Tag Archives: garden

Thai Flower Power at Hampton Court

Posted on by By Vivienne DuBourdieu
Thailand garden, Hampton Court Flower Show. Photo Kulaphat Saeteng.

Thailand garden, Hampton Court Flower Show. Photo Kulaphat Saeteng.

‘Reflections of Thailand – Sala Rim Nam: House by the River’ – has secured both a Gold Award and the coveted The Tudor Rose award for Best Show Garden at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

This year’s garden is inspired by city life in old Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, and was built by The Tourism Authority of Thailand garden, co-sponsored by EVA Air.

Bangkok is encircled by a labyrinth of ‘klongs’ (canals) alive with communities afloat the Chao Phraya River.

The klongs are an escape to a more tranquil part of the city; a place to experience traditional, modest and contented ways of Thai life.

They are a playground for children, home to bustling floating markets and a peaceful place to rest in waterfront salas, a Thai outdoor living space.

The garden’s designer, James Clarke of Elevations Exhibitions, accepted the Best Show Garden award from Elizabeth Banks, President of the Royal Horticultural Society, on 6 July.

“We are honoured to have won two such fantastic awards this year and are extremely proud of our team’s hard work.” said Joanna Cooke, Consumer Marketing & PR Manager for the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Rick Hsieh, UK and Ireland General Manager for EVA Airways, added: “EVA Air is committed to supporting tourism growth to Thailand, as Bangkok is EVA’s premier destination from the UK.

“It is extremely gratifying to be part of this notable achievement, which underlines the beauty of Thailand and its enduring attraction for the British public.”

Advance full day tickets to the Hampton Court Flower Show cost £28, and entrance from 3-7.30pm costs £17.50. Tickets on the day cost £30 for the full day and £19 from 3pm-7.30pm. Children under 16 go free.

For more information on the show, please click here.

To see a 360 degree view of the Thailand Garden and image gallery visit the flower show website.

BBC coverage of the flower show here.

Britain’s ‘Shakespeare Country’ Comes Alive in Summer

Posted on by By Vivienne DuBourdieu
Hall's Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshir...
Image via Wikipedia

Holidaymakers from all over the world are drawn to Stratford-upon-Avon‘s gardens, falconry, architecture, and music.

The magic of ‘Shakespeare Country’ comes alive in summer, as incoming holidaymakers head for Britain’s countryside to tour its Elizabethan gardens, witness falconry, and take in the architecture and music that have become legendarily associated with Stratford-upon-Avon and its surrounding area.

Picture the delights of landscaped, cottage, exotic, and herbal gardens, taking in the abundance of scents and colours as you explore the charming gardens of Shakespeare Country.

“The area we call ‘Shakespeare Country’ is everyone’s idyllic mental image of Britain,” said Carol Maddison, VisitBritain‘s Marketing Manager for UAE.

“There is so much to do there this summer, and for the balance of the year – especially organized tours of some of the world’s very best formal gardens.”

Visit Britain recommends the following activities:

  • Visit Kenilworth Castle and tread the footsteps of a Queen in the newly recreated Elizabethan Garden; a replica of one of the greatest gardens of the Elizabethan age.
  • Join a historical garden tour at Blenheim Palace on 25 June and 20 August. The tour will concentrate on the way the Park and Gardens have changed over time and give insights into the colourful characters that shaped the Palace landscape.
  • Enjoy a summer long programme of events in Warwick.
  • August at St Nicholas Park with over 100 classes to choose from including cake making, preserves, vegetables, flowers, plants, handicraft, artwork and children’s classes.
  • Hill Close Gardens in Warwick is hosting a number of exciting events over the summer.
  • Sulgrave Manors garden is a garden for all seasons: a delight to visit at anytime of the year.
  • Enjoy a number of garden tours and workshops throughout the year at Ragley Hall.
  • Watch the regeneration of the Kitchen Garden at Hidcote Manor where a team of volunteer interpreters will explain more about the plans.
  • Visit Upton House which has undertaken a number of major changes including the launch of a new 1930s art deco-style holiday cottage, a new winter walk in the gardens and the restoration of the swimming pool.

For more information