England 2027 Flower and Fiber Tour
May 14 - 23, 2027
Discover the Flowers and Fiber of England 2027 Tour!
We will begin our tour in the lovely island of Guernsey. Here we will explore the sites including the German Occupation Museum, the Folk and Costume Museum, Castle Cornet and the Little Chapel. We will learn the history of the Guernsey sweater and visit two mills that are still making them today - Guernsey Woollens and Le Tricoteur.
From there we head to London. Along the way we visit Salisbury Cathedral, home of the 1215 Magna Carta, for a textile treasure tour and look at its collection of beautiful and intricately stitched ecclesiastical textiles. And just down the road - the Unesco World Heritage Site of Stonehenge! We visit the National Trust’s Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, home of the author Vita Sackville-West. Then on to Great Dixter House and Gardens, a 15th century manor house with gardens designed by the famous Christoper Lloyd. And a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is just spectacular in May!
One of the many highlights of this trip is a visit to see the historic Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum. The piece is actually not a tapestry but an 11th century wool on linen embroidery that depicts the events leading up to the 1066 Norman conquest. Believed to be initially stitched in England as a gift to William the Conqueror, it has been housed in Normandy since that time and is in pristine shape! The tapestry is returning to England for the first time in almost 1,000 years while the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in Normandy is closed for renovations which makes it an event not to be missed!
Our last day will be spent at the glorious Chelsea Flower Show, the world's most famous and prestigious horticultural event. The show is the highlight of the British social and gardening calendar, with its avant-garde show gardens, the iconic Great Pavilion, and innovative floral displays, where you can often watch the likes of Monty Don, the famous horticulturalist from ‘Gardeners’ World’, at work - what a great way to end our tour!
“An added bonus of my adventure with your travel group is that inspiration and enthusiasm for knitting seems boundless upon returning home!”
— JoAnn
“A great group of people to travel with, and I found new friends. Thank you for your leadership, and I would love to do it again!”
— Maryann
ENGLAND 2027 FLOWER AND FIBER TOUR
Dates: May 14 - 23, 2027
Explore the history of the Guernsey sweater and Bayeux Tapestry on this immersive nine-day tour, which features textile and cultural traditions set amongst gardens and stunning landscapes.
Early Arrival Option (Thursday, May 13, 2027)
The Duke Hotel in St. Peter Port will have rooms available at the group rate for those that wish to arrive a day early to acclimate and be better rested for the start of the tour. This must be arranged independently.
Day 1 (Friday, May 14): Arrival in Guernsey
Today we are met by our guide and driver at the Guernsey airport at a designated time. On the way to our hotel we will stop for a visit to Castle Cornet, a historic 800-year old fortress located at the mouth of St Peter Port harbor, offering stunning panoramic views of the island and surrounding Channel Islands. The castle houses four museums and four period gardens. We then continue on to our hotel, The Duke Hotel, centrally located and overlooking St Peter Port, where we will stay the next three nights. Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 (Saturday, May 15): Explore Guernsey - German Occupation Museum, Little Chapel
Today we have a tour of the island by bus, discovering the beautiful coastline, scattered with bays of golden sands and amazing cliff views, and learn about the centuries of rich history. We will visit the German Occupation Museum, which provides a unique insight into life in Guernsey during the occupation from 1940 to 1945. We will have a stop at Le Tricoteur, another island maker of the traditional Guernsey, in business since 1964 - with sweaters made from true worsted yarn and hand finished by local knitters. Then we head to the Les Vauxbelets valley in St Andrew to visit the Little Chapel, considered the smallest functioning chapel in the world. Designed by Brother Deodat in 1914 to replicate the grotto at Lourdes, it is decorated in intricate mosaics of broken china, seashells and pebbles - really charming! Overnight tonight at The Duke Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 (Sunday, May 16): Explore Guernsey - Guernsey Woollens, Folk and Costume Museum
This morning we will enjoy a talk and tour of Guernsey Woollens. Established in 1976, they have been crafting traditional, high quality Guernsey sweaters for over 50 years, blending their unique heritage with durability. These sweaters are made from 100% British wool and spun to a unique traditional specification. Seamlessly knit in the round on modern equipment, they are beautiful! We then have a visit and talk at the National Trust of Guernsey Folk and Costume Museum located in Saumarez Park. With over 8,000 pieces and located over 2 floors, it is the only exhibit of its kind in the Channel Islands. We will have some free time to explore St Peter Port independently. Overnight at The Duke Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 (Monday, May 17): Salisbury Cathedral
Today we depart Guernsey and head to the mainland via ferry. Our first stop of the day is the famous Salisbury Cathedral where we will have a Textile Treasure Tour of the collection of beautiful and intricately stitched ecclesiastical textiles. Salisbury Cathedral has an important place in the history of British architecture, religion and politics. This Gothic cathedral has the tallest spire in England, the largest close, quire and cloisters plus the world’s oldest working mechanical clock. And one of only four copies of the Magna Carta is housed in its Charter House. We can’t leave Salisbury without visiting one of the wonders of the world, the best-known prehistoric monument in all of Europe - Stonehenge! After a very full day of travel we will overnight at the Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex. Meals included: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 (Tuesday, May 18): Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Great Dixter House and Gardens
Our first visit of the day is the world-renowned, romantic Sissinghurst Castle Gardens located in Kent. Created by author Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson in the 1030s, it is considered among the most famous gardens in England and is designated Grade I on Historic England's register of historic parks and gardens. The gardens are designed as a series of intimate ‘garden rooms’ including the iconic White garden and Rose Garden. Its lush, abundant plantings are mixed with structured design, along with a famous Tudor tower and panoramic views. We will also visit the Great Dixter House and Gardens, an iconic, vibrant and experimental Arts and Crafts garden renovated and designed by Edwin Lutyens and the great gardener and garden writer Christopher Lloyd. The garden features the famous Long Border, Exotic Garden, and wildflower meadows, all managed to encourage high biodiversity. Tonight we overnight at the country estate of Ashdown Park in East Sussex. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Note: While we strive to follow the itinerary, changes may occur due to unforeseen circumstances
Day 6 (Wednesday, May 19): Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London
Today we depart East Sussex and head to London. En-route we will visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage site boasts the largest and most diverse botanical collection in the world. It spans 330 acres and features the iconic Victorian glasshouses, a treetop walkway, the historic Kew Palace, and stunning, expansive landscapes. A garden paradise for sure! From here we head to our hotel, the lovely Bailey’s Hotel, were we will spend the next four nights. Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7 (Thursday, May 20): Chelsea Flower Show!
Today we dedicate to the amazing, world famous Chelsea Flower Show! This may well be the highlight of the trip for some travelers, and for good reason. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, set on the banks of the River Thames, is the world’s most famous flower show and aims to inspire, educate and excite visitors about horticulture. And it certainly does! The show reveals cutting-edge garden design, fabulous floral displays and simply the best shopping. Beside learning lots of tips and tricks, you never know who you are going to run into, among the guests are the amazing team of Monty Don’s ‘Gardeners’ World’ - learn from the best! Overnight Bailey’s Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 (Friday, May 21): Bayeux Tapestry, British Museum, Tower of London
Today is the day we will have all been waiting for - our viewing of the historical significant, famous Bayeux Tapestry, on exhibit at the British Museum. The tapestry is making its first return visit to England, its home of origin, in almost 1,000 years! It is not technically a woven tapestry, but a masterpiece of wool-on-linen embroidery. This monumental embroidery tells the dramatic story of a moment that changed England forever. No year in the country's history is more famous than 1066. It was the last time England was successfully invaded, and it is the year from which the modern monarchy dates itself. And there is no other object that is as instantly recognizable, as studied in schools and as copied by artists as the Bayeux Tapestry. One of the wonders of the medieval world, the Tapestry offers a vision of life in 11th-century England both before and after the Conquest, from castles, warfare and ships to clothing, food and furniture. Likely commissioned by a Norman patron and made by English embroiderers, using manuscript drawings from Canterbury, the Tapestry is both a precious historical record and a remarkable work of art. In the afternoon we will visit the infamous Tower of London, the most popular place to visit in London and one of our favorites. The Tower of London, close to 1,000 years old, was a former fortress, palace, and prison. Its highlights include the priceless Crown Jewels, the ancient White Tower, the chilling Bloody Tower, the Ravens (and they do bite), and the ceremonial Yeoman Warders - its history is expansive and one you will not soon forget! Overnight Bailey’s Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9 (Saturday, May 22): V & A Museum, free afternoon
Today we have a self-guided visit to the lovely Victoria & Albert Museum. The museum is the world’s leading museum of art, design, and performance, housing over 5,000 years of human creativity in a stunning Victorian building. Located in London’s museum hub, it features extensive fashion, jewelry, sculpture and photography galleries. We can choose between the several self-guided ‘trails’ based on interest. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight Bailey’s Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10 (Sunday, May 23): Transfer to the airport for flights home.
Note: While we strive to follow the itinerary, changes may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.
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Textile Exploration
Learn the history of the fisherman guernsey while visiting and exploring the Island of Guernsey, part of the Channel Islands, with visits to both Guernsey Woollens and Le Tricoteur.
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Salisbury Cathedral
Visit the beautiful Salisbury Cathedral, a major factor in the history of England’s architecture, religion and politics. It boasts Britain’s tallest spire, oldest working mechanical clock, and houses one of the four copies of the Magna Carta.
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Explore London
Explore sites in London, including the most historically significant Tour of London, with its priceless Crown Jewels, the ancient White Tower, the chilling Bloody Tower, the Ravens and ceremonial Yeoman Warders.
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Historic Textiles
Look at England’s most significant historical event, the Norman conquest and the Battle of Hastings, as viewed through the Bayeux Tapestry, an amazing work of embroidered wool on linen, depicting these events and returning to England for the first time in almost 1,000 years!
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Floral Utopia
Visit Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Great Dixter House and Gardens, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, and spend a day at the world famous gardener’s paradise, the Royal Horticultural Chelsea Flower Show.
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Historic Accommodations
Stay in historic 4+ star hotels including The Duke Hotel in St Peter Port, the country estate of Ashdown Park in East Sussex, and the charming Baileys Hotel in Kensington, London.
Activity Level 2: Moderate
"This is the majority of our tours, with a balance of time spent on sedentary activities, such as sightseeing on the bus and attending classes or lectures, and physical exertion. The more strenuous activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and paragliding, are often optional, with other less exerting activities or free time, making this tour suitable for most fitness levels. Travelers should be able to walk up to 3-4 miles or for 2-3 hours per day with a day pack over uneven, sometimes hilly terrain. Travelers need to be able to manage their own luggage, portage of 1 bag is included at all hotels. There will be some early morning starts and late day finishes.
“As a solo traveler, it was wonderful to be part of a fiber group!”
— Joanne
The cost of the 9-day England 2027 Flower and Fiber Tour is $5,495.00
Included in the price:
All accommodation (based on double occupancy)
All breakfasts, 5 group dinners, 1 box lunch
Guided tours in Guernsey, mainland England
Entry tickets to listed events, including the Chelsea Flower Show
Guide & Driver Tips
portage at all hotels
Taxes and service charges for all included services
All ground-to-airport transfers in England at designated times
Bus and Ferry transport while on tour
NOT Included in the price:
International airfare to and from England (travelers are responsible for making their own flight arrangements)
Any meals not specifically included
Any airport transfers not specifically included
Transportation costs not stated
Optional activities such as pre-tour early arrival, activities during free time.
All deposits and payments are non-refundable if the trip is cancelled for any reason. Elegant Ewe Travel highly recommends trip insurance for all excursions. To purchase, contact our friend Sandy at Sandy@pennypitoutravel.com.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS:
Single supplements are available at an additional cost of $1,800.00
OPTIONAL PRE-TOUR EARLY ARRIVAL: Rooms are being held at The Duke Hotel for those wishing to arrive early, the night of May 13, at the group rate of 295 GBP for King/Twin and 255 GBP for Classic double for single occupancy. These arrangements must be made independently.