Southern Lake District Garden Tour 2022

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From$2,650 pp
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7 Nights
Availability : May 27 - Only one departure
Start: Monk Coniston, Coniston, Cumbria, England
End: Monk Coniston, Coniston, Cumbria, England
Southern Lake District Garden Tour: 7 nights based at Monk Coniston, Conistonwater, Cambria, Southern Lake District

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or [email protected] to book.

Join a horticultural pilgrimage to see the many and varied gardens of the Lake District. Some of the gardens visited hold national plant collections while others are noted for their unique features. The trip includes visits to Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top garden, John Ruskin’s Brantwood, the famous topiary gardens at Levens Hall and Sizergh Castle with its limestone rock garden. There’s also Muncaster Castle with its large rhododendron collection, the exotic plants of Holker Hall and the Grade II-listed gardens of Askham Hall.

DetailItineraryDates & PricesHotel DescriptionMapPhotos
Tour Details

Highlights:

  • Visit one of the nations favourite gardens Holehird, with 3 national plant collections: Astillbe, Hydranger and Polystichum
  • Admire the stunning topiary gardens at Levens Hall
  • Explore one of Europe’s largest collection of Sino-Himalayan Rhododendrons at Muncaster Castle  
  • Discover the typical Lakeland gardens of John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter

Pick Up Location & TIme

Monk Coniston, Coniston, Cumbria LA21 8AQ (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 upgraded accommodation at Monk Coniston
  • 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
  • All admission costs including those for English Heritage, National Trust, and RHS Gardens

Meals

  • 7 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 7 dinners
  • 0 teas

Price Excludes

  • Airfare
  • Transfers
  • Pre / Post hotel nights
  • Travel to/from the Country Hotel (The nearest railway stations is Windermere)
  • Admissions to some venues with stately homes/houses which incur a separate admission fee (please allow approx. £10 per day for entrances)
  • 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

As you’ll be walking around the gardens please bring solid, comfortable footwear for rough, wet or uneven terrain in gardens, and clothes for the great British weather! Please also expect to spend most of the day on your feet exploring the gardens you visit.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Day

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

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 2Holehird, Hill Top & Brantwood

Firstly we visit the Lakeland Horticultural Society’s garden Holehird, voted one of the nation’s favourite. The society maintains three national collections: astilbe, hydrangea and polystichum. We then cross Windermere by ferry to see Beatrix Potters’ Hill Top garden and Brantwood, the former home of keen gardener, John Ruskin. Set in a 250-acre woodland estate, there are seven different mountainside gardens with great views over Coniston.
Please note that both today’s gardens are on hillsides and the terrain may be rough underfoot. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 3Levens Hall & Sizergh Castle

Levens Hall is famous for its topiary gardens which were laid out in 1694 by G Beaumont (who trained at Versailles). The garden features England’s first ha-ha, and one of the UK’s top 50 trees. Next is Sizergh Castle (National Trust), which is famous for its limestone rock garden, started in the 1920’s by Hayes of Ambleside. It has many mature acers and heathers, and half the national collection of hardy ferns. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 4Free day

A free day for you to explore the local area or to relax in the Country House. Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 5Muncaster Castle

We visit Muncaster Castle, set in 70 acres. The 6th baronet subscribed to the Ludlow, Sheriff and Kingdon-Ward botanical expeditions. The collection of Sino-Himalayan rhododendron was considered the largest in Europe. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 6Holker Hall & NGS's Yewbarrow

Our first stop is the picturesque village of Cartmel, which has a medieval church and the remains of a medieval priory. Then comes Holker Hall, where the highlights of our tour are the many rare, exotic plants that thrive in the mild micro-climate. Next is Grange-over-Sands by Morecambe Bay. Here we visit the first NGS garden, Yewbarrow. Once a typical English country garden, in the past ten years it has been transformed by the owner. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 7Hutton-in-the-Forest & Askham Hall

Our first visit takes us to see the superb and historic gardens at Hutton-in-the-Forest, where elaborate gardens were planted from the 17th century. Then it’s on to the Grade II-listed gardens of Askham Hall with its colourful terraces, a 230ft herbaceous border, kitchen garden, formal lawns, woodland, meadows and ponds. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 8Departure 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
2022: May 27 $2,650 $2,930

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 (better) and membership fees. 


Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or [email protected] 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: Monk Coniston, Coniston, Cumbria LA21 8AQ

By Rail:
The nearest train station is at Windermere.

By Taxi:
The 13-mile journey from Windermere railway station takes approximately 30 minutes. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, Ace Taxi. As a guide price, it cost £25 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:

Ace Taxi*
Tel: +44 (0) 1539 445445
Email: [email protected]
The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Monk Coniston Manager.
*Ace Taxi is not owned or managed by us.

By Bus:
From Windermere station you can catch the 505 bus direct to Monk Coniston – the bus stop is right outside our Country House. Journey time is around 50 minutes.

By Car:
From Ambleside take the A593 signposted to Coniston. Turn sharp left over a narrow bridge, then after half a mile turn left onto the B5286, signposted to Hawkshead. About 3 miles along this road, and just before Hawkshead, turn right onto the B5285, signposted to Coniston. Follow this road over Hawkshead Hill. The road descends then goes around a 180° bend to the left. The entrance to Monk Coniston is on the left about 100yds after the bend. There is car parking available within the grounds.

Hotel Descriptions
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Monk Coniston

Wrapped in manicured gardens with stunning views over Coniston Water, Monk Coniston combines country house grandeur and romantic, gothic-style charm with contemporary touches to great effect among the rugged landscapes of the Lake District. Rocky mountains and grassy fells loom all around this handsome home, once owned by Beatrix Potter, and more latterly turned hikers’ hotel and owned by the National Trust. Fell-flecked scenery unfurls from the windows of the bedrooms in the main house, adjoining cottage and counting house. While the setting remains traditional and the grand entrance recalls a traditional era, the interiors have been swept into the present with bold patterns and comfy fabrics. Beyond the house, trails from the doorstep set off to explore the Lake District. Climb famous summits including Bow Fell, the Langdale Pikes and the Old Man of Coniston. Bag a series of Wainwright summits. Alternatively, slip into the beautiful valleys and stroll picturesque lakeside paths in search of secret corners such as Cathedral Cove in Little Langdale.

Address: Monk Coniston, Coniston, Cumbria LA21 8AQ

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

Stay in the smartly presented rooms in the main house. With 32 rooms, Monk Coniston has plenty of space and there’s a range of Good, Better and Best Rooms to choose from. Rooms with a view are well worth the extra spend as you’ll be overlooking the gardens or the lake.  Our favourite is Room 9 on the first floor, which contains some of the original features from when it was first built in 1885, a striking sailboat-patterned wallpaper and opens on to beautiful views of the gardens and fields that slope down to the shore of Coniston Water.

All ‘Good’ rooms are ensuite and furnished to a high standard. There are also several ‘Better’ 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, lounge, bar, Lakeland barn for activities, library and board games to borrow

After a day exploring the Lake District, return to the house. Stroll through the extensive grounds with their putting green and croquet lawn and uncover the hidden walled garden on the hill behind the house. Take a turn around the National Trust nature trail and look out for the fabulous, rare mature trees. Stumble on the small secret folly stood quietly among the bluebells when they’re out and the lush green grass when they’re not. Catch up with fellow guests in the bright and spacious lounge or grab a drink from the airy bar and wander down the garden to the bench overlooking Coniston Water for the perfect place to enjoy a sundowner – you might even spot the restored steam yacht Gondola cruising the five-mile length of the lake. After hours, duck into the converted Lakeland barn with its exposed beams and rustic chandelier for evening activities and skittles.

Map

Photos

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