We are delighted to announce the first post-COVID trip abroad for the IOS! This will be a very special weekend where we will have the opportunity to view three of the UK’s finest collections of orchids all located in the south east of England. The three collections are: RHS Wisley’s new orchid house opened in 2023; The Mather’s Foundation by appointment only this very important collection holds several UK national collections and named rare hybrid and species; Kew Gardens, the world renowned botanic gardens in London.
The costs quoted below are inclusive of two nights B&B accommodation in a Premier Inn, mini-coach transport, entry tickets and guided tours of the collections and afternoon tea in RHS Wisley. Flights, Lunches and Dinners will be extra.
Accommodation:
We will be staying in a Premier Inn in a town called Horsham, just south of Gatwick (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ix5GZUsB9VK9sPRU8)
Horsham is a market town on the upper reaches of the River Arun on the fringe of the Weald in West Sussex, England. The town is 31 miles (50 km) south south-west of London, 18.5 miles (30 km) north-west of Brighton and 26 miles (42 km) north-east of the county town of Chichester. Nearby towns include Crawley to the north-east and Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill to the south-east. It is the administrative centre of the Horsham district.
Transport:
We have hired a (driver included) sixteen seater Executive Mercedes Mini Coach , this will have limited room, so please only bring RyanAir standard hand luggage.
Costs
Single Occupancy: €454 per room B&B,
Double Occupancy (Twin or Double Room): €677 per room B&B**
Please find below the payments for the 2nd and final instalments, you can pay all now or the 2nd payment by the end of March and the final payment must be made by the 20th April*excluding flights and lunch and dinner
**Double Occupancy is €338.50 per person sharing a twin room
Full payment must be received by 20th April 2024
Dates: Friday 10th May to Sunday the 12th May
Friday 10th May
- Early Morning: Flight to Gatwick (individual members must organise their flights themselves see flights below),
- 10:30am: assemble and board a private hire coach which will take us directly to RHS Wisley
- Afternoon
- 1pm: Lunch
- 2:15pm: A guided tour around the new orchid house at RHS Wisley that opened in 2023
- 4:30pm: afternoon tea (included in the cost)
- Evening: Check-in at the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Saturday
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel
- 8:30am: coach trip to Amberley, which is a village in the south downs (1.5hrs travel).
- 10am: A two to three hour walk to view wild orchids growing in the South Downs NP (you will need good walking shoes and rain gear) with our guide for the morning IOS Member and internationally renowned artist Deborah Lambkin,
- Afternoon
- 12pm: the walk will be followed by Lunch at Amberley.
- 2pm: Visit to The Mathers Foundation to view this very important collection of orchids which includes several national collections.
- Evening: Return to the hotel for dinner and over night stay
Sunday
- Morning breakfast at hotel and checkout
- 9am: depart the hotel on the coach.
- 11am: Late morning visit to Kew Gardens to view the orchids there.
- Afternoon
- 1:30pm: late lunch and the afternoon to continue to explore Kew Gardens
- 5pm: depart on the coach to Gatwick and our evening flights home.
Flights
Individual members must organise these themselves and I suggest you purchase quickly.
Luggage: ONLY bring hand luggage as there is little room on the minibus (small duffle bags that are Ryanair compliant, no hard bodied cases)!
Dublin > Gatwick
- Depart Friday Morning:
- Ryanair FR112 08:00 hrs arrive 09:25hrs
Gatwick > Dublin
- Return Sunday Evening (two options):
- Ryanair FR123 19:00 hrs
- Ryanair FR127 20:15 hrs
Flight Cost:
Current prices (20th Feb) €116 return basic.
Alternatives
Aerlingus flies only to London Heathrow, you could take the morning flight to LHW and catch a train to Woking where there is a shuttle bus to RHS Wisley, the return flight would be on the Ryanair flight on Sunday evening.
If you have any questions please contact David Morse through the form below: