GW holiday: British Isles garden cruise

Garden Highlights

• Walled Garden of Crathes Castle
• Mount Stewart gardens
• Tresco Abbey Gardens

Your itinerary

• MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER: London Tilbury Join your cruise ship, Ambience, at London Tilbury docks. Enjoy dinner and evening entertainment.
• TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER: At sea Meet your host at the welcome get-together followed by an illustrated talk.
• WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER: Aberdeen The 16th-century Crathes Castle, set within its own glorious gardens, will host our visit today. Explore the Walled Garden and hear from the garden team themselves about their work.
• THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER: Lerwick, Shetland Isles* Take leisurely walks through Lerwick’s winding streets and learn the history of lighthouse-keeping at Bressay Lighthouse.
• FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER: At sea Join your host for an illustrated talk as well as relaxing on board and enjoying the ship’s many activities.
• SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER: Tobermory, Isle of Mull* Take the tender boat ashore for a full day in port. With its quaint charm and picture-perfect colourful houses, you are sure to enjoy exploring Tobermory today.
• SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER: Belfast, Ireland Our focus today will be the formal gardens of Mount Stewart, with a strong Mediterranean feel resembling an Italian villa landscape. Home to plants from all corners of the world, there is something to see, whatever the season.
• MONDAY 15 SEPTEMBER: Liverpool Walk in the footsteps of The Beatles on a Fab Four walking tour or visit iconic sites like the Royal Albert Dock.
• TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER: At sea Gardeners’ Q&A session.
• WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER: Cobh, Ireland We visit this picturesque port town with its rows of candy-coloured houses and Irish hospitality.
• THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER: St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly* Visit Tresco, where some 20,000 exotic species thrive in the sub-tropical climate of the Abbey Gardens. Experienced staff will be available to answer any questions.
• FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER: At sea Enjoy your last day aboard and look forward to the gardeners’ get-together later, with drinks.
• SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER: London Tilbury Arrive early morning. Time for breakfast and farewells before continuing your journey home.

Terms and conditions

This group departure is organised by Connoisseur Travel Service Ltd for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Connoisseur Travel Service Ltd is acting as agent for Ambassador Cruise Lines and is subject to its terms and conditions. Please note all tours and places of interest mentioned, apart from the three Included tours, are not included in the cruise fare and may be visited on optional tours. The experts hosting any of our cruises are subject to personal circumstances permitting. *Tender port. We plan to visit the gardens and ports mentioned in the itinerary however we reserve the right to change a visit should circumstances become necessary. All prices were correct at the time of going to print. E&OE