Literary Gardens of England Tour
May 17th – 23rd, 2026
Tour the gardens that inspired Jane Austen, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Vita Sackville-West, and more
Itinerary
DAY 1
SUNDAY, MAY 17TH
GODMERSHAM PARK
Tour Godmersham Park’s stunning gardens
This property once belonged to Jane Austen’s brother, Edward Austen Knight and is the setting of Gill Hornby’s bestselling historical fiction novel by the same name
Enjoy a traditional British Sunday roast for lunch
*Vegetarian options available
the most famous garden in literature
Take an enchanting private tour of Great Maytham Hall (the real Secret Garden)
Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of “The Secret Garden,” lived at Great Maytham Hall between 1898 and 1907. She planted countless roses, became friends with a cheerful red robin, and wrote on her desk placed amongst the blooms—all while gathering inspiration for her beloved classic novel.
Enjoy welcome dinner amongst kindred spirits and overnight accommodations at
Chilston Park Hotel
DAY 2
MONDAY, MAY 18TH
virginia woolf & jane Austen
Enjoy a leisurely tour of
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Located in the Kent countryside, Sissinghurst Castle is one of England’s most celebrated gardens, designed in the 1930s by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband, diplomat and author Harold Nicolson. Vita Sackville-West was a member of the Bloomsbury Group (a circle of writers, artists, and thinkers who shaped early 20th-century art and literature) and a successful novelist, poet, and gardening columnist. She wrote many of her books and articles from the tower overlooking the garden. Her deep relationship with Virginia Woolf—who immortalized her in “Orlando”—further cements Sissinghurst’s place in the literary canon.
Private visit to Jane Austen’s house & gardens
Includes a guided gardener tour
Independent dinner
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Indigo Bath
DAY 3
TUESDAY, MAY 19TH
mr. darcy’s proposal
Leisurely visit to Stourhead
Created in the 18th century by Henry Hoare II, Stourhead is a living, walkable painting. It’s here, overlooking the misty lake, that Mr. Darcy makes his rain-soaked first proposal to Elizabeth Bennet in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Tour Great Chalfield Manor house & garden
A beautifully preserved 15th-century manor house in Wiltshire, surrounded by an Arts and Crafts-style garden with rose-clad walls, topiary, and tranquil garden rooms. Its timeless beauty has made it a popular filming location, appearing in Poldark. The manor also served as inspiration for Julie Klassen’s novel, “The Secret of Pembrooke Park.”
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure
and independent dinner
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Indigo Bath
DAY 4
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20TH
hidcote garden & author book signing
Visit Hidcote Garden with special author guest, Julia Kelly
Hidcote is a gorgeous Arts and Crafts garden created by American horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston in the early 20th century. It’s famous for its series of “garden rooms” — beautifully designed spaces separated by hedges, stone walls, and archways, each with its own distinct mood, color palette, and planting style.
Hidcote served as inspiration for Julia Kelly’s novel The Last Garden in England, which weaves together the stories of women connected to a grand English garden across generations. Guests will enjoy a talk with Julia Kelly and receive a signed copy of her book!
hay-on-wye
the national book town of wales
Explore the wide array of bookshops in Hay-On-Wye
Tucked along the border of England and Wales, Hay-on-Wye is a charming market town world-famous for its love of books. It’s home to more than twenty bookshops plus includes scenic countryside views, historic castle ruins, and cozy cafes.
Dinner and overnight accommodations at
Llangoed Hall
DAY 5
THURSDAY, MAY 21ST
DAVID AUSTIN ROSES & CHATSWORTH HOUSE
Visit David Austin Roses
On our way to Chatsworth House, we’ll make a stop at David Austin Roses. Founded in the 1960s by David Austin, this world-famous Shropshire nursery is known for creating English Roses — combining the beauty and fragrance of old garden roses with the repeat flowering of modern varieties.
Beloved by gardeners and showcased at the Chelsea Flower Show, David Austin Roses is also known for its literary-inspired blooms, naming many of its roses after classic authors and characters, including varieties like ‘Emily Brontë‘and ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles.’
Tour Chatsworth House and gardens
Chatsworth House is a historic English country house known for its art and stunning gardens. It was featured as Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Dinner and overnight accommodations at
The Cavendish Hotel (located on the Chatsworth property)
DAY 6
Friday, May 22nd
the home & garden of lucy boston
Tour Lucy Boston’s home & garden at
The Manor House
The Manor House in Hemingford Grey is one of the oldest continually inhabited houses in Britain, dating back to the 1130s. It became famous as the beloved home of Lucy Boston, the author of “The Children of Green Knowe” series. Boston lovingly restored the house and created enchanting gardens filled with ancient roses, herbaceous borders, and views over the River Great Ouse. The house and gardens appear throughout her Green Knowe books.
Stop for a lovely afternoon tea en route to the home of Barbara Cartland
the home & garden of barbara cartland
(and beatrix potter)
Tour Camfield Place home & gardens
Camfield Place is a grand country estate in Hertfordshire, once the beloved home of Barbara Cartland, the prolific author famously known as the “Queen of Romance.” Cartland lived here for much of her life, penning many of her over 700 novels from this home. Known for her trademark pink gowns and outspoken spirit, she became one of the world’s best-selling authors. The estate also holds a special literary connection — Beatrix Potter’s grandparents once owned Camfield Place, and Potter herself is believed to have visited as a child.
Farewell dinner and overnight accommodations at
The Bailey’s Hotel in London
Depart the following day
Tour Includes:
-Breakfast everyday, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
-6 nights of hotel accommodations
-Entrance into 10 attractions
-Private tours/guides at Jane Austen’s House, Great Maytham Hall, The Manor House, and Camfield Place
-Rare experiences not available to the public such as private tours and author talk/signing
-Private coach travel
-Enrich your experience by traveling alongside a delightful group of kindred spirits
-Surprises along the way!
Cost: £3400 (single supplement)
or £2900 (to share a room)
£595 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your reservation. The remaining cost is due 60 days prior to the tour.
*Flights not included
*The option to share a room will depend on whether other guests are also interested in room-sharing. Once we have confirmed the preferences of all participants, we will do our best to match guests who wish to share accommodations.
*Guests must be able to comfortably walk 2 miles
GUEST STORIES
“The people I’ve met on these trips I feel will become lifelong friends. Imagine going on a trip where you don’t know anyone, but you have so much in common with! Love for literature, afternoon teas, history, and bookstores. We are all able to nerd out and tear up about things that others don’t always understand.”
-Millicent E.
“Traveling with The Enchanted Book Club has been a life changing experience for me. To visit the settings from beloved books and stories I’ve adored all my life has been healing to say the least. I leave each trip with precious memories and new friendships. Hayley puts so much heart and care into planning these adventures. I feel so lucky to be a part of this community.”
-Cookie S.
“I don’t think I can properly convey how much this trip really meant to me. Spending a week immersed in literature, history, and friendship was so healing. To be surrounded by so many new friends from different backgrounds, yet all united in the love of books, was incredible. I still can’t believe everything we were able to see and do. The Enchanted Book Club is so much more than reading books. It is bringing together people from all walks of life and building a sense of community where everyone is free to be themselves.”
-Diana M.
“Touring the special places on Prince Edward Island was above and beyond my expectations. I was a solo traveler, but I never felt alone in this group of kindred spirits.”
–Sinta B.
How to make your reservation
1. Join The Enchanted Book Club
Our literary tours are a one-of-a-kind experience, reserved exclusively for the Enchanted Book Club community. By reserving tours for book club members, we create an opportunity for guests who share a love of stories to explore literary landmarks together. This sense of connection deepens the journey, as you’re not just traveling—you’re making memories with true kindred spirits who will become lifelong friends!
***FREE GIFT***
For a limited time, receive a beautiful edition of The Secret Garden when you become an Annual Member of The Enchanted Book Club. Special offer valid through May 29th, 2025, while supplies last. Ships internationally.
2. Enter our registration raffle
Due to high interest, tour guests are selected through a raffle. The raffle closes on Thursday, May 29th @ 12pm PST/3pm EST. Selected guests will be contacted on Friday, May 30th @ 9am PST/12pm PST.
***INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF BEING SELECTED***
We hold two separate raffles: one for Annual Members and one for Monthly Members. The Annual Member raffle is drawn first. To increase your chances of being selected, we recommend becoming an Annual Member which includes 2 FREE months of book club + a complimentary edition of The Secret Garden. This is a $65 value for free!
Hello, kindred spirit!
About your host
hayley solano, founder & host
of the enchanted book club
I’ll never forget the first time I walked into Jane Austen’s home. It was as if the stories I’ve always loved leaped off the pages before my eyes. To see Jane’s tiny desk, to thumb through the pages of Pride & Prejudice with a view of her garden, to step inside her bedroom, it was undeniably enchanting. I knew I wanted to give that experience to as many readers as I could.
What makes literary travel even more special is experiencing it amongst kindred spirits. Some of my most cherished memories have been made on Enchanted Book Club tours as women from all over the world come together to celebrate our favorite novels where they were written. I would absolutely love to meet you in England!