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2016 marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown (1716-1783), considered England’s greatest gardener who created the character of the quintessential English landscape.

Saga guests can view one of Capability Brown’s most spectacular landscapes at Harewood House during the Gardens of Yorkshire holiday on May 29, 2016.

The 100-acre grounds were transformed by Brown in the 1770s and the naturalistic landscape includes his signature serpentine lake, parkland and carriage drives.

His vision was on an immense scale and farmland was given over to romantic vistas later captured by artists including JMW Turner.

The lake covers 32 acres and the woodland on either side contains oak, chestnut, beech and hornbeam trees with glades offering views across the lake. The woodland is also home to more than 100 different rhododendrons which, weather depending, should be full of colour during the visit.

Guests on Saga’s five-night holiday stay on a half-board basis in the grade II listed Cedar Court Hotel, in the spa town of Harrogate, which overlooks 200 acres of parkland.

Further garden visits, accompanied by an expert host, include Castle Howard - one of Yorkshire’s finest historic estates and the location for the recent filming of Death to Pemberley. There will also be a guided tour of Yorkshire Arboretum, a 120-acre site containing an important collection of trees from around the world.

RHS Harlow Carr, on the ancient hunting ground in the Forest of Knaresborough, is also on the itinerary, as well as Newby Hall, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Here, the 25-acre garden with rock, rose, water and tropical gardens all lead from a central alleyway lined with herbaceous borders.

There will also be a walk in Harrogate’s award-winning Valley Gardens, where 36 of Harrogate’s wells spring to the surface, and a visit to York Gate Garden, an outstanding example of 20th century garden design.
Visit saga.co.uk/gardens or call 0800 414 441

Ends

Five nights from £599, includes half-board accommodation, saga representative and expert host, porterage, three full-day and one half-day tours.

Editors: Saga Holidays is the winner of 16 Gold British Travel Awards 2015 including Best for All-Inclusive Holidays. Saga Holidays offer a variety of River Cruises, Long-Haul, European and UK destinations, exclusively available for people aged 50 and over. All Saga holidays include welcome drink, porterage of luggage and cancellation cover.

About Saga
Saga is a leading provider of products and services primarily tailored for customers over the age of 50 in the UK. The Saga brand has been carefully developed over the past 60 years to become one of the most recognised and trusted brands among UK consumers aged over 50. Saga is synonymous in the UK with the over 50s market and is recognised for its high quality products and services. These include cruises and holidays, home and motor insurance, savings and share dealing and the UK’s award winning Saga Magazine.