2026 CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW, LONDON,
THE COTSWOLDS AND OXFORD
May 17 - 27, 2026
Sold out! But consider this itinerary for your own private group.
$ 8852 Per person, double-occupancy
Attention all horticulturalists, gardeners, nature lovers and Anglophiles!
See our itinerary bloom below
THE COTSWOLDS AND OXFORD
May 17 - 27, 2026
Sold out! But consider this itinerary for your own private group.
$ 8852 Per person, double-occupancy
Attention all horticulturalists, gardeners, nature lovers and Anglophiles!
See our itinerary bloom below
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Please join Tour Director Sandy Gregory for this wonderful adventure through England, or contact us to help you create your own independent travel experience with our Concierge Travel Services.
Suggested time to travel: June - August |
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London and the English Countryside Tour:
4 nights London 2 nights at a luxury castle in the Cotswolds 2 nights Oxford 2 nights London |
Day 1: Sun, May 17: Arrive London |
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Your greeter will be waiting for you outside of baggage claim to take you to our hotel. Please book your flights so you arrive in London sometime in the morning so you can be transferred to the hotel, check your bags and enjoy an included afternoon tea, with a selection of succulent finger sandwiches, delicate pastries, scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, as well as a choice of freshly baked cakes. And prosecco, of course!
HOTEL: May 16 - 21 with included breakfast.
The afternoon will be yours to relax, have a nap and get rid of a little jet lag.
Included Welcome Dinner Cruise on the Thames
HOTEL: May 16 - 21 with included breakfast.
The afternoon will be yours to relax, have a nap and get rid of a little jet lag.
Included Welcome Dinner Cruise on the Thames
Day 2: Mon, May 18: A Day at RHS Wisley |
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RHS Wisley is located near the towns of Woking and Guildford in Surrey, in the South East of England. Spanning 240 acres, RHS Garden Wisley is both the historic home of RHS and a glorious garden of the future, thanks to a planet-friendly research centre, RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science. With our private guide, we will learn about the vital work and ground-breaking research being done by teams at the RHS to help future-proof our planet.
Discover fruit and vegetables of all shapes and sizes in the World Food Garden, sit and reflect in the Wellbeing Garden, or spot insects in the Wildlife Garden. Take in the heady scents in the Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden, and gaze up in wonder in the tropical Glasshouse.
Our day will include a 2-course lunch amidst the gardens and then be transferred back to the hotel.
The rest of the day and evening are yours to enjoy at your leisure.
Discover fruit and vegetables of all shapes and sizes in the World Food Garden, sit and reflect in the Wellbeing Garden, or spot insects in the Wildlife Garden. Take in the heady scents in the Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden, and gaze up in wonder in the tropical Glasshouse.
Our day will include a 2-course lunch amidst the gardens and then be transferred back to the hotel.
The rest of the day and evening are yours to enjoy at your leisure.
Day 3: Tues, May 19: Chelsea Flower Show. RHS Members’ Day |
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Full day at your leisure at the Chelsea Flower Show.
I have not put the RHS Royal Horticultural Society membership and admissions to the Chelsea Flower Show in the tour price, as everyone needs to join separately and purchase their own tickets. Detailed instructions will be included in your Registration
The show is open 8 - 8 so the day and evening is yours to enjoy.
I have not put the RHS Royal Horticultural Society membership and admissions to the Chelsea Flower Show in the tour price, as everyone needs to join separately and purchase their own tickets. Detailed instructions will be included in your Registration
The show is open 8 - 8 so the day and evening is yours to enjoy.
Day 4: Wed, May 20: A London Day: A Proper British Breakfast, The Victoria and Albert Museum, a little retail therapy and The Food Court at Harrods |
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We will start our day with included breakfast at The Wolseley. A true marker of British culinary heritage and a favorite with London’s celebrity set, the Wolseley is a cross between the traditional robustness of a Parisian brasserie and the gloriously grand but cosy comfort of Viennese café.
Once we are fortified, we will hop back on the Tube and meet our guide at The Victoria and Albert Museum. The V&A is my favorite. It’s the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects. It has lots of great fashion exhibits as well as furniture, metal working and sculpture.
After our tour and plenty of time at your leisure to explore the museum, it’s not a far walk to Harrods. You will have time for some serious retail therapy before we can all meet back again at the Food Court. Harrods has a fantastic market and food court (really) with gold-dusted dates, Ladurée macarons, steak, oysters, a caviar bar, fish bar, truffles, rotisserie and a wonderful market to bring home the Walkers Shortbread. Dinner will not be included as you will want to make your own luscious choices.
There is a taxi stand at Harrods so you can go back to the hotel whenever you would like.
Once we are fortified, we will hop back on the Tube and meet our guide at The Victoria and Albert Museum. The V&A is my favorite. It’s the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects. It has lots of great fashion exhibits as well as furniture, metal working and sculpture.
After our tour and plenty of time at your leisure to explore the museum, it’s not a far walk to Harrods. You will have time for some serious retail therapy before we can all meet back again at the Food Court. Harrods has a fantastic market and food court (really) with gold-dusted dates, Ladurée macarons, steak, oysters, a caviar bar, fish bar, truffles, rotisserie and a wonderful market to bring home the Walkers Shortbread. Dinner will not be included as you will want to make your own luscious choices.
There is a taxi stand at Harrods so you can go back to the hotel whenever you would like.
Day 5: Thurs, May 21: Highgrove Garden Tour with 2-course lunch and then on to our castle |
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Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla call Highgrove their private residence. While the house remains off-limits to the public, they open the gates to the enchanting gardens between April and October each year. This allows visitors to experience the beauty and inspiration that Their Majesties hold so dear.
Over the past 40 years, a series of interlinked gardens have blossomed at Highgrove, each reflecting The King’s artistic touch and nurtured with imagination and passion. Managed organically and with sustainability in mind, these havens have become vital habitats for diverse wildlife.
In 2021, stewardship of Highgrove Gardens passed to The King’s Foundation. The Foundation, established in 2018 through a merger of several of His Majesty’s previous charitable endeavors, also oversees other properties like Dumfries House, The Castle and Gardens of Mey, and The Garrison Chapel. A Garden Tour is a truly memorable way to experience the beauty and tranquility of Highgrove.
Highgrove Gardens comprise a varied collection of landscapes, from the genteel environs of the Sundial Garden to the unstructured beauty of the Wildflower Meadow. There is much to discover in this extraordinary collection, a garden over 35 years in the making, created with passion, vision, and dedication by HM King Charles III.
11:00: Our Tour: We will join our expert guide for a 1½-hour tour of the Gardens, where you’ll discover the King’s passion for horticulture and conservation. Explore the unique and enchanting areas, including the magical Stumpery, the whimsical Thyme Walk, and the Chelsea award-winning Carpet Garden.
1:00: Your Highgrove Gardens tour includes a delicious two-course lunch in the Orchard Room Restaurant.
We will have time to enjoy the gardens and browse in the Highgrove Shop, where you’ll find a selection of bespoke Highgrove products, including special edition artworks.
4:00: We are then off to the Cotswolds and a special treat: 2 nights at a luxurious 5-star castle. This one-of-a-kind destination, forged of imposing stone walls and steeped in palatial luxury, is an enduring testament to Tudor history, when royalty reigned supreme. The castle was originally conceived and constructed by Edward Stafford, the only man to rival King Henry VIII’s wealth and status at that time.
Our lavish bedchambers will welcome us for a bit of a repose before we dine on an included 3-course feast. Perhaps one might like to step foot into the shoes of a Tudor and dress up in available costumes whilst enjoying a pre-dinner historical tour and stroll in the gardens.
Over the past 40 years, a series of interlinked gardens have blossomed at Highgrove, each reflecting The King’s artistic touch and nurtured with imagination and passion. Managed organically and with sustainability in mind, these havens have become vital habitats for diverse wildlife.
In 2021, stewardship of Highgrove Gardens passed to The King’s Foundation. The Foundation, established in 2018 through a merger of several of His Majesty’s previous charitable endeavors, also oversees other properties like Dumfries House, The Castle and Gardens of Mey, and The Garrison Chapel. A Garden Tour is a truly memorable way to experience the beauty and tranquility of Highgrove.
Highgrove Gardens comprise a varied collection of landscapes, from the genteel environs of the Sundial Garden to the unstructured beauty of the Wildflower Meadow. There is much to discover in this extraordinary collection, a garden over 35 years in the making, created with passion, vision, and dedication by HM King Charles III.
11:00: Our Tour: We will join our expert guide for a 1½-hour tour of the Gardens, where you’ll discover the King’s passion for horticulture and conservation. Explore the unique and enchanting areas, including the magical Stumpery, the whimsical Thyme Walk, and the Chelsea award-winning Carpet Garden.
1:00: Your Highgrove Gardens tour includes a delicious two-course lunch in the Orchard Room Restaurant.
We will have time to enjoy the gardens and browse in the Highgrove Shop, where you’ll find a selection of bespoke Highgrove products, including special edition artworks.
4:00: We are then off to the Cotswolds and a special treat: 2 nights at a luxurious 5-star castle. This one-of-a-kind destination, forged of imposing stone walls and steeped in palatial luxury, is an enduring testament to Tudor history, when royalty reigned supreme. The castle was originally conceived and constructed by Edward Stafford, the only man to rival King Henry VIII’s wealth and status at that time.
Our lavish bedchambers will welcome us for a bit of a repose before we dine on an included 3-course feast. Perhaps one might like to step foot into the shoes of a Tudor and dress up in available costumes whilst enjoying a pre-dinner historical tour and stroll in the gardens.
Day 6: Fri, May 22: A Day in the Cotswolds |
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This morning we're off to the British countryside to explore the hidden villages of the Cotswolds. Today is all about a relaxing drive, quaint villages, beautiful gardens and pretty pictures.
Spend the end of the day enjoying the castle grounds and dinner at the hotel again.
Optional: Archery? Carriage Ride around the property and countryside?
Spend the end of the day enjoying the castle grounds and dinner at the hotel again.
Optional: Archery? Carriage Ride around the property and countryside?
Day 7: Sat, May 23: To Oxford |
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Morning transfer and afternoon walking tour of Oxford
We’ll begin our day at Oxford College, where you will learn about the history of the city, the university an its famous alumni. We’ll go inside the oldest college dining hall, chapel, cloisters, quadrangles, the Bodleian Library, New College and Divinity School.
Included river cruise and dinner at Folly’s in Oxford
Overnight in Oxford.
We’ll begin our day at Oxford College, where you will learn about the history of the city, the university an its famous alumni. We’ll go inside the oldest college dining hall, chapel, cloisters, quadrangles, the Bodleian Library, New College and Divinity School.
Included river cruise and dinner at Folly’s in Oxford
Overnight in Oxford.
Day 8: Sun, May 24: To Blenheim Palace |
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Just a few miles north of Oxford is Blenheim Palace, a world heritage site, home of the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
Private tour of the Palace and then free time to enjoy the rest of the Palace and Gardens. Sir Winston Churchill was born in the Palace in 1874 and a permanent exhibition about him is located next to his birth room. He is buried in a simple grave in the nearby church at Bladon. A separate exhibition, ‘Churchill’s’ Destiny - the story of two great war leaders’, celebrates the achievements of Winston and his great hero and ancestor, John Churchill.
The rest of the day and evening are yours to enjoy this fun city at your leisure.
Overnight in Oxford
Private tour of the Palace and then free time to enjoy the rest of the Palace and Gardens. Sir Winston Churchill was born in the Palace in 1874 and a permanent exhibition about him is located next to his birth room. He is buried in a simple grave in the nearby church at Bladon. A separate exhibition, ‘Churchill’s’ Destiny - the story of two great war leaders’, celebrates the achievements of Winston and his great hero and ancestor, John Churchill.
The rest of the day and evening are yours to enjoy this fun city at your leisure.
Overnight in Oxford
Day 9: Mon, May 25: Back to London with a stop at Kew Gardens and Sydon House |
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Kew Gardens is a globally significant botanical institution and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s renowned for its extensive and diverse collection of living plants, herbarium specimens, and botanical research. Its importance stems from its contributions to plant science, biodiversity conservation and its role as an historical and cultural landmark. We are then on for a tour of Sydon House, the spectacular home of the Duke of Northumberland that boasts a very colorful history.
Overnight in London. May 25 - 27.
Included Cocktails and Dinner. It’s a short, 10 minute walk to Russell Square, where we will begin our evening with cocktail journey that immerses you in the sensory phenomenon of synaesthesia. Inspired by the perception of colour through taste, their creative cocktail menu features 12 expertly crafted cocktails (and some mocktails) each embodying the unique essence of a different hue. Explore how each colour stirs emotions, evokes memories, and delivers distinct flavours. We are then on to Included Dinner.
Overnight in London. May 25 - 27.
Included Cocktails and Dinner. It’s a short, 10 minute walk to Russell Square, where we will begin our evening with cocktail journey that immerses you in the sensory phenomenon of synaesthesia. Inspired by the perception of colour through taste, their creative cocktail menu features 12 expertly crafted cocktails (and some mocktails) each embodying the unique essence of a different hue. Explore how each colour stirs emotions, evokes memories, and delivers distinct flavours. We are then on to Included Dinner.
Day 10: May 26: A Day in London at Your Leisure |
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The day is yours to enjoy. Let us know if you might be interested in visiting:
• Along the Thames: We'll first make a stop at St. Paul’s, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London and sits at the highest point of the City of London. From there we cross the Millenium Bridge to Shakespeare’s Globe and stroll along the Thames to Borrough Market. We can make our way through the many international food stalls, or enjoy a traditional English roast with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings. After lunch, we'll go to one of the oldest pubs in London right under The London Tower Bridge.
London Tower Bridge has stood over the River Thames since 1894. As well as being one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, it is one of the most visited attractions in London and continues to be a working bridge to this day. In that area is also HMS Belfast which tells the stories of those who lived on board the former Royal Navy warship, which was home to a crew of up to 950 men. Explore nine decks of seafaring history and hear sailors’ experiences of battle from the Second World War and beyond – including the convoys in icy Arctic conditions and the 404 days spent patrolling the waters during the Korean War.
• The Royal Parks and Palaces: Understanding the British Monarchy. Through a thousand years of history, the British monarchy has moved from the center of power to ceremonial periphery, a movement vividly illustrated by the style and geographical placement of the remaining royal palaces and the parks that surround them. While these parks remain opulent reminders of the power and sway of the monarchy, they largely remain as historical and ceremonial reminders of how Britain has evolved from absolute monarchy to a democracy. During this private tour, we’ll learn about some of the most important parks and palaces in the city, including St. James’s Park, St. James’s Palace, Hyde Park and Clarence House. You can also add to this tour a visit to the Royals Mews and end at Queen Victoria’s birth place: Kensington Palace, where you can finish at the L'Orangery for lunch.
• Parliament Square: We’ll begin our tour at Westminster Abbey. This beautiful Gothic church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and owns the most important collection of monumental sculpture anywhere in Britain. The Abbey’s history is made up of famous Kings and Queens, as well as renowned poets and priests – even heroes and villains were embroiled in its past! We’re then on to Parliament Square to see the statue of Winston Churchill and learn more about Parliament and time to stop nearby for a pub lunch (not included). After lunch, we’re on to the Churchill War Rooms. Your tour includes skip the line entry to the secret underground headquarters of the War Cabinet during WW2. This part of the tour is best explored via their excellent audio guide. This way, you will be able to tour the site at your leisure. Spend an hour or spend the rest of the afternoon.
• The British Library. When it comes to size, the British Library wins big. The collection is so vast that if a visitor looked at five items a day, it would take 80,000 years to view the entire collection. The Magna Carta, the Gutenberg Bible, Leonardo da Vinci’s Notebook and original Beatles manuscripts are just a small sampling of the unique books and sacred texts on display.
• Historic Saville Row, including Churchill's tailors, hat maker and favorite cigar shop
• Trafalgar Square is the home of the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery
• The British Museum
Tonight: Included Farewell Dinner and Theater in Covent Gardens. Performance TBD.
Overnight in London
• Along the Thames: We'll first make a stop at St. Paul’s, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London and sits at the highest point of the City of London. From there we cross the Millenium Bridge to Shakespeare’s Globe and stroll along the Thames to Borrough Market. We can make our way through the many international food stalls, or enjoy a traditional English roast with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings. After lunch, we'll go to one of the oldest pubs in London right under The London Tower Bridge.
London Tower Bridge has stood over the River Thames since 1894. As well as being one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, it is one of the most visited attractions in London and continues to be a working bridge to this day. In that area is also HMS Belfast which tells the stories of those who lived on board the former Royal Navy warship, which was home to a crew of up to 950 men. Explore nine decks of seafaring history and hear sailors’ experiences of battle from the Second World War and beyond – including the convoys in icy Arctic conditions and the 404 days spent patrolling the waters during the Korean War.
• The Royal Parks and Palaces: Understanding the British Monarchy. Through a thousand years of history, the British monarchy has moved from the center of power to ceremonial periphery, a movement vividly illustrated by the style and geographical placement of the remaining royal palaces and the parks that surround them. While these parks remain opulent reminders of the power and sway of the monarchy, they largely remain as historical and ceremonial reminders of how Britain has evolved from absolute monarchy to a democracy. During this private tour, we’ll learn about some of the most important parks and palaces in the city, including St. James’s Park, St. James’s Palace, Hyde Park and Clarence House. You can also add to this tour a visit to the Royals Mews and end at Queen Victoria’s birth place: Kensington Palace, where you can finish at the L'Orangery for lunch.
• Parliament Square: We’ll begin our tour at Westminster Abbey. This beautiful Gothic church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and owns the most important collection of monumental sculpture anywhere in Britain. The Abbey’s history is made up of famous Kings and Queens, as well as renowned poets and priests – even heroes and villains were embroiled in its past! We’re then on to Parliament Square to see the statue of Winston Churchill and learn more about Parliament and time to stop nearby for a pub lunch (not included). After lunch, we’re on to the Churchill War Rooms. Your tour includes skip the line entry to the secret underground headquarters of the War Cabinet during WW2. This part of the tour is best explored via their excellent audio guide. This way, you will be able to tour the site at your leisure. Spend an hour or spend the rest of the afternoon.
• The British Library. When it comes to size, the British Library wins big. The collection is so vast that if a visitor looked at five items a day, it would take 80,000 years to view the entire collection. The Magna Carta, the Gutenberg Bible, Leonardo da Vinci’s Notebook and original Beatles manuscripts are just a small sampling of the unique books and sacred texts on display.
• Historic Saville Row, including Churchill's tailors, hat maker and favorite cigar shop
• Trafalgar Square is the home of the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery
• The British Museum
Tonight: Included Farewell Dinner and Theater in Covent Gardens. Performance TBD.
Overnight in London
Day 11: May 27: Flights out. |
Included transfers to the airport