We travel south from Belfast to Dun Laoghaire where we catch the HSS to Holyhead. We proceed through North Wales into the English Midlands and our overnight hotel, within striking distance of London at Northampton.

The RHS garden at Hyde Hall is less than a 3 hour drive away, and we arrive around noon with time for lunch, leaving the afternoon free to enjoy the many attractions of this 360 acre estate. The developed area of the garden extends to 24 acres, demonstrating an eclectic range of inspirational horticultural styles.

We turn back west to our hotel on the northern edge of London, in Hatfield, where dinner awaits us.

After breakfast this morning we travel to the west of the city, to the RHS headquarters at Wisley, where we are met by an official guide who introduces us to the fascinating gardens.

A special attraction this year is the huge new greenhouse. We spend the full day here at this 240 acre centre of gardening excellence.

A full day at Chelsea Flower Show. This year promises to be as fascinating as previous years, so prepare to pick up lots of top horticultural tips and inspirational ideas!

We leave our hotel immediately after breakfast this morning and drive north to Harrogate, arriving at our final RHS garden, Harlow Carr, in early afternoon. This is the most northerly of the RHS gardens and a most relaxing way to break the journey home.

There is an inspiring RHS shop and plant centre and, in Betty’s Café tea rooms, a charming place to rest what surely must be weary feet by now. We check into the nearby Holiday Inn in time to freshen up before dinner.

The final leg of our journey takes us through the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and on to Stranraer, where we catch the evening sailing, arriving back at the Europa Buscentre around 10.00pm.