Essex – Gardens, Tower, Cruise & Jam!

• Coach travel
• 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast
• entrance to Layer Marney Tower
• entrance to Beth Chatto Gardens
• entrance to RHS Garden Hyde Hall
• visit to Tiptree Jam Museum & cream tea
• River Deben cruise

Day 1 Morning departure for the journey to Colchester and the hotel for a four night stay.

Days 2 to 4 We have included the following excursions:

• A visit to Layer Marney Tower, England’s tallest Tudor Gatehouse, standing within the Essex landscape with commanding views to the River Blackwater. With almost 500 years of history, this Grade I listed building, built in red brick and some of the finest Italianate terracotta has many stories to tell.

  NB Although there are a lot of steps to the top of the Tower, it is a very gentle climb and plenty of stopping off points on the way. This afternoon, journey to Waldringfield to board MV Jahan for a two hour cruise on the River Deben.

• Morning visit to Beth Chatto Gardens, which was created from wasteland in the 1960’s. This collection of informal themed gardens includes everything from a Gravel Garden of unirrigated plants, a shady woodland garden and a serene water garden to wander around. This afternoon continue on to Frinton-on-Sea, a charming coastal town, with a beautiful sandy beach, tree lined avenues and elegant promenade lined with beach huts.

• Travel to RHS Garden Hyde Hall, a haven in the heart of rural Essex. Highlights include a beautiful hilltop garden, rose garden and a fascinating Mediterranean-inspired Dry Garden. After lunch you will travel to Tiptree Jam Museum, shop and tea rooms for a short tour of the museum followed by a cream tea before returning to the hotel.

Day 5 After breakfast, depart the hotel and journey to Polhill Garden Centre before commencing the journey home