Hosted
by Jean Moss and partner, Philip Mercer, these intimate
two-centred tours will give you a unique taste of
the best of the British knit scene. Every detail
has been handpicked to create a really memorable
and special experience for you.
Workshops and lectures from Jean and other
top British designers
Yarn and
textile-related people and places
Splendid independent hotels with delicious
food and atmosphere
5 days
each in two fabulous locations in city and countryside
Wonderful gardens
and historic houses
Lots of activities
and interest for non-knitters too
Music, dance and much
more
 Escape
from everything with some glorious knitting in wild,
romantic Wales and the cultured Scottish capital
of Edinburgh. Soon after your welcome at Manchester
Airport the road signs will change to Welsh and
you will see more sheep than people and you will
be on your way into the heart of Wales.
 A
lunch stop at Llangollen, a market town and home
of the eccentric Ladies of Llangollen, and then
arrive at Tyddyn Llan, your elegant Georgian country
house hotel on the edge of Snowdonia near Bala,
once a thriving pre-industrial centre for hand-knitted
stockings.
Jean's
morning workshop followed by a trip to Powis Castle
with its splendid terraced gardens and topiary -
its micro-climate supports many tender and exotic
plants. Glittering glass sculptures at the Andrew
Logan Museum. Knit your way to the fantasy paradise
of Portmeirion on the narrow-gauge railway from
the historic Blaeneau Slate Mines. Set on the coast
of Snowdonia amid sub-tropical wild gardens and
sweeping sandy beaches (and the location of the
quirky TV series The Prisoner), Portmeirion is painted
in vivid verdigris, terracottas and golds and is
a riot of eccentric statuary , tromp l'oeil and
restored architectural gems - truly inspirational.
 Knitting
workshop at intimate Cymerau Hall, overlooking Cardigan
Bay. Colinette Dyeworks to watch the textile
alchemy of her fabulous hand-painted yarns and marvel
at the millions of colours on the shelves. Chance
to replenish your stash! The end of your stay in
Wales will be celebrated by an evening of song and
Welsh music by Jean’s long-time friend and
guitar virtuoso, Anthony Griffiths.
En
route to Edinburgh, via Hadrian's Wall, visit Hawick,
a cashmere lover's mecca. In Scotland's capital
your base will be The Bonham - a stylish boutique
Victorian hotel full of contemporary Scottish art
and close to Edinburgh’s West End.
 Renowned
as the Athens of the North, Edinburgh is one of
the most cultured cities in the world. With its
autumnal mellow fruitfullness and hazy twilights
it is bound to cast its spell over you. Explore
the elegant streets and squares of the classical
Georgian New Town and the winding serendipity of
the rugged Old Town with zigzag steps and secret
corners.
 Garden-lovers
will relish the Royal Botanic Gardens with its Victorian
Palm House, exotic collections and
rare specimen trees. Day trip to the rugged and
historic university city of St Andrews,
(where golf was invented!) - making a beeline for
Di Gilpin's yarn shop, followed by dinner and a
ceilidh with our own traditional Scots musicians
Ewan Sutherland and Stewart Warrender!
 Special
visits to the world-famous Dovecot Tapestry Studio
and the Edinburgh Tartan Weaving Mill. Lots of independent
time to explore the delights of Edinburgh
- the Grassmarket, Jenners in Princes Street, the
new Harvey Nicholls, the Castle, museums and galleries,
bookshops and boutiques,
antique, craft and vintage textile shops - or just
to take your knitting to a cafe and soak up the
unique atmosphere of Auld Reekie.
Optional
tour extension to London for Knitting
& Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, 9 -
12 October. When you reserve your place please indicate
if you are interested in this extension and we will
give further details.
PROGRAMME
Knitting
Gardens Food
| DAY
1 |
|
|
 |
am |
Start
Manchester Airport at 10.30am |
| |
lunch
Llangollen & Plas Newydd
house and gardens |
| pm |
Settle
in to Tyddyn Llan, our country house hotel |
| eve |
Welcome
reception |
| |
Jean's
Lecture:
The
Joy of Knitting |
| |
Dinner |
| |
|
|
| DAY
2 |
|
|
 |
am |
Jean's
workshop: Short-row knitting |
| pm |
free |
| eve |
Show
& Share
with Jean |
| |
Dinner |
| |
|
|
| DAY
3 |
|
|
 |
am |
Colinette
Dyeworks,
Studio and Yarn Shop |
| pm |
Powis
Castle,
Welshpool |
| |
Andrew
Logan Gallery |
| eve |
Dinner
in a local traditional pub |
| |
|
|
| DAY4
|
|
|
 |
am |
Jean’s
workshop |
| pm |
Ffestiniog
narrow gauge rail to Portmeirion
Village and Garden |
| |
Optional
visit to Llechwedd Slate Mine |
| eve |
Sasha
Kagan’s lecture : Designs
on Nature |
| |
Dinner |
| |
|
|
| DAY
5 |
|
|
 |
am |
Sasha
Kagan’s workshop:
Colour from the Country |
| pm |
Jean’s
lecture: Cross-Overs between Knitting
and Gardens |
| eve |
Dinner
with music from guitar virtuoso Anthony Griffiths
(Jean on spoons!) |
| |
|
|
| DAY
6 |
|
|
 |
am |
Travel
to Edinburgh via Hawick
Cashmere |
| pm |
Settle
in The Bonham |
| |
Dinner
|
| |
|
|
| DAY
7 |
|
|
 |
am |
Tour
of Edinburgh |
| pm |
Independent
sightseeing and shopping |
| eve |
Lecture |
| |
Independent
dining |
| |
|
|
| DAY
8 |
|
|
 |
am |
Guest
Designer’s Workshop:
to be confirmed |
| pm |
Royal
Botanic Gardens Tour |
| eve |
Share
& Solve knitters’
clinic |
| |
Dinner |
| |
|
|
| DAY
9 |
|
|
 |
am |
Day
trip to St. Andrews via Falkland
Palace |
| pm |
Visit
Di Gilpin's knitwear
and yarn shop |
| eve |
Dinner
and ceilidh with Scots music from Stewart Warrender
& Euan Sutherland |
| |
|
|
| DAY
10 |
|
|
 |
am |
Visit
Dovecot Tapestry
Studios & Edinburgh Tartan
Weaving Mill |
| pm |
Independent
sightseeing and shopping |
| eve |
Farewell
dinner in Edinburgh
restaurant |
| |
|
|
| DAY
11 |
am |
Coach
to Glasgow International Airport,
or flight from Edinburgh to London
for the Knitting
& Stitching Show
(9 - 12 October) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Price
UK£2,200
- (single supplement £320)
CURRENCY
CONVERTER
 5%
discount if you book 150 days or more before departure.
10% discount for non-knitters.
Price includes all accommodation, breakfasts, seven
dinners and one lunch, all travel within the UK,
all workshops and lectures, admissions togardens
and museums, specialist garden guides and everything
on the published itinerary (and usually more). Almost
the only thing that is not included is your flights
to and from the UK and travel insurance.
Partners' Programmes
 We
very much welcome non-knitters. There is a wealth
of activities and attractions for people not wishing
to attend the knitting sessions including: galleries
and museums; hiking and biking; golf & water
sports; ornithology; horse-riding; archaeology;
narrow-gauge and steam railways; and, of course,
many other wonderful gardens and historic houses.
WHAT MAKES OUR TOURS REALLY SPECIAL?
We have personally
researched and sampled every bit of our tours
We have run our tours
for eight years and have a reputation for excellence
We aim to create a house party
feel about our trips
We base each tour only in two locations
to allow you to settle in and feel at home
As well as good design and
beauty we appreciate the quirky side of life
Where possible we love to get off the beaten
track
Above all we want you to have
a great time and a memorable knitting holiday
Click
here to reserve a place, or for more information
email jmtours@dircon.co.uk
or phone/fax +44 (0) 1904 646282 |
'Extremely
well-organized and planned... Jean and Philip are
incredible hosts. I would happily sign on for a
tour again' (Michele) 
