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The Irish Collection: Spring Gardens of County Antrim and County Down

5 days | £3350 per person with flights | 28 April - 2 May 2025

Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

We are very fortunate to have as host for this tour Neil Porteous. Neil is an enthusiastic and inspiring plantsman. Based near the shores of Strangford Lough, he has an extensive knowledge of area. He also has an exceptional knowledge of plants, having travelled widely in China, North & South Africa, Australia and the Himalayas. The tour will be led by experienced tour leader Sophie Piebenga, well-known to many Boxwood clients for her quiet efficiency.

Across the Irish sea, this is a compact area of outstanding natural beauty, where every corner reveals a new wonder without the need for long coach journeys. Here, you'll discover some of the most important and historically rich gardens in the region, each offering a unique blend of horticultural excellence and heritage. The area is well-known for its fabulous range of rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias and other spring flowering trees, which should be at their peak at this time of year. Other highlights include Glenarm Castle with its huge walled garden which was voted Historic Houses Garden of the Year in 2023. At the newly restored and recently re-opened Hillsborough Castle, a royal residence now maintained by Historic Palaces, the extensive gardens are re-instated and beautifully presented. In addition, there are privileged visits to private gardens and a special invitation to lunch at Ballywalter Park. For the duration of our tour, we have selected the luxurious Culloden Estate Hotel and Spa, as our base. Nestled high on the Holywood Hills, this accomodation offers sweeping views over Belfast Lough and the County Antrim coastline, making it the perfect retreat after a day of exploration. The estate itself boasts 12 acres of secluded, beautifully maintained gardens, offering an oasis of tranquillity amidst natural beauty.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from London to Belfast Airport, arriving in time to take lunch at Glenarm Castle. Famous for its walled garden (one of the oldest in Ireland) and recently restored by renowned landscape designer Catherine Fitzgerald to emphasise and the gardens historical roots, here, in this typically Georgian styled layout you will see the key features of a hot border, with a striking display of colour, the Mount with panoramic views of the gardens and estate. Drive south to Culloden Estate, our base for the tour, with time to settle in before Neil gives us an informative pre-dinner talk before dining together in a private dining room.

Day 2

Today we travel Southeast onto the Ards Peninsula to Ballywalter Park, the ancestral seat of the 6th Baron Dunleath. Here large stands of mature trees grace the 19^th century parkland, together with an array of magnolia and other spring flowering trees. We have a special invitation to lunch with Lord and Lady Dunleath in their beautiful home. In the afternoon we will visit a private garden to the South of Belfast. We dine together at the hotel.

Day 3

We start with a visit to Bangor Castle Walled Garden. Laid out in the 1840s, this 1.5-acre site was replanted in the early 21^st century and today has four distinct sections — the kitchen garden, the herb and topiary garden, the swamp garden and the flower garden - all beautifully cared for by an enthusiastic team of gardeners and volunteers. After a delicious lunch at the Walled Garden Helen’s Bay, we visit Mount Stewart, the original home of the Londonderry family. The garden was created by Edith, Lady Londonderry in the early 20^th century in the Arts&Craft style. Today the garden contains an unrivalled plant collection, making it one of the best-known gardens in the country. Neil Porteous was its Head Gardener for many years and will thus be particularly well placed to share with us his knowledge and enthusiasm for the gardens. Tonight, we dine at The Cultra Inn Restaurant which is set in the beautifully landscaped grounds of the Culloden Estate and Spa, overlooking Belfast Lough.

Day 4

Travelling south into County Down, we visit Rowallane, particularly noted for its azalea and rhododendron collection which should be at its best. We travel on further south for a very privileged visit to a large private garden, developed over the past 30 years with a huge plant collection and a wonderful array of architectural features. After a special lunch in the orangery, we will be taken on a guided tour by the Head Gardener to explore the extensive, beautifully maintained grounds. That evening we enjoy our final dinner together at the hotel.

Day 5

The 100 acres of grounds at Hillsborough Castle to the southwest of Belfast, were developed from the 1760s onwards. Today, after extensive restoration they offer intriguing contrasts between ornate formal gardens, woodland and meadows. We will enjoy a special guided tour by its knowledgeable manager. After lunch we retrace our steps into the centre of historic Hillsborough where, behind a Georgian town house, we find a garden jampacked with plants by its enthusiastic owner, a self-confessed plantaholic. After tea and cake we make our way to the airport for our return flight to London.

Culloden Estate Hotel and Spa

Perched high on the Holywood Hills, the Culloden Estate and Spa is a luxurious retreat offering breath-taking views over Belfast Lough and the County Antrim coastline. Originally built as a bishop’s palace, this grand hotel effortlessly combines historic elegance with modern luxury. Set within 12 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodlands, the estate provides a peaceful escape just minutes from Belfast city centre. Guests can unwind in the award-winning spa, enjoy gourmet dining at Vespers Restaurant, or relax with a drink at The Lough Bar, all while soaking in the estate’s opulent surroundings. Each room and suite is designed with comfort and style in mind, featuring sumptuous furnishings and stunning views.

Book Tour

With Flights: £3350

Join Direct: £3250

Single Supp: £360

Deposit: £450

Departure Dates:

28 April - 2 May 2025

Duration:

4 nights / 5 days

Your Holiday Includes:

Return flights (Economy class) from London to Belfast
Four nights’ bed and breakfast at the Culloden Estate Hotel and Spa
Private coach transfers and excursions
Four evening meals and five lunches
Guided visits to the sites listed in the programme
Services of the tour host and a tour leader
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff

Tour Lecturers

Neil Porteous

With an exceptional knowledge of plants, Neil has explored numerous species in their natural habitats, traveling to China, North and South Africa, Australia, and the Himalayas. His passion for history and love for researching the stories behind historic gardens led to an MA in Garden History and a BSc. Hons in Landscape Management & Horticulture. Neil frequently appears on local radio, sharing his expertise and insights. Offering over a dozen different talks and tours, he relishes public speaking and garden guiding, enjoying the opportunity to meet and learn from other gardeners. Currently, Neil works as an independent garden consultant, advising private clients, Mount Stewart in Co. Down, and the Office of Public Works at Annes Grove and Doneraile Court in Co. Cork. Additionally, he is researching the histories of the gardens at Mount Stewart and Brook Hall in Co. Londonderry.

Sophie Piebenga

Born in The Netherlands and based in the Cotswolds, our expert Sophie Piebenga has lived most of her life in the UK. Trained with the National Trust and qualified at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, all whilst working as head gardener of a private estate, Sophie quickly developed a particular interest in the conservation of historic gardens. This eventually led to a doctoral study at the University of York, researching the work of the early Victorian landscape gardener, William Sawrey Gilpin. Sophie has since worked freelance, mostly in the field of historic landscape conservation, and, for the last 25 years, has regularly led Boxwood tours around the UK and to Ireland, France, Spain and The Netherlands.

Travel Information
The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.

Please note that Boxwood Tours use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.