A Palace and a variety of Plants
Claire, our account manager for private groups, set off earlier on Sunday to visit Hampton Court Palace before the Steve Reed Group Buyer Forum at RHS Wisley on Monday.
Arriving in the sunny south and doing an unscheduled drive through Hampton, she finally started her tour of Hampton Court Palace, heading straight to the Privy Garden with stunning views of the Thames, she found the Great Vine (no not Jeremy or Tim), the oldest vine in the world. The Orange Quarter was a dazzling array of colour with tulips, hyacinths and more plants she didn’t know the names of.
Collecting the new audio guide and listening to the stories of a by gone era, she entered the Palace. The first stop was at Young Henry VIII’s story, continuing to the kitchens, wine cellars and apartments, discovering the splendour of a day at court, even being stopped by Princess Caroline with her box of chocolate.
The tour of the gardens, without the audio guide, continued with views of Home Park, the Royal Tennis Court, the beautiful wilderness leading to the fun filled Magic Garden. Claire didn’t attempt the maze – not without sat-nav! Ending the day tired, she took the horse-drawn charabanc ride, enjoying the groom’s recounts.
Following a wonderful day, Claire checked in to the Holiday Inn Kingston South. This modern riverside hotel offers comfort with friendly staff. Joining the hosts Steve & Judith, the manager of the hotel and other delegates, she enjoyed a buffet dinner before a show round of the hotel.
The Group Forum took place at the Hillside Event Centre at RHS Wisley. A busy morning took place with Claire speaking to lots of group organisers and fellow exhibitors, before an afternoon of exploring the gardens.
RHS Wisley is one of the world’s great gardens and strolling through the grounds Claire understood why. From the Herb Garden smelling the scents of the mint and curry leaves to the orchard and the fruit mount down to the Glasshouse, the boarders are a riot of colour. The annual orchid display at the Glasshouse was on – a-must-see with its 300 vandas suspended from the roof.
Ending the visit inspired Claire, visited the plant centre and treated her garden to a few new plants.
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- RHS Wisley
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- The Glasshouse at RHS Wisley
The two amazing places can be done on the following tours:
