2021: Isle of Wight Gardens Tour

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1-888-597-3519

905-639-9954

dhtour@dhtour.ca

4 Days / 3 Nights
Availability : May and September
Start: Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight, England
End: Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight, England
3 nights based at Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

The mild island climate allows plants usually associated with warmer climes to thrive, giving gardens here a different look to those to those on the mainland. The ornate terrace gardens of Osborne House, the sheltered Mediterranean style valley garden of Mottistone and the Edwardian-inspired Princess Beatrice garden at Carisbrooke Castle all provide beauty and inspiration. Ventnor Botanical Gardens will give you a chance to take a horticultural journey around the world and see exotic and unusual species.

DetailItineraryDates & PricesHotel DescriptionMapPhotos
Tour Details

Highlights:

  • Osborne House is where Queen Victoria and Price Albert enjoyed private family life growing vegetables and planting trees
  • Visit the enchanting gardens at Mottistone – brightly coloured borders, beautifully scented flowers set in a sheltered valley
  • Enjoy the charming period planting, water feature and orchard from ground level and the battlement walk at Carisbrook Castle
  • Uncover the many layers of interest at Ventnor Botanical garden with an impressive collection of over 30,000 rare and subtropical plants and trees

Pick Up Location & TIme

Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight PO40 9RB (Google Map)
4:00pm – You’re welcome to check into the country house hotel from 4pm onwards.

Drop off Location & Time

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way onward.

Price Includes

  • High quality en-suite accommodation at Freshwater Bay House
  • Excellent food in our country house, full board (B,L,D daily)
  • The services of our knowledgeable leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday
  • Full-day excursions with all transport on touring days in a good-quality, comfortable mini-coach
  • Most admissions to places of interest that form part of your holiday

Meals

  • 3 breakfasts
  • 2 lunches
  • 3 dinners
  • 0 teas

Price Excludes

  • Airfare
  • Transfers
  • Pre / Post hotel nights
  • Travel to/from the Country Hotel (The nearest train station is Lymington Pier on the mainland. This is immediately adjacent to the ferry terminal)
  • Admissions to National Trust, English Heritage, RHS properties (please allow approx. £10 per day for entrances)
  • Entrance to stately homes/houses, for which there is a separate admission fee
  • Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
  • Travel Insurance
What to Expect

Unpack Once!

Explore places of interest, beauty, heritage and wonder. Enjoy active guided sightseeing on relaxed-pace trips to revel in the history, landscapes, architecture and culture of your chosen destination. Our knowledgeable leaders will provide fascinating detail to bring it all to life. Travel between locations by mini-coach or public transport following a carefully planned itinerary.

  • Accommodation at a country house hotel
  • Full Board Meals – from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
  • Knowledgeable leader
  • Transport between locations
Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Day

You’re welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. (D)

Accommodation: Freshwater Bay House

Day 2Osborne House and Carisbrooke

In the morning, you will visit the ornate terrace gardens of Osborne House which were renovated between 2016 and 2017 as part of a wider conservation project. You will explore around the Victorian walled garden with its espaliered fruit trees, wander through the parkland with its historic trees, many of which have been planted by Prince Albert as well as enjoying the stunning sea views.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Princess Beatrice Garden at Carisbrooke Castle. The Garden is an Edwardian-inspired garden which is set within Princess Beatrice’s privy gardens. The garden is celebrating 10 years of opening at Carisbrooke Castle. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Freshwater Bay House

Day 3Ventnor Botanic Garden and Mottistone Manor

In the morning, you will visit Ventnor Botanic Garden which boasts an impressive collection of sub-tropical plants and trees and its planting is based on geographical regions of the world. Its unique microclimate is on average 5 degrees warmer than mainland UK.

In the afternoon, you will visit Mottistone Manor and its magical gardens set within a sheltered valley. The 20th Century garden follows a Mediterranean style of planting scheme which takes advantage of the southerly location. Shrub-filled banks, hidden pathways and colourful herbaceous borders form the surroundings to an attractive Elizabethan manor house. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Freshwater Bay House

Day 4Departure Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)

Dates and Prices
Departure Dates Per person (single or twin) Single in a double room
2021: May 22 $1,060 $1,180
2021: September 4 $1,060 $1,180

Dates shown in green are guaranteed departures.

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on single/twin/double occupancy.

Supplement applied for single in a double room.

Rates are in $ CAD. Rates include room upgrade and membership fees. 


Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline. We can assist in your travel to/from the Country House.

During your Discovery Tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit many fascinating places. The following is our provisional programme, and your leader may adjust it at their discretion, taking into account factors such as weather, local opening times, or other events. This holiday includes active sightseeing and you should expect to spend lots of time on your feet.

Most admissions to places of interest are not included. Please allow up to £10 per day for admissions to all the places of interest we will be visiting. The full adult price is given but there are usually good reductions for parties and seniors. If you are a member of the National Trust, English Heritage or similar, remember to bring your card for free admission to their properties. Please bring cash as card machines are not always available at all venues.

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Travel Details:
Address is: Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight PO40 9RB

By Rail:
The nearest train station is Lymington Pier on the mainland. This is immediately adjacent to the ferry terminal.

By Ferry:
The Wightlink Lymington to Yarmouth ferry is the most convenient for Freshwater Bay. Alternatively the Red Funnel Southampton to East Cowes ferry is often the cheapest option if you want to take your car to the Isle of Wight

By Taxi:
It is possible to get a taxi to Freshwater Bay House. The 5-mile journey from Yarmouth ferry port takes approximately 15 minutes. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, Alpha Cars. As a guide price, it cost £20 per 4-seat taxi in 2019. 8-seat taxis are also available at a higher rate. Please pre-book your taxi at least 7 days in advance by contacting:

Alpha Cars*
Tel: +44 (0) 1983 280280
Email: rogerc@alphaiow.co.uk
The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Freshwater Bay House Manager.
*Alpha Cars is not owned or managed by us.

By Car:
From Yarmouth turn right out of the ferry terminal onto the A3054 and over the bridge across the River Yar. After 1 mile turn left down Pixley Hill, signposted to Freshwater Bay. Turn left at Freswater Garage and continue along Afton road. At the Lifeboat station turn right and follow the road round passing the Albion Hotel on the left. The entrance to Freshwater Bay House is the next driveway on your left.

From East Cowes: Follow signs for Newport following A3021 and then A3054. Continue through Newport and Carisbrooke. Turn left onto the B3401 through Calbourne. At the T junction with Afton Road (A3055) turn left and then right by the Lifeboat station and follow the road round passing the Albion Hotel on the left. The entrance to Freshwater Bay House is the next driveway on your left.

Alternatively leave your car on the mainland and travel to the Isle of Wight as a foot passenger. There is a pay and display car park at Lymington Pier – price approximately £8.50 per day.

Hotel Descriptions
4

Freshwater Bay House

Holidaying on the picturesque Isle of Wight doesn’t get any better than at Freshwater Bay House. Stood atop the island’s classic white cliffs and dominating the bay that it is named after, Freshwater Bay House has a gorgeous location. As well as 43 bedrooms, many decked out in blue and white printed wallpaper featuring foam-tipped waves breaking softly across the walls that act as a promise of the coastal scenery to come, there are three lounges and a friendly bar. Extensive gardens give on to the coast path, with a staircase that drops to the beach one way, while a path leads away across Tennyson Down towards the Needles in the other direction. If you’re experiencing some of the island’s plentiful sunshine (it averages around 2,000 hours a year), head to Alum Bay for coloured sands or Compton Bay for dinosaur footprints. Explore Carisbrooke Castle, stroll through Ventnor Botanic Gardens and keep an eye out for red squirrels in Borthwood Copse and America Wood.

Address: Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight PO40 9RB

Room Amenities: Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi

Stay in one of the main building’s bright, beautifully presented rooms, many that come with sea views. They’re mostly spacious and chic, styled to acknowledge the house’s nautical connections but with a modern twist of dove greys, clean whites and contemporary furniture. With 43 bedrooms, Freshwater Bay House has plenty of space and there’s a range of Good, Better and Best Rooms to choose from: Rooms 19 and 20 on the first floor come with spectacular sea views out over the English Channel; Rooms 18 and 22 are sumptuous corner rooms with expansive views over both the bay and Tennyson Downs. If it’s a room with a view you’re after, ask for Room 24, a superb, spacious corner space with five large windows all overlooking the gardens and bay, with its own private sitting room to relax in. Request Room 39 on the second floor and you’ll get an attractive corner room complete with a bath to soak in after a day of coastal walking.

All ‘Good’ rooms are ensuite and furnished to a high standard. There are also several ‘Better’ and ‘Best’ Rooms that are either larger or have a desirable view, a more luxurious mattress, larger television, enhanced toiletries and a fluffy bathrobe & slippers.

Hotel Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, extensive garden, outdoor swimming pool, multi-purpose activity room, lounges, library and board games to borrow

After a day walking on the coast, come back to the house and its specially tailored walkers’ facilities. Relax by sitting in the extensive gardens or challenge a fellow guest to a game of croquet. If you’re visiting with children, turn them loose in the outdoor playground area or watch them splash in the large heated alfresco pool – there’s seating with sea views for you to enjoy a drink in too on a hot English summer’s day. For something less strenuous, snag a comfy chair in one of the three cosy lounges to read a book, play a board game or just hideaway; there’s a grand piano in one if you’re feeling musical. Head to the bar before dinner to perch on a tall stool with a perfect gin and tonic made with the Isle of Wight’s very own Mermaids Gin and a chance to catch up with your companions.

Map

Photos
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