“Our vague idea of a trip to see some gardens in England became a dream trip with a visit to Kew Gardens, the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, driving the beautiful English countryside and touring historic castles, estates, and gardens. Combined with the energy of London and the medieval towns of Rye and Arundel, it was nearly perfect.
Early in planning, Emma met us through video calls to learn about our wishes and interests. From there, Emma used her local knowledge and experiences to take care of the details to make this trip special. She checked on us and supported us while we were in the country; and we knew she was available if we needed her. Certainly, Crown and Country will hear from us again when we make our next trip to England.”
Scott and Janette W, Virginia, USA
At a Glance
The Brief
Known worldwide as the birthplace of modern gardening — from cottage gardens to grand landscape design — the British Isles offers an almost infinite array of gardens to explore. With more than 5,000 public gardens and another 3,500 opened privately each year, narrowing down where to go — by era, style, designer, or region — can be its own project. When I discovered Scott and Janette were fans of garden designer John Brookes, and that the RHS Chelsea Flower Show was a wish-list experience, I knew exactly where (and when) to send them.
The Journey
Together, we curated a relaxed ten-day self-drive journey through a hand-selected list of historic gardens, towns, and villages across Kent and Sussex. Known as the "Garden of England," the region pairs world-renowned gardens and historic estates with rolling vineyards, white-cliffed coastline, and ancient towns seemingly untouched by time. Paced to maximize flexibility and minimize driving, the route ran from London to Rye, along the coast to Arundel, and back — with off-the-radar hotels and old-fashioned inns lending an easy, unhurried feel to their journey through "Britain in Bloom."
London: Not the obvious place to start a garden tour — until you look closer. Home to the Garden Museum, Chelsea Physic Garden, Kew Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1759, with more than 50,000 living plants), and the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show each May, London is the perfect launch point.
Kent: Having once lived in this part of the UK, I was excited to introduce Scott and Janette to the true heart of the "Garden of England." Two of the 20th century's most celebrated gardens sit almost side by side here — Vita Sackville-West's Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Christopher Lloyd's Great Dixter, famed for its bold, experimental planting and topiary — alongside storybook towns and villages that feel like a step back in time.
East Sussex: Often overlooked, Rye is one of England's best-preserved medieval towns — a historic Cinque Port whose timber-framed houses and cobbled Mermaid Street have drawn gardeners, artists, and writers for centuries, including Henry James and Conrad Aiken. Its shops, cafés, and restaurants make it easy to stroll, relax, and eat well.
West Sussex: Between the two Sussexes, the landscape is peppered with Norman and medieval castles, vineyards, stately homes, and historic towns. A final stop at Arundel Castle and Gardens — home to the Duke of Norfolk for over 400 years, with its whimsical Collector Earl's Garden — rounded out the trip, alongside West Dean's restored walled kitchen gardens, John Brookes' naturalistic plantings at Denmans, and the RHS's flagship garden, Wisley, before the road led back to London.
