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The first coach trip of the year will be to Wakehurst Place in Sussex on Saturday 10th May. Please book your place as soon as possible and before 7 April. Hope you can join us.
More information & booking form
Coach trip Wednesday 2nd October 2024 - Waterperry Gardens
The weather was on our side for this trip. It had been so wet in the days leading up to it that the River Thame which runs along one border of the estate had flooded the low lying fields and made parts of the River Walk impassable. The remainder of the 20 acre Gardens were completely unaffected by the previous downpours, with paths and the grassy areas all in good condition.
The Gardens are known for their long herbaceous borders and it was impressive to see that even so late in the season, the colours were still so vibrant. The asters were giving a brilliant demonstration of how many shades of purple and pink were possible.
In the shelter of the walled garden they display raised beds of saxifrage and hold the National Collection.
The fruit trees were heavy with apples and pears and it was pleasing to see we could buy bags of apples of different varieties in the garden shop.
In addition to seeing the landscaped gardens, the Museum of Rural Life, the Saxon church, the gift shop and the tea shop with homemade goodies, the group had a tour of Waterperry House for over an hour. The tour was run by the Steward of the estate, who was most informative and entertaining in the way he told us the history of the house and gardens and the story of the fresco. The paintings are over 35 feet high in the centre of the house and depict philosophical teachings. This beautiful art work was achieved using the traditional fresco painting method and completed over several years. There was also the opportunity to visit the rest of the House.
For many of the group this was their visit to Waterperry. The feedback from the group was very positive and we are looking forward to the next trip in the Spring 2025...whereever that might be.
Pictures
Coach trip Monday 22 nd April 2024 - Chenies Manor Tulip Festival
A party of almost 50 people, comprising members, friends and a group from St Vincent’s Nursing Home enjoyed a comfortable 35 minutes coach ride to Chenies in Buckinghamshire. We were met by Charles MacLeod Matthews, third generation owner of a truly historic manor house, part 15 th and part 16 th century. Charles gave us a short introduction to the history of his family and the manor house which was once the home of the Dukes of Bedford. The history came alive when the majority of our group were taken on a guided tour of what is still the family home.
Some of the current furnishings stem from Tudor times and there are some splendid Jacobean pieces, with complementary antiques added, but there is still a comfortable family feel throughout. The family fully appreciate the historical importance of this building and strive to maintain the estate as authentically as possible.
We visited the parish church, next to the manor house, and were surprised to see this included an enormous mausoleum.
The timing of this trip was to coincide with the tulip festival. Over 25,000 bulbs of different varieties have been planted in blocks of colour - one garden hosting exclusively white tulips, another bed a mass of copper and cinnamon, the Sunken Garden a riot of pink, purple and red. We explored the other areas of the estate - the Physic Garden, built around the 170 ft well, the Maze, the delicate white wrought iron gazebo and behind that the gnarled trunk of the 1,000 year old Queen Elizabeth oak.
An enjoyable afternoon visit, unfortunately accompanied by damp, chilly weather, as evidenced by the photographs. At this time of year we would have hoped to see the tulips in sunshine, but their colours were still vibrant and brightened the grey afternoon.
Pictures
Coach trip 2023
The Society arranged a coach trip for Saturday 22 April to visit RHS Hyde Hall Gardens. The weather was better than forecast, with sunshine and only a light breeze. As Hyde Hall is on a hill you can feel the wind when it blows, so we were very lucky.
Our trip coincided with the Spring Plant Fair in the grounds. Two large marquees were used for the plant stalls, some art work and a couple of talks during the day.
The tulips were at their best, hellebores in full bloom and we caught the end of the camellia flowers. On every visit there seems to be a new development at this site. I don't remember seeing the Winter Garden and Birch Grove previously. All the areas look well kept and the plant name tags are useful when considering which to have at home.
Some of the group bought plants from growers at the Spring Plant Fair and the RHS Plant Centre to finish off the day.
Pictures
Coach Trip 2022
The coach trip to RHS Wisley went smoothly on Saturday 23 April 2022. We had sold all the places on the trip well in advance but as the coach company provided a larger coach on the day everyone had room to spread out. The weather was kind to us with warm sunshine despite a breeze in open places.
The rhododendrons and camellias were putting on a good show alongside some late flowering magnolias on Battleston Hill. The Alpine Houses were full of colour and the planting in that area is beautiful. The new planting around the Hilltop Centre has developed well and looking very natural. Great views from the Sky Terrace across the gardens and beyond.
The Plant Centre tempted some of our members to bring back some goodies for their own gardens. A good way to finish off the day.
Pictures
Coach Trip 2019
Our first trip for 2019 took place on 27 April and was to a new destination, The Savill Garden. Created in the 1930s, and constantly evolving, there are 35 acres of beautifully designed gardens and woodland. It was a blustery day which seemed to keep the crowds away, and we were the only coach in the park. We enjoyed the Garden and our group also took shelter in The Savill Garden Kitchen restaurant and the Cafe. With floor to ceiling windows you sit with a cuppa whilst looking out at the Garden.
The Savill Garden Gift Shop and plant selection was also visited by some of the group. I saw a beautiful climbing rose come back on the coach with us.
As part of Windsor Great Park the energetic ones in the party were able to stretch their legs on walks around Virginia Water, the Valley Garden, had refreshments in the Village Store garden, took in the views of Windsor Castle from the Copper Horse and had any cobwebs blown away.
Some of us were a little sleepy on the return journey to Eastcote.
Pictures
2nd coach Trip - Waddesdon Manor
The Society had a second coach trip to Waddesdon Manor on September 28th 2019. One coach was accompanied by a minibus from St Vincent's Nursing Home so wheel chair users could also join us. We had a look at the treasures inside the house and around the grounds with the sculptures and aviary.
Waddesdon Manor is home to the Rothschild Collections of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.
Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild was fascinated by 18th century France. He used a French architect who created rooms using wall panels taken from Parisian houses of the 1700s. As a family, the Rothschilds were the greatest collectors, seeking the highest quality workmanship and with a keen sense of historical importance. It certainly is an impressive estate. Some of us sampled the delights of the tea room during our visit too.
Pictures
 see the History page for reports and pictures from more coach trips.
Indoor Meetings
Members of the EHS are welcome to join the Ruislip Central Horticultural Society meetings. There is a small charge to cover the cost of speakers.
See RCHS website for details of dates and speakers
or contact Email: rchstalks@gmail.com
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