rom fossil-stacked cliffs to rolling chalk hills and rich pastures, the rural county of Dorset has inspired countless creative people, both historic and contemporary. With expert plantsman Keith Wiley as your host, the tour highlights some lesser-known gardens, including at Litton Cheney, designed in part by Arne Maynard, and the richly planted garden at originally laid out by the Bannermans. Other gardens are more historic, including the walled kitchen garden at , which was designed by Victorian architect Augustus Pugin, and , a Regency manor surrounded by varied gardens including a parterre and rose arches. We visit , the creation of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and his knowledgeable team, for a tour of the productive ‘no-dig’ walled garden before sitting down to a delicious home-grown lunch. There's the chance to peruse the plants at Charles Chesshire's , which includes a range of clematis, hydrangeas and intersectional peonies. Your hotel for the tour is 5-star Georgian Summer Lodge Country House Hotel in the heart of Thomas Hardy's Wessex.
