Thenford Arboretum & Garden, Oxfordshire with Leamington Spa

Tour Information

Visiting Lord and Lady Heseltine’s Thenford Garden & Arboretum just got even better with the introduction of private group visits. We love the variety this garden has to offer and jumped at the opportunity for an exclusive visit including an introductory talk with tea and cake followed by free time in the garden.

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. There’s so much to see an enjoy.

Our visit starts at 14.00 and we will spend the morning at the lovely Royal Leamington Spa. With its wide boulevards, stunning architecture and award-winning parks this Regency town centre combines a treasure-trove of independent, specialist boutiques alongside high street brands and a huge variety of eating experiences.

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!

Private afternoon visit to Thenford

£88 per person

Introductory talk with tea & cake

15^th July 2025

Ellesmere, Shrewsbury and Telford

Tea & Cake

Book Online

08.00 Departing Lakeside Coach Yard, Ellesmere

09.00 Departing Abbey Foregate car park, Shrewsbury

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

11.00 – 13.00 Visit to Leamington Spa

13.45 – 16.30 Visit Thenford

19.00 Arrival back in Shrewsbury

The tour price is £88

Non-refundable deposit £20 per person payable on booking. Full payment is due 10 weeks before departure.

Includes return coach travel, stop at Leamington Spa. Entry into Thenford, introductory talk with tea & cake followed by free time in garden.

Itinerary

About this Day Trip

Thenford Garden & Arboretum

Michael and Anne Heseltine purchased Thenford House in 1976 with its 2-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.

Royal Leamington Spa

Before our visit to Thenford we will visit Royal Leamington Spa, renowned for its famous spa for centuries, it now offers history and a perfect location for shoppers and food fans. See the Visitor Information Centre for information on the local area.

Please note, the terrain in the woodlands at Thenford is uneven, which makes it unsuitable for people with limited mobility. Be sure to bring your comfortable walking shoes.

Travel arrangements

08.00 Departing Lakeside Coach Yard, Ellesmere

09.00 Departing Abbey Foregate car park, Shrewsbury

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

11.00 – 13.00 Visit to Leamington Spa

13.45 – 16.30 Visit Thenford

19.00 Arrival back in Shrewsbury

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

Booking your place

The tour price is £88

Non-refundable deposit £20 per person payable on booking. Full payment is due 10 weeks before departure.

Includes return coach travel, stop in Royal Leamington Spa and entry into Thenford Garden & Arboretum, introductory talk with tea & cake followed by 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.

Book Online