“The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives.” Gertrude Jekyll
Introduction
Our coach outings to gardens and garden shows are enjoyed by all who join them and are seen by the committee as an important feature of CSGGA. Not only do these trips enable us to be inspired by beautiful gardens, they are also a great way to meet old friends and make new ones.
How to book - please click here for booking conditions
Our coach outings to gardens and garden shows are enjoyed by all who join them and are seen by the committee as an important feature of CSGGA. Not only do these trips enable us to be inspired by beautiful gardens, they are also a great way to meet old friends and make new ones.
How to book - please click here for booking conditions
Prices shown are those for CSGGA Members. There are sometimes places available for non-members but the price may differ. If you are not yet a member of the Gardens Association but wish to enquire about making a booking please click here
Members should see their Newsletter for who to contact to make a booking. Final details regarding timings, etc. will be notified approximately a week before the outing is due to take place.
Members should see their Newsletter for who to contact to make a booking. Final details regarding timings, etc. will be notified approximately a week before the outing is due to take place.
Outings for 2024:
Thursday, 28th November - Blenheim Palace Christmas Light Trail
Click here for booking form
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This year we are visiting the Outdoor Illuminated Light Trail and Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace, but not the house.
We aim to get to the Christmas Market which has the usual food, drink & gift stalls for 2.30pm. There is also an ice rink and fairground with rides and you can buy the ride tokens at the site. This will allow plenty of time before we meet at the start of the Illuminated Light Trail at 4.15pm. The Illuminated Light Trail at Blenheim, this year, will take about 60-90 minutes to walk the 2.98 km - there is intermittent seating. We will be picked up by the coach to leave at 6pm. Please ensure you have sufficient warm and waterproof clothing. You are strongly advised to wear sturdy shoes as the Illuminated Outdoor Light Trail takes place on natural paths covering areas of uneven ground and variable terrain. The organisers suggest a torch too, that may be used in emergencies.
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Monday, 15th July - Nymans, Haywards Heath
Click here for full details and a booking form
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Described as "a garden lovers' home for all seasons, with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins" Nymans was one of the first gardens the National Trust took on in 1953. It was developed by three generations of the Messel family and is a grade II listed 600acre estate. Ludwig Messel and James Comber, his head gardener, created new cultivars - The Nyman Collection. The family visited in spring and summer and this is when the Rose Garden, the Herbaceous borders, the Terrace and the South African meadow are at their best. The woodland has three circular walks-1.2km,2.4km & 4km but sturdy footwear would be required.
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The cost for this outing is between £18.00 and £39.00 depending on membership of NT and/or CSGGA or CSPGC.
For information on Nymans please click here
For information on Nymans please click here
Tuesday, 4th June – Chelsea Physic Garden and Kew Gardens
Chelsea Physic Garden is a four-acre green space, focused entirely on medicinal, herbal and useful plants. It has been a teaching garden for over 350 years and was created as an outdoor classroom to train apprentices of the Worshipful Company of Apothecaries.
We will have two guides for 40 people max in two group tours lasting an hour from 11am, costing £2.25pp if fully subscribed.
We will be travelling onto Kew at 12.15pm to give everyone the opportunity of eating lunch there.
Kew Gardens surely needs very little by way of introduction: these world famous botanical gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), covering 300 acres, include so much to see: a treetop walkway, lake crossing, the Hive, an alpine house, palm house, rose garden, rock garden… to name but a few. To help with getting round this amazing garden, you can pay £6.50 when you arrive to travel on the Kew Explorer Land Train which takes about 40 minutes to go the whole way round with stops on the way. There are also, of course, shopping and eating opportunities!
Cost: the total cost for this outing is £43 (concessions) or £45 (adults) which covers entrance to both gardens and the coach (including driver’s gratuity). Guests pay an extra £5 and may be invited two weeks after members have been notified. The Chelsea Physic Garden Tour is an extra £2.25 if fully subscribed (final cost and payment instructions given when confirmation of tour is made to applicants).
The deadline for applications is MONDAY 20TH MAY 2024.
We will have two guides for 40 people max in two group tours lasting an hour from 11am, costing £2.25pp if fully subscribed.
We will be travelling onto Kew at 12.15pm to give everyone the opportunity of eating lunch there.
Kew Gardens surely needs very little by way of introduction: these world famous botanical gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), covering 300 acres, include so much to see: a treetop walkway, lake crossing, the Hive, an alpine house, palm house, rose garden, rock garden… to name but a few. To help with getting round this amazing garden, you can pay £6.50 when you arrive to travel on the Kew Explorer Land Train which takes about 40 minutes to go the whole way round with stops on the way. There are also, of course, shopping and eating opportunities!
Cost: the total cost for this outing is £43 (concessions) or £45 (adults) which covers entrance to both gardens and the coach (including driver’s gratuity). Guests pay an extra £5 and may be invited two weeks after members have been notified. The Chelsea Physic Garden Tour is an extra £2.25 if fully subscribed (final cost and payment instructions given when confirmation of tour is made to applicants).
The deadline for applications is MONDAY 20TH MAY 2024.
- Departing Chalfont St Giles Village Green at 09.15am and then onto Chalfont St Peter, leaving at 09.30am
- Depart Chelsea Physic Garden for Kew at 12.15pm.
- Depart for CSG 4pm.
Hampton Court Tulip Festival - Thursday 25th April, 2024
Click here for full details and booking form
Over 100,000 tulip bulbs erupt in colour in one of the UK’s biggest displays of planted tulips. Celebrate the start of spring with a visit to Hampton Court Palace, as their tulips emerge to herald warmer days to come. There are 60 acres of colourful royal gardens and entry includes access to the Palace buildings.
Admire the blooming display pouring out of the Tudor wine fountain, wander through the gardens to see the floating tulip vases, and see their rare, historic and specialist varieties inspired by Mary II's famous 17th century collection.
With blooming periods subject to weather, the Palace gardeners predict displays will look their finest around this time.
Depart Chalfont St Giles - 9.30 am
Arrive back - 5.30 Approximately, depending on traffic
Lunch – take a picnic or eat in their café.
Please note that there may be a fair distance from the coach to the Palace and the gardens are well spread out, so be prepared for a lot of walking.
Click here for Hampton Court Website for further details
Admire the blooming display pouring out of the Tudor wine fountain, wander through the gardens to see the floating tulip vases, and see their rare, historic and specialist varieties inspired by Mary II's famous 17th century collection.
With blooming periods subject to weather, the Palace gardeners predict displays will look their finest around this time.
Depart Chalfont St Giles - 9.30 am
Arrive back - 5.30 Approximately, depending on traffic
Lunch – take a picnic or eat in their café.
Please note that there may be a fair distance from the coach to the Palace and the gardens are well spread out, so be prepared for a lot of walking.
Click here for Hampton Court Website for further details
Other Outings Planned for 2024 - Details to follow
We have also booked Highgrove for Friday 30th August. As we had more people interested in this outing than we have places, they were allocated by ballot at the Spring Show.
We are also exploring the feasibility of a visit to Blenheim Palace for their Christmas lights festival.