Magnificent Gardens and Houses

Day 1

We make our way this morning to Tyntesfield House and Gardens. At its heart Tyntesfield is a Victorian country house and estate, which serves as a backdrop to the remarkable story of four generations of the Gibbs family. Their tale charts the accumulation of wealth from the guano trade, transformation of a Georgian house to a Victorian Gothic masterpiece and the collection of over 70,000 objects.

Outside the house, the kitchen garden is a delight and the formal gardens are one of the highlights too. Beyond this, the Trust owns around 500 acres of estate, and there are numerous walks in woodland and parkland to enjoy.

We check into our hotel situated in the centre of Wells overlooking its Cathedral late afternoon. Dinner is served in the Restaurant this evening.

Day 2

Today we visit Hestercombe House and Gardens. A stunning, 50-acre complex of gardens and a 16th Century country house on the edge of the Quantock Hills.Spanning three centuries of garden design it features a Georgian Landscape Garden (designed 1750s), the Victorian Shrubbery, and the Edwardian Formal Gardens (early 1900s) which are the result of a partnership between Gertrud Jekyll and Sir Edward Lutyen.

The secret landscape garden, which Coplestone Warre Bampfylde laid out in the late 18th century lay undiscovered for more than 100 years and boasts acres of lakes, temples, combes and woodlands that lay undiscovered for more than 100 years. The house was bought by the Hestercombe Trust in 2013 from Somerset County Council for a mere £1 and now has many uses, mainly as home to Hestercombe Gallery, Gift Shop and a second-hand Book Shop as well as a functions and weddings venue.

We return to our hotel to freshen up for dinner this evening.

Day 3

We depart Wells and make our way to Stourhead Estare. Amidst the rolling hills of Wiltshire lies the world-famous landscape garden of Stourhead. Described as a ‘living work of art’ when it first opened in 1740, Stourhead stands as a paradise in an already beautiful part of the country. Stourhead house has been modified by many generations of the Hoare family, and today remains the main attraction at the Stourhead Estate. Some of the highlights include the library, the Pope’s cabinet, Chippendale the Younger’s furniture, and a vast collection of paintings.

We commence our journey home late afternoon.

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included