The 2026 Garden Tour Destinations
From the magnolias of Belgium to Somerset's naturalistic meadows to the sweeping Dales views of Yorkshire. Access private estates, specialist collections, and gardens you won’t find in guidebooks.
Memories From Jimi's Past Tours
“The tours are great fun. I have a smile on my face from morning till night. The dedication and enthusiasm from the garden owners is amazing. It's great to hear their tips and hints and to see what grows in some very trying conditions. There's something for everyone, but beware—the tours and plant-collecting are addictive!”
Ana Croggon
“Fantastic. The gardens were inspirational. What can one say about Great Dixter! But the people we met were a revelation—they treated us with such kindness, shared stories and information, and provided tea and homemade cakes and seeds. We learn a lot, and we had great fun. We are coming back again this year.”
Aurora Aleson
"I found all the garden tours very well put together. So enjoyable and a very friendly group of people. All the gardens had different styles; you found great ideas, and some worked in my garden that I didn't know before. The knowledge you gain is the best."
Noreen Myers
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STEP #2
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Why You Should Go:
At Kimmei, you'll see bamboo and grasses growing exactly as they should: mature, structural, alive in the landscape.
Walk through Herkenrode's woodland collection that Jimi calls the best he's ever seen. Browse the Bokrijk plant fair with nurseries from across Europe.
At each garden, you'll meet the owners or head gardeners.
Ask your questions. See decades of work up close. Three and a half days that'll completely shift how you think about planting.
About This Trip:
Explore Belgium's finest gardens with Jimi Blake. You'll walk through Europe's largest bamboo collection at Kimmei. Stand beneath 2,300+ species at Arboretum Wespelaar. Visit Herkenrode, which Jimi calls the best woodland plant collection he's ever seen.
April 29 - May 2, 2026
€995
6 Private Gardens
3.5 Days
Tour #1: The Gardens Of Belgium
Design, Diversity & Discovery: A Deep Dive Into Belgium’s World-Class Plant Collections At Peak Flowering
We Will Visit These Gardens
Herkenrode
Philippe de Spoelberch's private garden, built from decades of collecting rare trees and shrubs.
Arboretum Wespelaar
A 20-hectare arboretum with over 2,300 species, known for outstanding maple, magnolia and rhododendron collections.
Potager De Wespelaar
Sybille de Spoelberch's 10-hectare garden, combining Wirtz-designed structure with Italianate, Japanese and contemporary spaces.
Bokrijk Arboretum & Plant Fair
A relaxed, spacious arboretum known for its mature trees and wide, easy-to-explore paths.
Kimmei Bamboo & Grass Nursery
A specialist nursery where bamboo and ornamental grasses are grown to full maturity.
Arboretum Kalmthout
12.5-hectare arboretum with a relaxed layout and a huge variety of species.
Why You Should Go:
You'll walk through James Hitchmough's meadow planting at Clayhanger House with nearly 700 species working together. He'll be there, explaining his climate-focused, ecologically driven approach that's shaping modern naturalistic gardens.
At Miserden, you'll stand on terraces overlooking the Cotswolds. See classic English borders at Batcombe House. Discover creative planting at Hodges Barn. Visit mature estates like Ashlington Manor.
You’re sure to walk away with ideas that'll transform how you think about garden design.
About This Trip:
This tour blends classic English gardens with modern, creative planting. This includes a private visit to James Hitchmough's experimental garden. You'll also visit intimate gardens like Caisson, historic estates like Batcombe House, and Miserden's Cotswold terraces.
June 15 - June 18, 2026
€945
6 Private Gardens
3.5 Days
Tour #2: Gardens of Somerset & Gloucestershire
Timeless Design & Modern Flair: An Exclusive Access into Classic English Estates and Private Gardens During Peak Season.
We Will Visit These Gardens
Caisson Gardens
A small garden with big impact. Clean structure, clever planting and a calm, welcoming feel.
Batcombe House Garden
Classic English charm with plenty of movement through borders and views. It feels inviting and lived-in.
Miserden Gardens
Long vistas, stonework, mature trees and borders full of life. Miserden is peaceful, grounded and full of timeless design.
Hodges Garden
A creative, characterful garden with sculptural features and thoughtful plant combinations.
James Hitchmough Private Garden
James Hitchmough's private garden at Clayhanger House is a young, experimental space combining meadow planting with a south-facing garden of nearly 700 species.
Ashlington Manor
Deep mixed borders, mature specimen trees and long seasonal planting interest across a traditional estate setting.
Why You Should Go:
At Cliff Bank Nursery, you'll see propagation and growing techniques up close. York Gate proves one acre can be extraordinary when every corner is designed with precision.
Mount St. John shows Tom Stuart Smith's contemporary design with Yorkshire views stretching beyond. Newby Hall brings scale and generosity. RHS Harlow Carr reveals modern planting trends. Parcevall Hall ends the tour with peaceful hillside terraces.
Meet the owners or head gardeners. See what works in challenging northern climates. Walk away with practical, usable knowledge.
About This Trip:
This tour brings together hands-on learning, thoughtful design and big landscape moments. Yorkshire offers an incredible variety, from intimate Arts & Crafts-style gardens to sweeping estate grounds and hillside terraces.
Aug 17 - Aug 20, 2026
€945
6 Private Gardens
3.5 Days
Tour #3: Gardens Of Yorkshire
Landscapes of Learning & Inspiration: Enjoy Contemporary Design & Historic Beauty In The North Of England
We Will Visit These Gardens
Cliff Bank Nursery
A working nursery specialising in unusual perennials and woodland plants. A great place to learn, ask questions and see propagation in action.
York Gate Garden
Compact, clever and beautifully designed. Every corner offers something to admire or learn from. One of the best small gardens in the UK.
Mount St. John
Contemporary planting with long Yorkshire views designed Tom Stuart Smith. Clean lines, bold perennials and a very confident sense of place.
Newby Hall & Gardens
A generous estate garden with long borders, garden rooms, water features and riverside walks. A full experience and a great contrast to the smaller gardens.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
A large RHS garden full of trials, colour, woodland paths and stream-side planting. Excellent for seeing modern trends in action.
Parcevall Hall Gardens
A peaceful, atmospheric hillside garden with terraces, woodland paths and sweeping Dales views. It's a lovely, grounding end to a full day of exploring.
Meet Your Instructor
Learn From Ireland's Most Celebrated Plantsman
Jimi Blake is the creator and head gardener of Hunting Brook Gardens - a 20-acre paradise featuring Ireland's largest private plant collection. With over 30 years of hands-on horticultural experience, Jimi has become one of Ireland's most respected voices in gardening.
For years, he's been leading garden tours across Europe, giving small groups intimate access to extraordinary private gardens and the people who created them. His tours combine deep plant knowledge with genuine connections to Europe's most remarkable gardeners.
His achievements include:
Best-selling author of "A Beautiful Obsession"
International speaker at major gardening events worldwide
TV personality featured in the BBC, The Guardian, The Telegraph and more
Mentor to 20,000+ gardeners through his programs and courses
Is This Tour Right For You?
This tour is not for complete beginners. We recommend it for those who have some level of plant knowledge.
These Learning Tours Are Perfect For:
Garden enthusiasts who want to deepen their understanding
Professionals looking to level up their plant knowledge
Anyone who loves private gardens and meeting the people who created them
Travelers who value small groups and expert guidance over mass tourism
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