A Small Ship Cruise of the UK, Iconic Remote Gardens and Royal Heritage

Arrive in London before 5.00 pm. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening and get to know your fellow travellers.

Visit West Green House, a historic English gem, that blends 18th-century charm with contemporary design. Explore enchanting walled gardens, a grand water staircase, and a Nymphaeum Fountain. Owned by Marilyn Abbott, an Australian garden designer, who was the visionary behind the transformation of West Green House Garden. With a passion for English gardens and a flair for dramatic design, she breathed new life into the historic estate. Enjoy lunch before continuing to Portsmouth. Here we embark our ship, MS Hebridean Sky, our home for the next fourteen nights.

Our ship anchors this morning in the port of Fowey. From here, we make our way to The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the seat of the Tremayne family for more than 400 years. Heligan is one of England’s most mysterious estates and has a fascinating history. Today, it’s home to the gloriously restored, award-winning and internationally acclaimed botanical gardens. Spend the afternoon in Fowey, wandering along its famous winding alleyways. See the historic St Catherine’s Castle and Polruan Castle, which both guarded the entrance to the harbour as the Spanish Armada loomed large.

Spend the day on the Isles of Scilly, an archipelago of five inhabited islands and around 140 other islands that offer sanctuary to seabirds and other wildlife. Depending upon the weather and sea conditions, we plan to visit traffic-free Tresco. Walk along idyllic lanes that take us from the shore to the celebrated subtropical Abbey Gardens. The gardens are home to more than 20,000 species of plants from at least 80 countries. Perhaps visit the Valhalla collection of ship figureheads from vessels wrecked along the islands or simply relax and take in the scenery. From here, we may hope to land on St Agnes, the UK’s most south-westerly community. Set out on coastal walks across this small island, which is surrounded by rocks and reefs. Across a narrow sandbar we find the tiny island of Gugh, where a stone monolith known as the ‘Old Man of Gugh’ dates back to the Bronze Age.

After a morning at sea, we arrive at Holyhead, the largest town in the county of Anglesey. A choice awaits this afternoon: Visit the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds at South Stack. The beautiful but fragile maritime sward, farmland and heathland is set along a stretch of dramatic sea cliffs. A choice of walks includes the chance to see Ellin’s Tower, a Victorian folly and South Stack lighthouse built in 1809, or perhaps spot  dolphins frolicking in the waters below. Alternatively, drive the short distance to Plas Cadnant, a hidden, historic garden, which is slowly being uncovered. Three different gardens have been discovered here, including an unusual walled garden with curving walls and a pool, a secret valley garden with three waterfalls and a river, and an upper woodland garden with stone outcrops and the remains of a 19th century folly. In 1997, work began to restore the gardens, which had not been maintained for more than 70 years. They have since been restored to their former glory.

Explore the Lake District during a choice of tours. Along the lower reaches of the River Kent stands what has been described as ‘one of the wonders of Lakeland’. Levens Hall, a remarkable Elizabethan mansion, has an intriguing past, with links to the Duke of Wellington. A tour of the house will take you through rooms lined with carved oak panelling, ornate plasterwork, as well as Elizabethan furniture and paintings. Then take a stroll through the gardens, featuring what is said to be the world’s oldest topiary. Along with more than 100 unique topiary pieces, the gardens have many vibrant plants. Alternatively, drive along the banks of Lake Windermere towards Rydal Mount, former home of one of England’s most celebrated poets, William Wordsworth. Ascend to Wordsworth’s attic study; his place of work when he reluctantly agreed to become Poet Laureate. Noted for his love of flowers, he had a keen eye for design and was also a skilled landscape gardener. Wander the property’s gardens, which remain much as Wordsworth designed them.

This morning, we make our way to the famous gardens at Mount Stewart, planted in the 1920s by Edith, Lady Londonderry. The magnificent series of outdoor ‘rooms’ and vibrant parterres here contain many rare plants that thrive in the mild climate of the Ards Peninsula. Its wooded areas support a range of plants from around the world. Explore the property’s opulent house, which reveals fascinating artefacts and artwork. We will also be able to take in striking views of Strangford Lough from the Temple of the Winds. Return to the ship for lunch, with the afternoon free to relax on board. Discover Belfast at your own pace and perhaps stop in at the Titanic Experience. Located beside the site of the ship’s construction, this museum tells the story of the Titanic from her conception through to construction and launch in 1911.

Our ship moors in Armadale and we head to Clan Donald Centre, a 20,000-acre highland estate featuring the ruins of Armadale Castle, along with a museum displaying 1,500 years’ worth of the area’s history and culture. Explore the gardens and walking trails across 40 acres of woodland which surrounds the castle. Keep watch for some of the resident wildlife, including red deer. This afternoon, arrive at the awe-inspiring Knoydart Peninsula, whose village of Inverie is the largest settlement in mainland Britain without a connecting road. Take a walk through the surrounding forest, admiring views of Loch Nevis. Alternatively, explore the town and visit the Old Forge, which is listed as mainland Britain’s most remote pub.

This morning, we visit one of Scotland’s premier gardens, Inverewe. This botanical garden in the northwest Highlands presents an amazing collection of exotic trees and shrubs that are sheltered by native pine. Take the opportunity to explore independently before we return to the MS Hebridean Sky and sail to the Summer Isles. Isle Martin is an uninhabited island within Loch Broom, along Scotland’s west coast. During the 1980s and 1990s, it became the site of a reforestation experiment by ecologists, with native woodlands planted that now flourish and increase the fertility of the soil, while encouraging biodiversity. In 1999, the island was handed over to the community. Enjoy a warm welcome from local volunteers and learn about the work done to promote the wellbeing of the landscape, as well as the community and its traditions.

Sail across the northernmost shores of the Scottish mainland and arrive in the small settlement of Scrabster. From here, we travel to the Castle and Gardens of Mey. Built between 1566 and 1572, the castle was purchased by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, in 1952, who renovated and restored it and created the beautiful gardens we see today. Alternatively, take a drive along the coast to John O’Groats, the most northerly town on mainland Britain. After enjoying some free time here, return to the ship via Dunnet Bay, an idyllic setting whose waters are complemented by sweeping sand dunes. At Dunnet Head, see the local lighthouse and take in views over Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands.

From our berth in Aberdeen, we take the road through charming Royal Deeside to Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate. Regarded by many as Scotland’s finest castle and garden, it is steeped in history and notable for its famed16th-century painted ceilings, oak panelling, and other antiquities. Enjoy its collection of exotic shrubs, along with the herbaceous borders and ancient yew hedge. Return to the ship for lunch, followed by an afternoon to explore Aberdeen independently. Alternatively, join a full-day tour to Balmoral Castle, purchased for the Royal Family by Prince Albert in 1852 – it has been their highland home ever since. Stroll through the three acres of formal garden, including Victorian greenhouses and vegetable gardens, before visiting the castle ballroom and the stable exhibitions.

Returning to England, we leave the ship in the Port of Tyne for a day in Northumberland. You can choose to visit Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England, after Windsor Castle. Home to the Dukes of Northumberland since 1309, it is currently occupied by the 12th Duke and Duchess and their family. The Castle’s origins date back to Norman times. Having withstood many battles since, it remains one of North-East England’s most iconic landmarks. Behind its imposing walls are lavish state rooms and an enviable collection of fine art, including paintings by Van Dyck, Canaletto, and Titian. Alternatively, drive inland to Hadrian’s Wall. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1987, Hadrian’s Wall is the most significant monument built by the Romans in Britain. It once represented the northernmost reach of the Roman Empire within Britain. The seven-metre-high stone wall includes turrets, castles and forts built at regular intervals. Continue to Chesters Roman Fort, the best-preserved example of a Roman cavalry fort in Britain. At the nearby Clayton Museum, learn about John Clayton, the antiquarian renowned for his work in the excavation of the site.

Cruise England’s eastern coast to arrive in the seaside town of Great Yarmouth. After lunch, you may like to visit the Norfolk Broads, a national park with 125 miles of waterways interspersed with charming villages. Board a local boat and spend a couple of hours enjoying the passing scenery while keeping an eye out for the resident wildlife, including otters and an array of birds. Alternatively, drive to Mannington Estate, whose 15th-century hall has retained its medieval appearance. The hall is surrounded by the Heritage Rose Garden, which has more than 1,000 varieties of roses, as well as a wildflower meadow and ancient woodland. Perhaps follow the trail past native and exotic tree species to see the Saxon church.

A short drive from the port of Dover brings us to Dover Castle, built soon after 1066 and the site of royal intrigue and epic sieges. Spend the morning exploring at your own pace. Perhaps visit the underground tunnels used in “Operation Dynamo”, the Dunkirk evacuation. Alternatively, climb the Great Tower, built by King Henry II, filled with art and furnishings from the medieval period. Afterwards, drive a short distance to arrive at Walmer Castle and Gardens. Built on the orders of Henry VIII to defend England’s southern shores, Walmer Castle later became home to the Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports, among them the Duke of Wellington and the Queen Mother. A tour of the house includes a look at some of the private rooms, before we head out to see the property’s eight acres of gardens. Here, we find a mix of formal and informal styles, including grand scale herbaceous planting, a kitchen garden, and natural woodlands.

Renowned as the sailing capital of the UK, Cowes is our gateway to the Isle of Wight. Arriving during lunch, we leave the ship to spend the afternoon on the island. While here, you may wish to visit Osborne House, the holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Built between 1845 and 1851, it was responsible for the introduction of the Italianate style of architecture to the island. Inside, admire sumptuous state rooms, ornate architecture, and a fine art collection. Outside, enjoy the walled garden, the woodland walk, and the private beach. Or take in views across the Solent strait from the garden’s terraces. Alternatively, drive across the island to the Mottistone Gardens and Estate, set within an area of outstanding natural beauty. Our visit may coincide with the rose garden in bloom and the shell pink Bonica rose. You will also see the organic kitchen garden and walk through the orchard and garden terraces to admire sea views. For those keen on taking a walk you may wish to visit the nearby Longstone, a sandstone pillar with a mysterious history. We anchor in Cowes overnight.

After arriving in Portsmouth this morning, disembark and transfer back to London. Our tour concludes with a drop-off to the post-tour hotel at approximately 11.00 am.