Learn how Jason Goodwin and Simon Tiffin turned their passion for horticulture into G&T Garden Tours, offering exclusive access to some of Dorset and Somerset’s most remarkable private gardens.
Get 10% off the G&T Secret Garden tour — simply mention Sage Journal on your booking form!
In the rolling green countryside of Dorset and Somerset, where hedgerows turn into wild meadows and historic manor houses sit among ancient oaks, two men are opening the gates to some of England’s most extraordinary private gardens.
Jason Goodwin and Simon Tiffin, founders of G&T Garden Tours, have turned their shared passion for landscape and horticulture into an intimate and immersive experience for fellow garden lovers.
Founders of G&T Garden Tours, Simon Tiffin and Jason Goodwin
The idea for G&T Garden Tours was planted over dinner on a mid-winter’s evening. “Our shared love of West Dorset’s landscape and the joy we found in all of our friends’ wonderful gardens inspired us,” Jason recalls. “From there, we secured a stunning manor house, designed a website, and launched an Instagram account. The beauty of West Dorset did the rest!”
Simon, a former journalist and magazine editor, says, “What I loved about creating a magazine was starting with 100 blank pages and collaborating with the most creative people I could find to fill them with interesting, thought-provoking content. Jason and I approached designing G&T’s garden tours with the same mindset.”
G&T are a distinctive style of garden tour — one that abstains the typical coach-to-garden-to-coach experience in favour of something more personal, and more immersive. “We wanted our guests to feel like they were coming to stay for a country house weekend — one that just happens to run all week!” Simon explains.
What sets G&T Garden Tours apart is the access they provide to some of the region’s most remarkable private gardens — many of which are only open to the public through these exclusive tours. “All the gardens we visit belong to friends,” says Jason. “Many open their gates just for G&T, making each visit a truly special experience.”
From Chilcombe’s historic painterly garden to the romantic charm of the Bannermans’ garden, every stop on the tour offers something unique. There’s the artistry of renowned designers, the joy of unexpected plant combinations, and the wisdom of seasoned gardeners eager to share their insights.
While Jason and Simon may not be professional gardeners themselves, their love for horticulture runs deep. Jason’s fascination with plants has roots stretching back centuries — quite literally. His favourite, the Algerian iris (Iris unguicularis), was brought to Dorset by English pirates in the 17th century. Simon, on the other hand, finds endless delight in the humble wild primrose (Primula vulgaris), which self-seeds with abandon through his garden in Stoke Abbott.
Their personal histories also weave into their passion for gardening. Jason remembers living with a grandmother in the New Forest, where the garden was a hub of pruning, weeding and the swapping of cuttings between sisters.
Each season brings new highlights to the tours. Looking back on last year’s tour, Simon recalls the sheer delight of seeing guests’ smiles at the end of the week. Jason, meanwhile, was struck by the unique dynamic of Jenny and John Makepeace’s ‘his and hers’ gardens, as well as the quiet wisdom of photographer and plantsman Howard Sooley.
For those lucky enough to secure a place on this year’s tours, there’s plenty to look forward to. Every year, Jason and Simon refine the itinerary, adding fresh experiences while keeping beloved favourites. And for those who can’t make it this time around? Plans for next year are already taking shape.
Over the years, both men have gathered their own pearls of gardening wisdom. Simon’s top tip: “Never stick with a plant you don’t love, hoping you’ll eventually grow to like it. Rip it out and replace it with something you do.” Jason takes a more contemplative approach: “Some of the best garden planning happens beside the fire in winter.”
So what’s next for G&T Garden Tours? For now, Jason and Simon are content to keep sharing this enchanting corner of England with fellow garden lovers from around the world. However, one day they might just take their passion for gardens even further afield.
One thing is certain: for those who join them, the experience is nothing short of magical — a rare chance to step inside a world of beauty, history and inspiration, guided by two people who know exactly how to make a garden come alive.
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About G&T Garden Tours
Jason Goodwin and Simon Tiffin founded G&T Garden Tours to share their passion for the breathtaking gardens and landscapes of Dorset and Somerset. Their tours are uniquely curated to showcase the stunning landscapes, exceptional cuisine and rich heritage of this historic and beautiful region of England.
For 2025, G&T Garden Tours is offering three exclusive English garden experiences, and while Earthly Paradise and Summer Glow are fully booked, there are still some spaces remaining for the newly introduced Secret Garden tour in June. With bookings open for the 2026 tour season, too.
— Get 10% off the G&T Secret Garden tour — simply mention Sage Journal on your booking form!
www.gtgardentours.co.uk
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Photography by Sophy Roberts
