pitches and comprising 11 gardens, including The Paradise Garden, Kitchen Garden, Community Wellbeing Garden and Community Grow Garden.
Tour Trentham Estate: You’ll begin your break with a visit to the Staffordshire gardens where the contemporary revival of Italian gardens was led by Tom himself. Then explore the Piet Oudolf-designed Rivers of Grass and Floral Labyrinth and Discover delightful gardens: The year-round Ness Botanic Gardens feature lilies, primulas and terrace gardens with climbing plants and herb and water gardens in the summer months. Dunham Massey was planted in regimental fashion by the 2nd Earl of Stamford and Warrington before being abandoned in 1856.
Architect of Crystal Palace Joseph Paxton designed aspects of Tatton Park and you’ll end your trip with a visit to the beautifully maintained gardens at Arley Hall.