Gardens of Wicklow

Gardens of Wicklow

Gardens of WicklowIreland
GuidedGuided
33 Nights
Nights
-
B&B

    Your Guided Group Holiday To Wicklow

    Uncover best of Wicklow with us and enjoy a holiday to the ‘the garden of Ireland’. On this 3-night garden break in Wicklow, enjoy a trip to Mount Usher Gardens, one of only three Irish gardens with a top rating from the UK's 'The Good Gardens Guide' and it's one of Monty Don's favourite gardens in the world! Another highlight will be exploring Powerscourt, one of Ireland's Ancient East top attractions. Within its 47 acre estate, there are themed gardens containing a variety of shrubs, trees and flowers; and with the Sugarloaf Mountain set against the background, it's no wonder to be considered to be one of world's greatest gardens. We'll visit not only two of the best-known public gardens but many private gardens, some of which are open on occasions and others which are opening exclusively for our group. For reasons of privacy, we have agreed to keep both the names of garden and owner out of our advertising for this tour – some lovely surprises for those who book on it! This garden holiday is a fantastic opportunity to discover some of the best-known gardens in Wicklow. 

    Trip Itinerary

    Activity Level 2

    Activity Level: Leisurely

    What does this level mean?

    Day

    Private Garden Visit, Mount Usher Gardens and The Dower House Garden

    1

    Private Garden Visit & Mount Usher Gardens

    We depart today, with our expert gardener Frances,  from The Alex Hotel in Dublin for a private visit to a beautiful garden of one of Ireland’s top flower arrangers where there is an emphasis on shrubs and flowers that she uses for her floral artistry. Next we visit Mount Usher Gardens with free time for lunch (under own arrangements) in the Avoca Café before enjoying a walk around this renowned garden.

    The Dower House Gardens

    Time: AfternoonAfternoon

    Our journey continues onwards to The Dower House Gardens which were laid out towards the end of the 19th century and include a number of specimen mature trees, including a fine Chilean myrtle, Luma apiculta, planted c.1880. A white garden has been created together with a wild meadow and The Dower House has been described by many journalists as one of “Wicklow’s finest gardens”

    Following our visit we travel to our hotel in Arklow in the late afternoon where we’ll dine together as a group.

    Powerscourt House & Gardens and Trudder Grange Gardens

    2

    Powerscourt House & Gardens

    Time: MorningMorning

    Following a leisurely breakfast we depart our hotel for a visit to one of the most famous gardens in Ireland – Powerscourt Gardens which spread over 47 acres and offer visitors formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statues and ornamental lakes, secret hollows and rambling walks. The gardens were designed from 1731 onwards to blend with the surrounding landscape and include The Walled Gardens, The Italian Garden, The Dolphin Pond, The Japanese Garden, Pets Cemetery and Pepperpot Tower, among its attractions.

    Trudder Grange Gardens

    Time: AfternoonAfternoon

    Our day continues with a visit to Trudder Grange Gardens which has developed over the last 30 years from a stony field into a garden full of shrubs and herbaceous borders, an organic vegetable garden and a greenhouse producing many varieties of tomatoes. There is an acre of wild flower meadow in the walled gardens which is planted with unusual specimen trees. Close to the sea, many tender plants grow in this very sheltered garden. We’ll enjoy some refreshments during our visit before returning to our hotel in the afternoon.

    Three Exclusive Private Gardens

    3

    Two Private Gardens

    Time: MorningMorning

    Because of the request for privacy from the owners of today’s three gardens, we will be having a magical mystery tour around Wicklow! This morning we visit two private gardens near Coolgreany before we head to the Arboretum Garden Centre in Kilquade.

    Private Garden Visit

    Time: AfternoonAfternoon

    Following some free time for lunch (at own expense) we will visit a large country garden which is at its peak in July and has some magnificent borders.

    June Blake’s Garden and Hunting Brook Garden

    4

    June Blake’s Garden

    Time: MorningMorning

    After checking out of our hotel we will depart for a morning visit to visit the wonderful garden of June Blake, a palette of colour due to her faultless sense of design and use of plants. The garden is in an idyllic setting, surrounding her sturdy granite house.  We will have some free time for lunch (at own expense) in Blessington.

    Hunting Brook Garden

    Time: AfternoonAfternoon

    This afternoon our journey takes us to Hunting Brook Garden, home to Jimi Blake, June’s brother. A garden nestled in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, Hunting Brook Gardens is made up of five acres of contemporary exotic gardens and fifteen acres of woodland gardens and valley.

    Return to Dublin

    We return to The Alex Hotel, Dublin in the late afternoon after a wonderful few days discovering the ‘Garden of Ireland’.

    * We aim to operate your tour itinerary according to the format shown. Occasionally, local conditions and unexpected events may result in adjustments to the planned schedule. We kindly ask for your understanding and flexibility in the event of any changes.

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    Know before you go

    What if there is an emergency?

    We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.

    Do I need a Visa?

    Please visit our visa page for information on requirements for each country's entry requirements

    Will I be met at the airport?

    You will be met on arrival at your destination airport and transferred to your accommodation. You will be accompanied on all included excursions by your Travel Department guide. Your expert local guide is also available to give you tips and advice on any aspect of your holiday.

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