The Dormy House Hotel in the Cotswolds is turning Japanese for the launch of four residential garden tours which will feature a Japanese tea ceremony and the chance to tour a privately-owned Japanese garden with the award winning designer Julian Dowle.
The first of the courses, which cost £450 for an inclusive package of luxury room, fine dining and transport to gardens, runs on 4th to 7th May 2010. The price also includes entry and guided tours of the gardens of Sudeley Castle, Kiftsgate and Sezincote and the chance to tour Hidcote with its head gardener. Subsequent tours will run: 1st to 4th, 8th to 11th June 2010, and 7th to 10th September 2010.
The private Japanese garden that guests visit is located in the grounds of the Farncombe Estate which is home to the Dormy House Hotel, near Broadway, and owned by the late Jørgen Philip-Sørensen. It was designed by Julian Dowle for Mr Jørgen Philip-Sørensen who has owned the Dormy House Hotel and the Farncombe Estate for over thirty years. Julian remains the only garden designer to win all 3 medals for a show garden at the annual Chelsea Flower Show.
Guests are shown around the garden by Julian himself, in addition to being treated to a special lesson in Japanese pruning and enjoying a relaxed dinner and question and answer session. The Japanese tea ceremony will be hosted by a local expert and involve the serving of green teas and authentic Japanese delicacies.
