Thurlestone Hotel Spring Gardens Tour

An opportunity to visit some of the gorgeous gardens in the area from the Mediterranean Style of Overbecks and the Woodland of Lukesland, with its impressive Rhododendrons, to the formal gardens of Cotehele. We will venture to the edge of Dartmoor to see the wisteria clad bridge at the Garden House and cross the river from Dartmouth to visit Greenway, the beautiful garden at the family home of Agatha Christie. As if this was not enough, we will also show you the variety of gardens at Mount Edgecumbe and visit the tranquil Cider House which overlooks the Tavy Valley .

TERMS

13th to 18th May 2007 , Sunday arrival and Friday departure

	Room	With Balcony	Suites	With Balcony
Village View	£600.00	xxxx	£725.00	xxxx
Sea View	£625.00	£665.00	£775.00	xxxx
Deluxe Sea View	£675.00	£715.00	xxxx	£815.00

Terms are per person for the five nights to include dinner, bed and breakfast, Lunches and afternoon teas, coach travel from the hotel to the gardens, entrance fee to all gardens, talks as detailed in the programme attached and VAT @17½ %

*We do have limited single rooms (village views) but if you wish to book a double sea view or deluxe room for single occupancy there would be a 50% single supplement.

(All National Trust members please deduct £10.00 per person from the above terms)

SPRING GARDENS TOUR PROGRAMME

Sunday 13th May 2007

3.30pm Arrival for Devonshire Cream Tea served in the Hotel’s main Lounge.

6.45pm Julie Baugh , Hotel Director, welcomes you and invites you to join her in the Lounge for a welcome drink before dinner.

7.15pm Table d’hôte Dinner is served in the Margaret Amelia Restaurant . Dinner is followed by coffee in the Lounge with an introduction to the gardens with slides

Monday 14th May 2007

From 7.45am Breakfast in the Restaurant.

10.00am Depart from the Hotel to travel to Overbecks (Salcombe) in two small coaches through the extremely steep and narrow lanes.

Overbecks is a Mediterranean-style coastal garden with a profusion of palms, unusual trees and terraces. Set on the hillside between Salcombe and Thurlestone the garden enjoys spectacular views over the sea and estuary.

12.30pm Weather permitting a picnic lunch at the garden, or return to the Hotel for a light lunch.

1.45pm Depart Hotel or Overbecks and travel to Lukesland at Ivybridge

Lukesland is a beautiful woodland garden in a stream-fed valley. This provides perfect conditions for rhododendrons and azaleas, which are magnificent at this time of year.

2.45pm Arrive at Lukesland for an introductory talk by one of the gardeners.

5.15pm Depart Lukesland and return to the hotel, arriving at approximately 6.15pm .

7.00pm- Table d’ Hôte Dinner served at your convenience in the 9.00pm Restaurant

Tuesday 15th May 2007

From 7.45am Breakfast in the Restaurant

9.30am Depart from the Hotel to travel to The Garden House at Yelverton.

Nestling in the Lovecombe Valley , the garden is an 8-acre tapestry of delight with naturalistic planting which allows flowers to intermingle and work in harmony with nature. The Walled Garden has been described as “the most beautiful 1 ½ acres in England ” and is certainly very appealing with its enormous range of plants and colour.

10.30am Arrive at The Garden House for an introductory talk by one of the gardeners.

1.00pm Light lunch in the tearooms.

2.30pm Depart from the Garden House for the short drive to

The Cider House.

The Cider House is a beautiful garden situated in peaceful surrounds overlooking the Tavy Valley where you can enjoy the fantastic rhododendrons, camellias and much more...

2.45pm Arrive at The Cider House for an introductory talk by the owner, Michael Stone.

3.45pm Cream Tea at The Cider House.

5.30pm Depart The Cider House to return to the Hotel, arriving at approximately 6.45pm .

7.30pm - Table d’ Hôte Dinner served at your convenience in the 9.00pm Restaurant.

Wednesday 16th May 2007

From 7.45am Breakfast in the Restaurant

9.15am Depart from the Hotel to travel to Cotehele.

This National Trust property is set on the wooded slopes of the Tamar. The formal gardens and terraces around the medieval house overlook the richly planted valley garden below, which descends to the riverside complete with domed dovecote.

10.30am Arrive at Cotehele for an introductory talk.

1.00pm Light lunch in the Barn Restaurant.

2.15pm Depart Cotehele for Mount Edgecumbe

Enjoy the variety of the different gardens at Mount Edgecumbe along with its collection of unusual trees and national collection of Camellias.

2.45pm Arrive at Mount Edgecumbe .

4.45pm Depart from Mount Edgecumbe and travel back to the Hotel.

7.30pm to Table d’ Hôte Dinner served at your convenience in the 9.00pm Restaurant.

Thursday 17th May 2007

From 7.45am Breakfast in the Restaurant

9.00am Depart from the Hotel to travel via Dartmouth to Greenway at Galmpton.

10.00am Arrive at Dartmouth for ferry crossing to Greenway.

Greenway is a glorious woodland garden on the banks of the Dart estuary, renowned for half-hardy plants under-planted with native wild flowers. Once home to Agatha Christie, the garden has a romantic atmosphere of wilderness and mystery.

10.30am Arrive at Greenway for an introductory talk by one of the gardeners.

1.00pm Light Lunch in the Barn Gallery at Greenway.

2.30pm Depart from Greenway by ferry to Dartmouth .

3.00pm Arrive Dartmouth with time for a short stroll.

3.30pm Coach back to Hotel via the coastal road and Slapton Sands.

4.30pm Arrival at Hotel for cream tea in the garden (weather permitting) or in lounge.

7.30pm Table d’ Hôte Dinner served at your convenience in the 9.00pm Restaurant.

Friday 18th May 2007

From 7.45am Breakfast in the Restaurant  

Please note, this itinerary is subject to change at the Director’s discretion.

Some gardens have awkward paths and steep inclines and may not therefore be suitable for all guests. We recommend wearing sensible walking shoes and wet weather gear.