Gardens of Kent and Essex with Ciscoe Morris July 18th to 27th, 2026
A garden tour through Kent and Essex offers a delightful journey through the diverse landscape and horticultural heritage of southeast England. Here’s a example of some of the gardens we’ll experience:
Sissinghurst Castle Garden: This world-renowned garden, created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, showcases a series of distinct garden rooms, each with its own character and planting scheme. Highlights include the White Garden, the Rose Garden (with over 300 types of old roses), and the Cottage Garden.
Hever Castle & Gardens: Explore the impressive gardens surrounding Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. The Italian Garden, Rose Garden, Tudor Herb Garden, and Water Maze are all worth a visit.
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens: These renowned gardens, created by the gardener Beth Chatto, showcase creative and themed planting, with woodland and water areas.
The Gardens of Easton Lodge: Discover lush ornamental gardens dating back to the Tudor era, including a walled garden and a large lily pond.
Dates: July 18th to 27th, 2026
Price: $6,400 per person (double occupancy)
Single Supplement: $1,400
Maximum Guests: 14
Join Seattle’s beloved radio and TV personality, Ciscoe Morris, on a 10-day exploration through the stunning gardens, historic and cultural sites of Kent, Essex, and Norfolk. Stately Homes, Historic Castles, Natural Scenic Beauty, and the unique show gardens at RHS Sandringham.
Tour Highlights:
Included in Your Journey:
- 9 Nights’ Accommodations
- Motor Coach Transportation
- 6 Dinners, 1 Lunch, Breakfast Each Morning
- Admissions to gardens, cultural and Historic sites as indicated
- Fun and Games with Ciscoe Morris
Friday, July 17th, 2026
Depart the USA for London’s Heathrow Airport. Morning arrivals (prior to noon), will be met and transported by motor coach to Royal Tunbridge Wells, our County Kent base for the first three nights of this tour.
Saturday, July 18th
Arrive London prior to Noon. We’ll meet our coach and driver and be on the road by noon for a late afternoon arrival at the hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells. We’ll drop into RHS Wisley Gardens for a picnic lunch for the groups and an afternoon tour of the garden. You’ll have some time in town in the late afternoon. We’ll meet near the hotel this evening for dinner. Overnight Tunbridge Wells (LD)
Sunday, July 19th
Start the day out with a walking tour of Royal Tunbridge Wells. We’ll enjoy a visit and tour of the castle and gardens at Hever Castle, the royal residence of Henry VIII. We’ll enjoy dinner tonight near the hotel. Overnight Tunbridge Wells (BD)
Monday, July 20th
Two absolutely wonderful garden experiences. Our first visit to the former home of renowned gardener and author Christopher Lloyd, Great Dixter. We’ll travel just a few minutes for a break for lunch at one of the National Trust Premier gardens, Sissinghurst. You’re free to dine at one of two dining options on the site before meeting our guide for a tour of the gardens. Dinner is on your own in town this evening. Overnight Tunbridge Wells (B)
Tuesday, July 21st
We are traveling to the cathedral city of Canterbury today for a two-night stay. We’ll visit the gardens and castle at Scotney Castle, a National Trust site just a few miles from Tunbridge Wells. After our tour, we travel on to the medieval market town of Faversham with a break for lunch, followed by a tour of Shepard Neame Brewery, Britain’s oldest. We’ll continue to Canterbury. We’ll gather just before dinner for a short walking tour of the center and Canterbury Cathedral. Dinner will be near the hotel this evening. Overnight Canterbury (BD)
Wednesday, July 22nd
Two very interesting sites to see this morning. Our first visit is at the Shell Grotto. Free time in the seaside town of Margate before an afternoon visit to a favorite garden of Jane Austen, Goodnestone Park Gardens. A final stop as we near Canterbury on our return for a wine tasting at Simpsons wine Estate. Dinner is on your own this evening. Overnight Canterbury (B)
Thursday, July 23rd
We leave Canterbury this morning and the County of Kent as we make our way north to our final base of touring, Cambridge. We’ll spend a about 2 hours in the morning on an authentic English Canal boat on a journey on the Essex canals and waterways, traveling from Maldon to Heybridge Basin on the Blackwater Estuary. History, outstanding scenery, and nature along with a light lunch.
We continue toward Cambridge with a visit and tour scheduled at Easton Lodge. We’ll arrive at our Cambridge hotel with a few hours of free time before we meet for dinner this evening. Overnight Cambridge (BLD)
Friday, July 24th
The Royal Horticultural Society is hosting major garden shows at historic estates across England. This year, the Sandringham Estate was selected to host as part of an effort to bring the experience closer to residents. We’ll arrive at the event mid-morning and expect to spend a few hours enjoying the display gardens and vendors. Lunch will be on your own there. It’s probable that we will add a visit to one of the NGS gardens open for Charity on our way back to Cambridge. Overnight Cambridge (BD)
Saturday, July 25th
We keep travel to a minimum this morning with a walking tour of Cambridge University, an hour of punting on the Cam, and an afternoon tour of the Cambridge Botanical Garden. Dinner is on your own this evening. Overnight Cambridge (B)
Sunday, July 26th
We depart the hotel just after breakfast for Colchester, England’s first city and a great Viking history. We’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historic center, have lunch on your own, then have an afternoon tour of Beth Chatto’s Garden. We’ll return to our Cambridge hotel with time for shopping or exploring. Tonight is our farewell dinner near the hotel. Overnight Cambridge (BD)
Monday, July 27th
We’re on our way back to Heathrow shortly after breakfast. The drive to Heathrow will take just under two hours from the hotel. Guests should schedule their return flights no earlier than 3:00 PM. Heathrow Express is a convenient train service from Heathrow to Paddington Station in Central London for anyone wishing to extend their stay in the capital city. (B)
Flight suggestions
Flights from Seattle, including any seat fees, should run under $1400. Keep tabs on google flights or Kayak.com for seat sales. You want to arrive in London/Heathrow on July 18th before noon and depart from London/Heathrow after 3:00 PM on July 26th.
Pricing is $6400 per person, based on double or twin occupancy. The single supplement is $1400. You can save $200 per person by paying by check in lieu of credit card. The initial deposit is $2000 per person to confirm your space on the tour. Balance is due February 1st, 2026.
Make Your Reservation!
If you have any questions about this tour, please contact Brad Cilley at brad@nwtravel.com or by phone at 425 375 2676.