Brightwater Holidays logo

About Brightwater Holidays

If there’s a garden or archaeological site you’ve always wanted to see, we’d love to help you see it. From the northern tip of Scotland to the southern reaches of Cornwall, the villas of Italy to the temples of Japan, you can discover it all on a Brightwater Holidays tour. ....more

Reasons to tour with Brightwater Holidays

Over 30 years of experience in creating award-winning coach holidays and tours to the very best of Scenic Scotland, UK and Overseas Gardens, and Archaeological sites

Great value for money with coach travel, visits, accommodation and most evening meals included, and no hidden extras

Exclusive access to private gardens and visits

Enjoy peace of mind with financial protection & Flexible booking options available

Holidays accompanied by personable, experienced and professional Tour Managers, ranging from a former Head Gardener to HM the Queen Mother to broadcasters and popular horticulturalists

All local travel aboard a private air-conditioned coach, with adequate space that will allow you to maintain social distancing

Travel with Confidence and be COVID safe with Brightwater Holidays.

As we continue to navigate the ongoing global pandemic, we understand that your health and safety will be at the top of your priority list when considering your next holiday – more so than ever before. Let us reassure you that it is at the top of ours, too. However, ....more

What We Offer

Fantastic value for money and hassle-free travel! Plus, we cater for different needs and activity levels. As our collection of holidays is so broad, it means that we can cater for all kinds of interests – from ancient archaeological sire to island-hopping adventures – and varying activity levels.

Accreditations & Associations

Association of Group Travel Organisers
Association of Group Travel Organisers
Atol Protected
Atol Protected
ABTOT Member 5001
ABTOT Member 5001

Images

Awards

Brightwater Holidays' awards

Bronze Best Holiday Coach Company 2020
Bronze Best Holiday Coach Company 2020
Silver Best Special Interest Holiday Company 2019
Silver Best Special Interest Holiday Company 2019
Gold Best Coach Holiday Company
Gold Best Coach Holiday Company

Our Story

What can you expect when you travel with Brightwater Holidays?

Brightwater Holidays has been based in Fife’s county town of Cupar for the last 25 years. In that time, we have made it our mission to provide quality garden and special interest tours to individuals, private clubs and societies up and ....more

Brightwater Holidays Reviews

Trusted Customer  

Brightwater Holidays offers great value

28-Nov-2019

I would highly recommend Brightwater Holidays. It offers excellent service and value for money. This was my first tour as I normally arrange holidays myself, but this tour - which was to the gardens of Kent and Sussex - was a very pleasant change of pace.

Brightwater Holidays Customer  

My experience with Brightwater Holidays

08-Aug-2019

The tour was well managed, the sites visited were all interesting and linked to the theme of the Picts and their place in history, the hotel was comfortable and the coach journeys were well paced. I have been with Brightwater before and will certainly travel with them again

Alan Hawkes (Google Reviewer)  

28-Aug-2022

We were on the Tour of the Outer Hebrides. We had a great experience, in no small part due to the excellence of the tour manager and driver.

ALEXANDRA MCQUEEN (Google Reviewer)  

17-Oct-2023

Been trying to get a reply from them for over a week. Booked Xmas tour, confirmation said pick up subject to numbers, they never said anything when booking and theyve been paid in full. Would not recommend!

Eric Webb (Google Reviewer)  

07-Oct-2023

Recent (September 2023) Scottish holiday not so good. Various 'issues' to do with scheduling and organisation. I'm happy to report however that - after an interval - a letter expressing disappointment brought a full response - including a generous refund. So - with fingers slightly crossed - we'll be booking with Brightwater again in due course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?

You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.

What facilities do your coaches have?

Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.

Do I have to go on the included excursions?

Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.

Is there time to relax?

Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.

Do I need to be an expert?

Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.

How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?

You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding

Do you have self-drive holidays?

Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!

What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?

There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.

Where are your departure points?

UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .

What about the company that will be kept?

For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.

What is a Brightwater Holiday?

Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.

Why is there a single supplement?

Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.

How much are your optional excursions?

Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.

Can I pre-book my coach seats?

Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.

How to get there? Easy!

With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.

Do I need to have travel insurance?

Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.

Videos

tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Arran, Scotland in Miniature
4 Nights $1675
1,227 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Pirnmill, Northern Europe, United Kingdom, ...more

Visiting: Pirnmill, Northern Europe, United Kingdom, Ardrossan, Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park, Catacol, Lochranza Distillery, Scotland, Blackwaterfoot, UK & Ireland, Goatfell, Brodick ...less View Tour

View Tour
Recommended
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Gardens of Dumfries and Galloway
3 Nights $1185
456 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden, Dumfries House, ...more

Visiting: Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden, Dumfries House, Glenwhan Gardens and Tearoom, Kirkcudbright, Northern Europe, Logan House Gardens, Broughton House & Garden, Crawick Multiverse, Dumfries House, Drumlanrig Castle & Gardens, Scotland, Logan Botanic Garden, UK & Ireland, Dumfries ...less View Tour

View Tour
Recommended
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Undiscovered Orkney
4 Nights $2095
472 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Rackwick, Noltland Castle, OLD WORLD ORDER ...more

Visiting: Rackwick, Noltland Castle, OLD WORLD ORDER MEGALITHIC THE DWARFIE STANE, HOY, ORKNEY ISLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN, UK & Ireland, Maeshowe, Scotland, Helmsdale, Scapa, Standing Stones of Stenness, Westray, Stromness, Natural Arch, Westray Heritage Trust, Kirkwall, Skara Brae Prehistoric Village, Northern Europe, Island Tours of Hoy, Scrabster, Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, United Kingdom ...less View Tour

View Tour
Recommended
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides (5 Days)
4 Nights $1535
1,989 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Mallaig, Shawbost, UK & Ireland, Scotland, ...more

Visiting: Mallaig, Shawbost, UK & Ireland, Scotland, Ullapool, United Kingdom, Eriskay, Stornoway, Northern Europe, Benbecula, Calanais Standing Stones, Luskentyre, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village Ltd, Leverburgh, Vatersay Island ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Islay and Jura
4 Nights $2935
634 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Loch Finlaggan, Colonsay, UK & Ireland, ...more

Visiting: Loch Finlaggan, Colonsay, UK & Ireland, Inveraray, Craighouse, Jura, The Museum of Islay Life, Bowmore Distillery, Scotland, Northern Europe, Port Ellen, Kiloran Bay, Islay, Kintyre, Kennacraig ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Lord of the Glens – 8 day cruise Secrets of the Highlands and Islands
7 Nights $4895
316 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Fort Augustus, UK & Ireland, Culloden, Inverie, ...more

Visiting: Fort Augustus, UK & Ireland, Culloden, Inverie, Loch Ness, Kyle of Lochalsh, McCaig's Tower & Battery Hill, Sound of Sleat, Eigg, Armadale, Clan Donald Centre, Corpach, Tobermory, Muirtown Basin Marina, Northern Europe, Duart Castle, Eilean Donan, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Inverness, Oban, Clava Cairns, Isle of Iona, United Kingdom, Urquhart Castle ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Gardens and Flora of Tasmania and Victoria with Colin Crosbie
19 Nights $11685
70 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Hobart, Melbourne, Tasmanian Arboretum, ...more

Visiting: Hobart, Melbourne, Tasmanian Arboretum, Launceston, Inverawe Native Gardens, Grey Sands Vineyard, Dandenongs, Marakoopa Creek, London, Australia, Geelong, Romaine ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Seasonal Gardens of Japan
12 Nights $7975
584 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Omihachiman, Nara, Tokyo, Rikugien Gardens, The ...more

Visiting: Omihachiman, Nara, Tokyo, Rikugien Gardens, The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Kamakura, Nakamise-dori Street, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kyoto, Takanawa, Osaka, Lake Biwa, Shiga, Kamakura Hasedera, Hamarikyu Gardens, Shunkaen Bonsai Museum, Tōdai-ji, Hakone, Nanzen-ji, Sensō-ji, Former Furukawa Gardens, Otsu, Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens, Japan, Kyoto Botanical Gardens ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | In the Footsteps of the Picts
3 Nights $1115
641 Views heart_plus

Visiting: East Lomond, Scotland, UK & Ireland, Edinburgh, ...more

Visiting: East Lomond, Scotland, UK & Ireland, Edinburgh, Saint Vigeans, The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum, Aberlemno, Northern Europe, St Andrews, United Kingdom, National Museum of Scotland, Perth Art Gallery ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Grenada – Gardens of the Spice Island
8 Nights $3950
155 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Saint George's, Grenada, Grenada, Sunnyside ...more

Visiting: Saint George's, Grenada, Grenada, Sunnyside Garden, London ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Gardens of Barbados
8 Nights $4125
169 Views heart_plus

Visiting: George Washington House, Hunte's Gardens, ...more

Visiting: George Washington House, Hunte's Gardens, Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Harrison's Cave Eco-Adventure Park, Barbados, Barbados, Bridgetown, Bridgetown Close, Tropical Garden Barbados, Cherry Tree Hill, Saint Nicholas Abbey, Flower Forest Botanical Gardens, Speightstown, London ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Portuguese Archaeology
8 Nights $3250
426 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Great Dolmen of Zambujeiro, Lisbon, Coimbra, ...more

Visiting: Great Dolmen of Zambujeiro, Lisbon, Coimbra, Templo Romano Évora, Porto, Bom Jesus do Monte, National Palace of Pena, Sintra National Palace, Evora, Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Jerónimos Monastery, Sintra, Museu Nacional de Arqueologia, Southern Europe, Portugal, Guimaraes ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Crete Archaeology
7 Nights $2410
629 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Knossos Palace, Heraklion, Rethimno, Faistos, ...more

Visiting: Knossos Palace, Heraklion, Rethimno, Faistos, Agios Nikolaos, Spinalonga, Amari Valley, Schisma Eloundas, Southern Europe, Zaros, Gortyn, Greece ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Shetland and its Outer Isles
4 Nights $1955
919 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Croft House Museum, Lerwick, Scotland, Aberdeen, ...more

Visiting: Croft House Museum, Lerwick, Scotland, Aberdeen, Yell, Baltasound, Northern Europe, United Kingdom, Burravoe, Mousa Island, Unst, Gutcher, UK & Ireland ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Palladian Villas of Veneto
4 Nights $2520 inc flight
62 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Southern Europe, Padua, Villa dei Vescovi, ...more

Visiting: Southern Europe, Padua, Villa dei Vescovi, Luvigliano, Asolo, UK & Ireland, Valmarana Villa To The Dwarfs Vicenza, Northern Europe, Scrovegni Chapel, Italy, London, Giardino Privato - Le Paradis des Papillons, Olympic Theater, Vicenza, University of Padua Botanical Garden, Venice, Villa Godi Malinverni, Villa la Rotonda, United Kingdom, Villa di Maser, Villa Barbarigo, Villa Pisani National Museum ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | RHS Garden Bridgewater and Gardens of the North West
3 Nights $975
902 Views heart_plus

Visiting: RHS Garden Bridgewater, Dunham Massey, Northern ...more

Visiting: RHS Garden Bridgewater, Dunham Massey, Northern Europe, UK & Ireland, Cheshire, England, Tatton Park, Trentham Estate, United Kingdom ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo
3 Nights $2095
653 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Villa d'Este, Italy, Rome, Villa Lante, The ...more

Visiting: Villa d'Este, Italy, Rome, Villa Lante, The Gardens Of Ninfa, Viterbo, Castel Gandolfo, Southern Europe ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Lord of the Glens – 8 day cruise Inland Waterways and Idyllic Isles
7 Nights $4895
258 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Kyle Rhea, Neptune's Staircase, Eilean Donan, ...more

Visiting: Kyle Rhea, Neptune's Staircase, Eilean Donan, Eigg, Inverie, Kyle of Lochalsh, Loch Ness, Sound of Sleat, Oban, Northern Europe, Tobermory, Armadale, Caledonian Canal, Corpach, Loch Oich, Sound of Mull, Fort Augustus, United Kingdom, Inverness, Isle of Iona, Loch Lochy, UK & Ireland ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Gardens and Palaces of India
13 Nights $4195
57 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Delhi, London, Taj Mahal, Garden Of Five Senses, ...more

Visiting: Delhi, London, Taj Mahal, Garden Of Five Senses, India, Agra, Jaipur, Samode Bagh, Udaipur, Jodhpur ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Gardens and Wildlife of Western Canada
9 Nights $5610
135 Views heart_plus

Visiting: The Butchart Gardens, London, Parksville, ...more

Visiting: The Butchart Gardens, London, Parksville, Nanaimo, Vancouver, Victoria, Canada, Tofino, Ucluelet ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Historic Houses of the Scottish Borders (no single room supplement)
3 Nights $1257
254 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Abbotsford The Home Of Sir Walter Scott, Floors ...more

Visiting: Abbotsford The Home Of Sir Walter Scott, Floors Castle, Northern Europe, United Kingdom, Thirlestane Castle, UK & Ireland, Mellerstain House, Traquair House, Manderston House ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Nova Scotia in the Fall
8 Nights $7205
94 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Lunenburg, Canso Causeway, Hector Heritage Quay, ...more

Visiting: Lunenburg, Canso Causeway, Hector Heritage Quay, Cape Breton Highlands, Chéticamp, Alexander Keith's, Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, Canada, Mahone Bay, Halifax, Alexander Graham Bell Museum Store, Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, Baddeck, Fortress Of Louisbourg, Cabot Trail, Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens, Cape Forchu Lighthouse, London, Yarmouth, Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | Gardens and Temples of Ancient Egypt
11 Nights $5945
83 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Egypt, Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo Temple, ...more

Visiting: Egypt, Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo Temple, Cairo, Esna, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Edfu Temple, London, Khan El Khalili Bazaar ...less View Tour

View Tour
tourhub | Brightwater Holidays | South Africa’s Garden Route
14 Nights $6015
197 Views heart_plus

Visiting: Cape Town, Drakensberg, Sani Pass, Wilderness, ...more

Visiting: Cape Town, Drakensberg, Sani Pass, Wilderness, Lesotho, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Gqeberha, London, Mossel Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Vergelegen Wine Estate, Table Mountain, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Durban Botanic Gardens, Babilonstoring, Hermanus ...less View Tour

View Tour