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Garden Holidays in Guernsey, Herm & Sark
 

Gardens of Guernsey, Herm & Sark 27 May - 1 June 2012 Fully booked

Download the brochure: Guernsey, Herm & Sark 2012

Home to Castle Cornet, St Peter Port and the famous dairy cows, Guernsey is an explorer’s paradise with many woodland walks, cliff-top trails and stunning flower-filled gardens waiting to be discovered.

Guernsey... Just a short ferry crossing from home, Guernsey is an eternal favourite with ramblers, foodies, garden enthusiasts and everyone in-between. Its rocky cliffs, temperate climate and stunning scenery provide the perfect backdrop to a relaxing gardener's holiday.

During our 6-day trip we visit some of the best private gardens on the island of Guernsey, passing through a selection of the Parishes which make up the separate districts. Grange Court Gardens is a gem of a garden, set in the heart of St Peter Port. This 2-acre site is laid out as 3 distinct areas - a rose garden with folly wall; an informal gar-den planted with exotics and a grouping of rare plants and shrubs leading to a restored Victorian vinery.

La Petite Vallee is also in St Peter Port and has many styles, levels and views. This 3-acre garden has a wealth of rare and unusual plants, with a water cascade that flows down a staircase and along the lower terrace before winding around the garden and splashing down a water-fall to a Koi pond. In the Parish of St Pierre du Bois lies Mille Fleurs Gar-dens, set in a peaceful wooded conservation valley. Much of the planting in this 3-acre site has been chosen with wildlife in mind. Roses, clematis and numerous perennials frame the arches and doorways, accompanying a natural spring and ponds surrounded by giant gunneras.

We also visit the orchid fields of St Andrews Parish, managed by the Guernsey National Trust.

Islands of Herm & Sark... We have planned two optional excursions to the tiny islands of Sark and Herm during our trip. Traffic is prohibited on these islands so a trip here is like stepping back in time, where a laid-back vibe and horse-drawn carts are the everyday norm.

Despite its size, Sark punches well above its weight by boasting some of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world, with mile upon mile of rugged cliff tops and wildflower meadows. During our trip we visit the formal gardens of La Seigneurie, with its stone walls, Victorian glasshouse and hedge maze.

Just 20 minutes by ferry yet truly 'off the beaten track', delightful Herm is an island with stunning bays and glorious gardens, which our guide - Herm's Head Gardener - will point out to us during our private tour.

Accommodation... During our trip to Guernsey, Herm & Sark we stay at the St Pierre Park Hotel, a wonderful 4* residence situated in acres of lush parkland, woodland and lakes.

Whether you prefer the challenge of the 9-hole golf course, the indoor swimming pool complex or the hotel’s health spa, this is one of the best places to stay in Guernsey. As well as impressive facilities, the hotel offers accommodation of the very highest standards. Each room has a private balcony or terrace, with many overlooking the grounds.

Cost: £765 per person | Single supplement: £140 per person

Included:

• 5 nights half-board at the 4* St Pierre Park Hotel
• Return flights from East Midlands (Other regional flights available on request)
• Return transfers in Guernsey
• 2 day tours of private gardens including transport, admissions & some refreshments
• 2 optional tours to Herm & Sark
• Services of Tour Director throughout holiday

The Herm & Sark tours are optional extras - details will be sent with holiday information pack.