Thenford Arboretum & Garden, Oxfordshire

Tour Information

Following our successful half-day visit in July 2025, when we were unexpectedly joined by Lord Heseltine, we are delighted to offer this full day, exclusive group visit.

25 years in the making, today Lord and Lady Heseltine’s garden includes extensive herbaceous borders bursting with colour and a variety of planting, charming water gardens, a delightful walled garden, a sculpture garden with a most unexpected statue, a rose garden and a rill and 40 acres of woodland. There’s so much to see an enjoy.

Included in the day

Tea and coffee on arrival

Introductory talk about the history of Arboretum and the collection

Guided tour

Lunch

Free time in the garden and arboretum

This tour is accompanied by sisters Jacky & Sue, Wisteria Tours

Coach travel with Lakeside Coaches of Ellesmere.

Find out about the Itinerary…

Thenford Arboretum & Garden, in the walled garden
Thenford Arboretum & Garden, woodland walk
Thenford Arboretum & Garden, woodland walk
Thenford Arboretum & Garden, woodland walk
Thenford Arboretum & Garden, woodland walk
Thenford Garden & Arboretum, in the walled garden
Sleeping Knight, Thenford Arboretum & Garden
Thenford Arboretum & Garden, view across the lake to the woodland
Thenford Arboretum & Garden, inside the walled garden
Thenford Arboretum & Garden, woodland walk

A special day out!

£165 per person

7^th July 2026

Ellesmere, Shrewsbury and Telford

Coffee on arrival, lunch

Book Online

07.30 Departing Lakeside Coach Yard, Ellesmere

08.30 Departing Abbey Foregate car park, Shrewsbury

08.45 Departing Telford Services, M54 at J4 accessible from the A464

10.30 -16.00 Full day visit to Thenford Gardens & Arboretum

18.15, arrival back in Telford, 18.30 at Shrewsbury and 19.30 at Ellesmere.

Booking your place

Non-refundable deposit of £30 per person is payable on booking. Full payment is due 10 weeks before departure.

Itinerary

About this Day Trip

Thenford Garden & Arboretum

Michael and Anne Heseltine purchased Thenford House in 1976 with its two acre walled garden and surrounding grounds. After many years of restoration today it is a truly relaxing space to wander around and includes a few surprises that will make you laugh and sigh in delight.

Explore the 40 acres of woodland that have been thoughtfully restored. Now clear of the debris that accumulates with years of neglect, rotten or fallen trees have been replaced and and now features a collection of more than three thousand different trees and shrubs. The magical sound of running water coming from the rill adds to the sense of peacefulness.

The walled garden has been brought back to its former use and is full of surprises. The fish ponds, their interconnecting canal and the existing lake have been restored and two new ones have been added. An eighteenth century avenue of mature yews has been cleared of self seeded shrubs and saplings, and returned to its former grandeur.

In order to help with the replanting programme the Heseltine’s sought advice from some of the leading horticultural leaders of the time, including Lanning Roper, Sir Harold Hillier, Roy Lancaster and Keith Rushforth. They also received gifts to enhance the collection from many distinguished tree lovers.

Travel arrangements

07.30 Departing Ellesmere, 08.30 Departing Shrewsbury and 08.40 Departing Telford Services. 18.15 Arrival back at Telford Services, 18.30 in Shrewsbury and 19.30 in Ellesmere.

Timings for the trip will be confirmed 7-days before travel.

Booking your place

£165 per person

Non-refundable deposit £30 per person payable on booking. Full payment is due 10 weeks before departure.

Includes return coach travel, entry into Thenford Garden & Arboretum, tea and coffee on arrival, introductory talk, guided garden tour, lunch and free time in the garden.

And finally, we have an ‘All Weather Policy’ which means the tour will go ahead come rain or shine unless the Met Office announces it is unsafe to travel.