Harrogate Autumn Flower Show Including visits to Barnsdale Gardens, York and RHS Harlow Carr.

We depart Sussex and make our way north. Having made a suitable comfort stop we arrive at Barnsdale Gardens. The Gardens were designed by Geoff Hamilton, who presented BBC Gardener's World from 1979 until his death in 1996. Barnsdale was a Victorian farmhouse with 5 acres of pastureland when he found the property in 1984. Hamilton was interested in making gardening affordable by offering practical ideas for gardeners to recreate at home and encouraging the inventive reuse of materials. The gardens include a rose garden, Japanese garden, rock garden, knot garden, kitchen garden, bog garden and orchard.  Barnsdale’s award-winning collection of 38 individually themed garden ‘rooms’ will delight and inspire any gardener or garden-lover. There is planting for every condition and aspect plus the famous productive gardens which now supply the Barnsdale Tea Room. Later in the afternoon we continue to Harrogate.

This morning we make our way to York where we spend the day. We are met by a Blue Badge Guide who will take us on a tour of this Historic city, partly by coach and partly on foot.  This afternoon you are free to spend time exploring at your leisure. With so many interesting things to see and do you can decide yourself depending on your own interests. You may choose the famous railway museum or the historic Minster, The Jorvik Centre or, if the day is fine, a pleasant boat trip on the Ouse. Later in the day we return to Harrogate.

Today we visit The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, one of the most prestigious shows in the flower show calendar, which is being held at the lovely Newby Hall whose own gardens are themselves delightful. The show features beautiful show gardens, live entertainment and the biggest exhibition by florists and flower arrangers in the country. Nestling on the side of the River Ure, between Harrogate and Ripon, Newby Hall is one of the finest stately homes designed by the famous 18th Century architect Robert Adam. Its herbaceous borders are among the longest in Europe and were created by the late Major Edward Compton as the centrepiece for some 25 acres of award-winning gardens, designed and planted as ‘rooms’ to provide year-round interest. The borders have recently been completely replanted in beautiful pastel shades and will be in their full glory for the flower show! Among Newby’s 15 different ‘rooms’ are a rose garden, water garden, tropical garden, white garden, rock garden, woodland garden and, of course, an autumn garden where hydrangea, salvia, sedum, echinacea, verbena and some 800 dahlias provide one last hurrah until the first frosts of October

Today we visit RHS Harlow Carr Garden one of Yorkshire’s most relaxing and innovative gardens situated at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, RHS Harlow Carr is a showcase of horticultural excellence all year round!  Wonder through the tranquil surroundings of this stunning 58 acre garden and gain ideas for your own borders. Find year-round inspiration along the dramatic Main Borders where the RHS experts have chosen contemporary planting to suit the challenging growing conditions. Pick up the latest tips and growing techniques in the beautiful Kitchen Garden, where raised beds, fruit trees and a forager’s garden have been laid out with thoughtful design and ornamental aspects to create a truly unique and inspirational growing space. Saunter along the lush Streamside Garden, unearth hidden treasures in the Woodland and take glorious deep breaths in the magical Scented Garden, with its focus on roses. The extensive RHS Harlow Carr Plant Centre & Shop is home to a generous array of books, home wares and gifts, as well as a large plant selection with knowledgeable staff on hand.

After breakfast we commence our journey back to Sussex. Having made a suitable stop we arrive in Stamford for an extended lunch break before continuing our journey to Sussex. We expect to be back in the Maresfield area by approximately 18.00