Gardens Illustrated: The Netherlands
The Netherlands is famous for its horticultural excellence and known for its innovations at the forefront of garden design. Throughout this tour we are introduced to leading names in Dutch horticulture and garden design and explore some of the sources of inspiration for their work, such as the gardens of the late Mien Ruys and the magnificent historic, restored grounds of Paleis Het Loo. We have carefully selected two fine hotels for our stay: Kasteel Engelenburg, a country house surrounded by parkland and woods, and The Dylan, which offers a haven of style and tranquillity in a beautiful part of Amsterdam.
Your Tour Includes
- Return flights from London to Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport
- 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 4-star Kasteel Engelenburg, Brummen
- 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 5-star Hotel Dylan, Amsterdam
- 4 evening meals with wine at the hotel plus 5 lunches
- Services of the Tour Leader and Hosts
- Detailed programme and garden notes
Keith Wiley
Keith Wiley was head gardener/manager at The Garden House, a 10-acre garden on the edge of Dartmoor between 1978-2003, where his creations were described as ‘one of the most exciting and innovative gardens in Britain today’. Keith has lectured widely on both sides of the Atlantic and is a regular contributor to horticultural and lifestyle magazines. He has written 3 books 'On the Wild Side', 'Shade' and 'Designing & Planting a Woodland Garden'.
Sophie Piebenga
Born in The Netherlands and based in the Cotswolds, our expert Sophie Piebenga has lived most of her life in the UK. Trained with the National Trust and qualified at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, all whilst working as head gardener of a private estate, Sophie quickly developed a particular interest in the conservation of historic gardens. This eventually led to a doctoral study at the University of York, researching the work of the early Victorian landscape gardener, William Sawrey Gilpin. Sophie has since worked freelance, mostly in the field of historic landscape conservation, and, for the last 25 years, has regularly led Boxwood tours around the UK and to Ireland, France, Spain and The Netherlands.
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Overview
We depart London Heathrow at 08:40 to Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, arriving at 11:00. We start with two gardens by Piet Oudolf. One is laid out for a private art museum, the Singer Museum in Laren, where lunch is included. The second is a public park just outside Utrecht, De Vlinderhof in Maxima Park. At both sites the grasses will be at their best. We then travel eastwards to arrive to a warm welcome at Kasteel Engelenburg, where we will dine together.
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Overview
We start with a guided tour of The Royal Palace Gardens of Het Loo. The huge and faithfully restored late 17th century formal parterre gardens offer a wonderful, compact tapestry of colour and form. Further north are the gardens of Mien Ruys (1904-1999) who was one of the most influential garden architects of the 20th century. A light lunch is included today. We return to Kasteel Engelenburg for dinner.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Today is filled with the vibrant colour of dahlias and other autumn flowers viewed in three private gardens. Firstly, we visit De Beukenhof, a garden crafted from farmland by professional gardener and passionate plantswoman Ellen Lubbers. Next is De Boschhoeve with its large, enclosed kitchen garden, nursery, and shop – lunch is included here. Finally, we venture to De Boomgaard, where Marieke Nolsen runs floristry courses using materials provided by her extensive cut flower garden. We then travel on to The Dylan Hotel where we dine together this evening.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
We spend a day in the company of Amsterdam-based garden designer Robert Broekema, starting with a guided tour of Museum van Loon, a 17th century canal house with its own fine, contemporary garden. Over coffee, Robert will introduce us to the development of Amsterdam before taking us to several very private canal gardens in the vicinity. A canal cruise on an historic, elegant salon boat with a light lunch included will reveal the rich variety of Amsterdam canal houses. This evening we will dine at the renowned De Kas Restaurant, a stylish restaurant created from the ruins of a 1920s municipal glasshouse: there will be a set meal of wonderful locally grown seasonal vegetables and organic produce.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
After free time in Amsterdam, we journey to De Theetuin for lunch, home of leading garden designer Jacqueline van der Kloet. Afterwards there is time to explore the densely planted garden, laid out on one of the bastions of the fortified town of Weesp and surrounded by water. Return to Amsterdam Schiphol International airport for a 17:35 departure to London.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Single Room Supplement from £290.00 (5 days).
Accommodation
You will stay for two nights at the Kasteel Engelenburg and two nights at the Hotel Dylan.
Kasteel Engelenburg
Engelenburg Castle is a country house set amidst 250 acres of landscaped gardens, a golf course and a private forest near Arnhem and Apeldoorn. Located in the garden of Amsterdam, close to the National Park Hoge Veluwe, and no more than 75 minutes by car or train from Amsterdam airport, Engelenburg Castle is renowned for being a superb golf hotel, intimate conference and meeting venue, romantic wedding location and attractive place for a weekend break. There are 41 ensuite bedrooms, each with its own distinctive character, sumptuous decor, and a fine view over either the beautiful hotel gardens or the golf course.
Hotel Facilities
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Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Free Wifi
General
- Restaurant
Hotel
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
The Dylan
Boutique hotel The Dylan is a 17th-century town house on the Keizersgracht with individually designed rooms offering a haven of style and tranquillity in the heart of Amsterdam. The area is full of small shops, canals, bridges, elegant leaning town houses and plenty of bicycles. The Dylan has a fitness centre, a massage service, a garden with terrace, a lounge and a bar. All rooms have luxurious bathrooms, a bathrobe and slippers, and free Wi-Fi.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 5 Star
- Restaurant
Room
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
Hotel
- Restaurant
