Start your discovery of these magnificent gardens with the Royal Society Gardens at Wisley. Enjoy a garden with something for everyone and a well-stocked bookshop. Polesden Lacey represents the Regency period (1820s). Sumptuous enough to have attracted King George VI and wife Elizabeth to spend part of their honeymoon here. In addition to the magnificent interior, there's the lovely walled rose garden to walk through. Depending on time we will either visit Clandon Park or neighbouring Hatchlands Park. The former is a Palladian pile, acclaimed for its collection of porcelain and tapestries. The latter boasts wonderful Robert Adam interiors and the Cobbe collection of historic keyboard instruments including those owned and played by Bach, Mahler and Chopin. Overnight in Kent.

Winston Churchill's home of Chartwell requires no introduction. What makes this such a memorable visit is not only the view from the garden but the fact that the interior is almost as he left it. Scotney Castle has been termed England's most romantic garden with Victorian terraces covered in a riot of coloured shrubs over- looking a 14th century moated castle. Then to Knole. This is one of England's great 'treasure houses'. Home of the Lords Sackville since 1603, the property has much to offer including Royal Stuart furnishings and a fine art collection of English masters. Overnight in Kent.

Penhurst Place is another of our finest family-owned stately homes with a history stretching back six and a half centuries. Perhaps its most memorable feature is the 60-foot high, chestnut-beamed mediaeval hall. Penhurst has a lovely garden, uniquely divided into 'rooms' by yew hedges. Then on to Ingham Mote, deservedly one of the most popular small gardens in the region. Hever Castle is the jewel we leave to climax our day. Hever is many people's idea of what a 'real' castle should look like. Though dating back to 1270, and being the family home of one of Henry VIII's ill-fated wives, Anne Boleyn, it also has a relatively contemporary feel provided by the Astors, who took over and restored the castle in the early part of the last century. It has a 30-acre garden including a unique Italian garden filled with roses and statues. Overnight in Kent.

Travel the short distance to Sissinghurst Castle. Vita Sackville-West's world famous garden requires no introduction to garden enthusiasts. Another iconic garden and house is that of Great Dixter. This is the largest half-timbered house in England with wild meadows and famed Long Border. We've an opportunity of a slight change of pace and period for today's final visits. You'll have the choice of seeing the magnificently preserved 15th century Bodiam Castle, the Abbey connected with the famed 1066 Battle of Hastings or, perhaps, Kipling's house, Batemans. Return to London around 6 p.m.

Note:
A pre-tour passenger pick-up charge of approx. $30 per party applies when London accommodation is other than a hotel nominated by Back Roads Touring and a higher charge applies if your hotel is located outside central London. All passengers are returned to their central London hotel after each tour. Pre & Post Tour accommodation offers available on application.