Coastal Gardens of Cornwall & Devon
March 30 - April 10, 2025
Cornwall and Devon are charmed with winding roads, breathtaking shorelines and glorious gardens. April sees spring swing into full bloom bursting with magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons, bluebells and an explosion of spring bulbs all in gorgeous flower. These rather remote locations, Britain’s sunniest, are buffeted by warm Atlantic breezes. These forces work together to create an unrivaled atmosphere, both for plants, and for people.
In true Huron fashion, we’ve paid as much attention to the exclusive tours, dining and accommodations as we have to the gardens. As part of this deluxe package, we’ll visit several National Trust showstoppers and many smaller, private garden jewels, some opening and hosting special events just for us. In addition to these stunning horticultural landscapes we’ll visit charming local sites, quaint harbors and rugged coastlines.
Skip the stress! Our perfectly planned and paced itinerary offers both excellent value for your money and exclusive experiences only possible with Huron Tours.
Featuring: Kensington Palace & Gardens - Trebah Garden (with Introductory Talk) - Glendurgan Garden (Private Tour) - Lamorran House Gardens (Private Tour) - Trewithen Garden (Private Tour with Head Gardener) - Caerhays Castle & Gardens (Private Tour with Head Gardener) - Lost Gardens of Heligan (Private Talk) - Lanhydrock House & Gardens - The Garden House (Private Tour with Head Gardener) - Wildside Garden (Private Tour with Owner/Head Gardener) - RHS Rosemoor (optional) - Agatha Christie’s Greenway (Private Tour with Head Gardener) - Coleton Fishacre (Private Tour with Head Gardener) - Cotehele House (Private Tour with Head Gardener) - Endsleigh House (Private Tour with Head Gardener)
Please review the details below and consider joining us on this memorable garden adventure. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions - the people you speak with on the phone will be on the tour with you.
Happy Travels! - Katie and John Kosta
Saturday, March 29
Flights to London
Though not an official tour date we include this day here to help your planning efforts.
Travel to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on your favorite air carrier.
Please give us a call for airfare prices and schedules. (800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057.
Your air carrier provides dinner and breakfast.
Sunday, March 30
Heathrow Airport arrival, private transfer to our perfectly located hotel, meet your guides, visit Kensington Palace & Gardens, private welcome dinner
Kensington Palace gardens which we'll visit the first day of your tour
Arrival in London couldn't be easier with your HTT arranged private meet & greet transfer to our perfectly located four-star hotel in London. Upon arrival you'll meet your Blue Badge Guide and Huron Tours tour managers who will be with you the entire tour.
After getting settled, we'll enjoy a lovely visit to Kensington Palace & Gardens, a royal residence for over 300 years and former home of Queen Victoria and Princess Diana. You will tour the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments as well as the beautiful Palace Gardens.
Early this evening we'll enjoy a private welcome dinner reception together in one of Huron's favorite South Kensington neighborhood restaurants.
(Meals on flight, welcome dinner included.)
"To Falmouth...That in her quiet bay a hundred ships may ride
- Michael Drayton (1563 - 1631)
Monday, March 31
Train to Cornwall, Lomorran House Gardens visit, Welcome Dinner in Falmouth
After a hearty English breakfast at the hotel, we'll journey via scenic train to gorgeous Cornwall. Great Western Railway transports us from London Paddington to Truro traveling along the iconic part-coastal track built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the 1830s. We'll travel in style and there is no need to worry about your luggage. With Huron Tours your bags will be delivered straight to our water-front hotel in Falmouth, Cornwall while you enjoy the beauty, comfort and ease of travel by train.
On arrival into Truro, we'll pay a very special visit to Lamorran House Garden, a hidden gem located just across the river from Falmouth, in St. Mawes. Lomorran was created upon an empty slope in 1982 and has since become an informal, romantic terraced garden with curving paths and occasional ‘reveals’ of the sea.
After our garden visit at Lomorran, it is a short ferry journey to our home for the next eight nights, Falmouth and The Greenbank Hotel.
The charming town of Falmouth is situated at the end of the River Fal and has been an important Maritime hub for more than 500 years. This is Cornwall's coolest town and one of England's leading cultural destinations. Its attractive old shops, numerous cafés, collection of interesting art galleries and central coastal location make it the perfect home base for our garden explorations.
Our accommodations, Falmouth's oldest and finest, is the Four-Star Greenbank Hotel.
The charming Greenbank Hotel in Falmouth
Nestled on Falmouth harbor, this gorgeous property blends the best of coastal Cornish living with the finest in contemporary comfort. All rooms are perfectly appointed with luxurious toiletries, hairdryer, complimentary coffee and tea, flat screen televisions, 24 hour room service and free wifi. The on-site dining options include the 2 AA Rosette award-winning Water's Edge Restaurant offering truly Modern British cuisine.
This evening we toast our arrival with a private dinner reception at the hotel while enjoying panoramic harbor views.
(Breakfast and Dinner are included today.)
Tuesday, April 1
Breakfast, Trebah garden, Glendurgan garden tour and tea with Charles Fox
After a delightful breakfast in the hotel's beautiful water-view dining room, our garden explorations take us fifteen miles south to two of Cornwall’s showstopper gardens and a study in brotherly love. These complimentary gardens are a wonderful exploration of the Fox family’s garden passion. Our first stop is the incomparable Trebah Garden. A sub-tropical paradise, featuring a stunning coastal backdrop, this 25 acre ravine garden of undulating color was planted in 1840 by Charles Fox. Though less formal than Glendurgan (our next visit), it is equally as interesting. Trebah has its very own secluded, private beach on the Helford River, with views that stretch out to the open sea. Of historic significance, in 1944 the beach was used as an embarkation point for 7,500 US soldiers for the assault landing on Omaha beach, part of the D-Day Landings. It will give you goosebumps.
Just across the lane is Glendurgan Garden, founded by Alfred Fox in 1820. The Fox family are known for making their fortunes importing exotic plants. This garden was designed to showcase their many finds. Set in a wooded valley running down the Helford river, this garden is as rich in views as it is in unusual plants. It is one of the great sub-tropical gardens in the UK. Our visit to Glendurgan will be extra special as we will be hosted by artist, writer and garden designer Charles Fox, the great-grandson of Alfred. We’ll be treated to a private tour of the garden by Charles followed by tea in the Fox family home. A Huron exclusive and one of our favorite garden events of the year!
Dinner this evening is on your own so why not try one of the fantastic eateries on our Falmouth restaurant recommendations list most within a few minutes walk of our hotel.
(Breakfast and tea are included today.)
Wednesday, April 2
Trewithen Garden, The Lost Gardens of Heligan
A day spent in Cornish garden beauty! We begin at Trewithen Garden, an eighteenth century house with walled and woodland gardens made by the renowned horticulturist George Johnstone. Perhaps the most beautiful woodland garden in England, Trewithen is known for its extensive collection of rare trees, shrubs and new plantings that abound to bring an ever-changing kaleidoscope of color to this gorgeous garden delight best seen in early spring. The head gardener, Gary Long, will give our private group special insight as he leads us on a tour. Later, we’ll enjoy lunch together in the garden’s charming teahouse.
This afternoon we'll enjoy a visit to one of the most popular botanical gardens in the UK, The Lost Gardens of Heligan. The “Willow Tree Garden” (as translated from Cornish) is an essential visit as much for the story of its rehabilitation as for its design and contents. Once a lost and overgrown wasteland, the garden was resurrected when the garden plan, found behind a hidden door amidst World War I rubble, was uncovered in the 1990s.
You are once again on your own for dinner this evening so be sure to consult our extensive (and well researched) Falmouth dining guide full of excellent suggestions.
(Breakfast and lunch are included today.)
Thursday, April 3
Caerhays Castle with private tour and lunch, free afternoon
Our last garden visit before we depart Cornwall is perhaps the best. The stunning Caerhays Castle & Gardens is located in a sheltered valley overlooking Porthluney Cove on the South Cornish Coast. Origins of the 60+ acre garden can be traced back to the Chinese plant hunters around 1900. Home to the Williams camellia hybrids which you will have discovered at Trewithen, Caerhays is perhaps best known for its huge, Asiatic magnolias, usually in their prime in early Spring. The Williams Family sponsored some of the great plant hunters and their discoveries have a marvelous home in this beautiful setting along with the early 19th century castle, designed by Nash.
Our visit to Caerhays will be extra special today as Huron Tours will attend a private reception in the Castle including lunch in the Georgian Hall. We’ll also enjoy a fascinating private garden tour led by the head gardener. An absolutely magical way to experience a truly extraordinary setting.
Enjoy the rest of your free afternoon and evening in back in Falmouth, Cornwall’s coolest town!
(Breakfast and lunch are included today.)
Friday, April 4
Transfer to Devon via National Trust Lanhydrock, welcome to Devon dinner
We depart Cornwall today and head for the coastal utopia of Devon! En-route we'll visit the National Trust’s Lanhydrock House & Gardens, a magnificent late Victorian country house and beautiful spring garden. The fabulous formal parterre brings a real touch of grandeur and the blooming borders are filled with flowers and fragrant plants. A gorgeous magnolia arch offers a beautiful gateway to exploring the higher levels of the garden which contain a beautiful rhododendron collection. The gorgeous 17th century home is a “must see” boasting many interesting rooms including a stunning Great Hall and historic kitchens (alone worth the trip to Cornwall.) This property offers a fascinating insight into Upstairs, Downstairs life in Victorian England.
Our ultimate destination today is our home for the next 5 nights, The Dart Marina Hotel on the banks of the winding River Dart. The property’s prime position in the beautiful South Hams sailing town of Dartmouth has water views from each bedroom! Bobbing yachts with tinkling boats’ bells and the cheery tooting of the Dartmouth steam train make for a blissful soundtrack as you take in the stunning views of shimmering waters. It is a short walk to Dartmouth Castle and the charming higgledy-piggledy streets of this historic harbor town. The property includes an excellent restaurant and atmospheric bar plus a spa featuring a fitness suite, small pool, steam room and hot tub.
We’ll enjoy a nice dinner together this evening in the hotel’s stunning ‘Zephyr’ Restaurant with amazing views.
(Breakfast and dinner are included today.)
Saturday, April 5
The Garden House, Wildside Garden
One of the most anticipated visits of this magnificent tour is to The Garden House. This gorgeous 10 acre “plantsman’s paradise” garden, set in a stunning valley on the western edge of Dartmoor National Park, will immerse you in color, scent and spectacular views at every turn. Head Gardener Nick Haworth will lead us on a guided tour. Our visit will be followed by a fun lunch together in the town pub.
Later this afternoon we’ll enjoy a private visit to Wildside, a highly acclaimed garden and plant nursery. This innovative and artistic experimental garden was created by Keith Wiley, the former Head Gardener of The Garden House. Wildside blew us away in 2024 and the group was left moved and inspired both by the garden and Keith himself.
Dinner is on your own this evening so be sure to consult our Dartmouth dining recommendations list, or make a reservation in the hotel restaurant.
(Breakfast and lunch are included today.)
Sunday, April 6
Free day to explore Dartmour or optional tour to RHS Rosemoor
Spring blooms at Rosemoor
Your day is completely free to experience vibrant Dartmouth or to join our optional day trip to RHS Rosemoor (see box). Spend the day exploring Dartmouth with its museum, art galleries, independent shops, and wonderful restaurants right outside our front door. Perhaps you'd enjoy a visit to Dartmouth Castle, the most beautifully located fortresses in all of England? You can also see one of the county’s most historic churches, St Saviour’s, dating back to 1372 or partake in a bit of retail therapy at Dartmouth’s Old Market.
(Breakfast included)
Optional Tour: RHS Rosemoor
Sunday, April 6th
For those who prefer an organized activity on your free day, consider joining us for a trip to RHS Rosemoor. Rosemoor is an enchanting 65-acre RHS garden in a gorgeous Devon valley offering formal and informal plantings to magical effect. Rosemoor’s award-winning Garden Kitchen restaurant serves seasonal menus full of quality garden and local produce.
Experience the tranquility and endless planting inspiration during this marvelous day trip.
- Includes Private Motorcoach transportation, Blue Badge Guide Escort and Garden Entry. +$209 per person
Monday, April 7
Ferry to Greenway House, private tour at Greenway House, visit to Coleton Fishacre with private tour
Agatha Christie's Greenway House
Today after breakfast, we’ll embark on a wonderful private cruise of the lower part of the River Dart. We’ll see the colorful homes and castles of the estuary, Britannia Royal Naval College and eventually our ultimate destination, Agatha Christie's Greenway Estate.
Agatha Christie's Greenway House
Greenway was the residence of Agatha and her second husband the archaeologist Max Mallowan. She used the estate as inspiration for several of her novels including ‘Dead Man’s Folly’, ‘Five Little Pigs’ and ‘Ordeal by Innocence.’ The interiors feature wonderful collections of silver, books, china, and Tunbridge ware in addition to a wealth of family mementos and objects associated with Christie and her writing career. From walled gardens to a riverside woodland, the informal gardens at Greenway are peaceful and relaxing. The head gardener will give us special insight into this special property.
Later this afternoon we’ll visit Coleton Fishacre, a wonderful Art Deco country house set in a beautiful wooded valley near the mouth of the River Dart. Built in 1925 by Rupert D'Oyly Carte and his wife Dorothy, the house is set in outstanding gardens featuring rare trees, water features and moisture-loving plants. We’ll have a private tour given by the head gardener and you’ll have plenty of time to explore Huron Tours’ favorite manor house in England!
(Breakfast is included today.)
Tuesday, April 8
Cotehele House, Endsleigh House
We can't do justice to Cotehele House in this space - you'll just have to join us!
We begin today at the National Trust’s Cotehele House back in Cornwall which features formally planted terraces and a valley garden leading down to the Tamar river. The Tudor house perched high above has some very fine furniture and other artifacts. We’ll once again have a private tour with the head gardener.
Alan Titchmarsh described our next visit as “paradise” and it is certainly one of the most romantic gardens in England. Endsleigh House was created as a hunting and fishing lodge for the sixth Duke of Bedford at the beginning of the 19th century. Designed by Jeffrey Wyatt in the Cottage Orné style, the surrounding Grade I listed gardens were one of Humphry Repton’s last completed commissions. This picturesque 108-acre garden overlooks the River Tamar on the Devon-Cornwall border and consists of formal gardens around the house, including a 100-meter long herbaceous border filled with flowers. British Magazine Tatler says “the whole thing is completely enchanting, torn straight from the pages of Hans Christian Andersen.” King Charles himself also has a real fondness for Endsleigh, and you’ll see why! After a private tour with Head gardener Ben Ruscombe-King we’ll enjoy drinks on the garden terrace followed by a private candle lit dinner in the transformed stable block.
(Breakfast and dinner included today.)
Wednesday, April 9
Departure for London, visit to the Newt in Somersett, Overnight at the Sofitel
We depart beautiful Devon this morning for one last very special visit en-route to London.
In a storybook corner of England lies the magical Newt in Somerset (official sponsor of the Chelsea Flower Show). At the heart of the 800-acre estate surrounding the beautiful red-gold limestone Hadspen House are 30-acres of formal gardens created by Franco-Italian Patrice Taravella - arguably one of the most exciting horticultural projects to have emerged in the UK in the last decade. The Newt is home to a Gardening Museum, the ruins of a Roman Villa, an observational lakeside apiary (Beezantium), plus a fantastical grotto housing the colony of great crested newts after which the estate is named. We’ll enjoy refreshments on arrival, a private tour of the walled garden and a wonderful lunch together in the award-winning cafe.
Once back in London, we will check into the luxurious Five-Star London Heathrow Sofitel conveniently attached to Terminal 5 and within easy transfer to all other terminals. We’ll toast our travels with canapes and drinks at a private reception in the hotel’s Zen garden.
(Breakfast, lunch and canapes reception included today.)
Thursday, April 10
Departures for home
Good-byes are hard but departure today is made easy as you are connected to Heathrow Airport. Be sure to enjoy the Sofitel’s wonderful and extensive breakfast buffet before heading for your flight back home. You’ll leave with magical memories of gorgeous gardens, stunning coastline views and some new friends with shared garden passions!
(Breakfast included)
A $1,000 per person deposit will hold your space. Please use the link above or below to access our online shopping cart. If you'd like to reserve over the phone, we'd be happy to talk to you and can be reached at either (504) 267-2057 or (800) 734-1192.
