Category Archives: Outings
Highlights of Hidcote and Highgrove – Cotswold Trip July 2019
49 HSHS members and friends boarded a bus early one morning in July for a short ferry trip across the water and by at lunchtime we arrived for our first garden tour – John Massey’s beautiful garden at
Ashwood Nursery where owner John Massey gave us a tour of his immaculate garden! John power-hoses his trees to keep them sparkly white!
John Massey Ashwood Nursery. HSHS Trip July 2019
John Massy’s Garden HSHS Trip July 2019
After a sound night’s sleep, we scrubbed up for the highlight of our trip – Highgrove Gardens – “Being led by one of HRH The Prince of Wales’s expert guides on a 2 hour tour through the gardens, followed by a Champagne Tea!”
Champagne Tea at Highgrove Gardens. HSHS Trip July 2019
Cheers! Refreshements after tour of Highgrove Gardens. HSHS Trip July 2019
Unfortunately no photography allowed in the gardens – which were simply stunning in their architecture and history. Our guides were entertaining and knowledgeable and we got a real sense of a family home with a working garden! And the spread was just delicious!
Back on the bus for a little snooze and when we woke up, we were in Hidcote Manor, a gorgeous garden arranged in rooms, and famous for its lavender.
We met some old friends, and it was lovely to catch up with Rob, who is enjoying life closer to his children in the UK, but missing his friends in Howth!
Janet and Rob catching up. HSHS Cotswold Trip July 2019
Back to our hotel for dinner and entertainment by our bus driver Sas, for those with the stamina – and off the next morning for Bob Browns nursery in Evesham. It was a shopping frenzy!
HSHS Cotswold Trip July 2019
Not an extra alpine could fit on the bus going home! Tired but happy, we arrived back in Howth with new friends and great memories!
- “Brilliant Gardens, brilliant weather, brilliant company and great fun. Altogether brilliant” Kathryn
“It was a superb trip and wonderfully arranged and we all know that doesn’t happen by itself. So a MASSIVE THANKS to everyone involved in making it happen” Emer - “Excellent company and Super Gardens along with perfect weather” From The Dillons.
“Thanks again for organising such a wonderful trip…………. lots of food for thought……… now the question is will I, won’t I rewild my garden? Apologies to all for cluttering up the rear of the coach with spikey plants!” Karl - “Absolutely fabulous trip. Thanks for wonderful company also” Marie Wallace
“Such a wonderful trip. It was what memories are made of” Patricia
“Had a fabulous time and met so many wonderful people. Thanks again” Cathy
Outing to Birr Castle & Tour of Kerry and Limerick Gardens
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- HSHS Outing to the Great Telescope Birr Castle 4th September 2018Photograph: S.O’Reilly
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- Mr. Billy Alexander. HSHS Visit Kellys Bay Gardens, Co. Kerry5th September 2018 Photo: S. O’Reilly
Rowallane and Castlewellan
Outing to Rowallane and Castlewellan, Co. Down
12th May 2018
by Mary Guyett
Beechgrove Garden Castlewellan, Co. Down Saturday 12th May 2018 Photo courtesy of Mary Guyett
It was lovely to visit the North again last Saturday . Our trip was to the Rowallane National Trust Garden and Beechgrove Garden in Castlewellan. You can see us all in the photograph above, taken at Mr. Sam Harrisons Garden, Beechgrove, Castlewellan, Co. Down.
Rowallane Garden Photo courtesy of Mary Guyett
We were blessed with a beautiful day and it brought back memories of an overnight stay in the Strangford Arms Hotel in 1993 when we visited Mount Stewart Gardens, Rowallane and a Butterfly House. There were seven members on the outing last Saturday who were on the tour in 1993. To jog your memory have a look at the photograph of our members on that trip back then.
1993 Members Outing to Mount Stewart and Rowallane
Photograph courtesy of Maura de Burca
Included is Meriel Latchford, former Howth and Sutton Horticultural Society president and Percy Lovegrove and his wife Doreen. Percy organised the visit. Sadly they are no longer with us, but are fondly remembered.
A big thank you to Margaret Freyne for organising the outing last Saturday which I am sure was enjoyed by everybody.
Mary Guyett
Beechgrove Garden Seat Photo courtesy of Mary Guyett
Rowallane Garden May 2018 Photograph courtesy of Mary Guyett
Shropshire Gardens – June 2017
HSHS members enjoyed a wonderful trip to Shropshire this year.
We visited the classic walled gardens of Wolerton Old Hall, the manor house and estate of Hodnet Hall and last, but not least, a garden tour of Crug Farm Plants and nursery in Wales on our way home. Sincere thanks to our coach driver Sass who took great care of us and our plants as we sailed over the high seas and back again last June.
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- Hodnet Hall and Bertie the dog – Shropshire Trip June 2017. Photo courtesy of Margaret Freyne
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- Shropshire Trip June 2017. Photo: Margaret Freyne
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- Shropshire Trip June 2017. Photo: Margaret Freyne
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- Crûg Farm Plants – Garden tour by Paul Smyth – Shropshire Trip June 2017. Photo courtesy of Margaret Freyne
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- Hollyhocks at Wollerton Old Hall Garden – Shropshire Trip June 2017. Photo courtesy of Margaret Freyne
Next Outing
July 23
Outing to Russborough House, Blessington and a visit to the gardens of June and Jimi Blake
If you intend to go fill in the form in the link below
Russborough House 23-07-16
Reflections on summer outings
We visited 3 beautiful but very different gardens in sunny Wexford on June 20th. First was Coolaught garden in Clonroche. it was a plant lovers dream and we wandered around not knowing what would be around the next corner. There was a garden centre here and the bus was soon full of unusual and great value plants!
We travelled on to newtownbarry house and gardens in Bunclody where we we were fed before we had a wonderful tour of the house and visited the grounds and the sunken garden.
We then travelled a short distance to Lucy’s wood garden. A very different garden to the other two. There were many beautiful trees,mainly flowering types but also many shrubs and herbaceous plants and also themed island beds.
Below are photos of the trip to Lambay island and Ardgillan walled garden.
Outing places still available
Saturday July 18
Trip to Lambay Island
Wednesday August 5
Afternoon trip by coach to the walled garden at Ardgillan, includes afternoon tea and guided tour.
If interested in any of these trips please use the booking form on the events page.
Outings still Available!
Outing to Beaulieu House and Garden and also Killineer garden in Co. Louth on July 12th.
Outing to Mount Stewart and Timpany garden in co Down on August 9th.
If interested contact Margaret Freyne 087 6773948
Places Still Available
We have two outings this summer with places still available
Weds. pm, 19th June
Guided tour of the National Botanic Garden’s vegetable garden. Emphasis on growing unusual vegetables and growing organically. Coach Transport: Meet at Howth Dart Station at 1.30pm. €15.00.
Sat. 27th July
Members full day outing to Laois including visit to Arthur Shackleton’s garden Fruitlawn.
If you would like to go to any of these outings please contact us using the contact us page