The charm of the Cotswolds

The Garden: Hidcote Manor

Hidcote Manor was described by its creator as a "wild garden in a formal setting", which perfectly sums up its schizophrenic qualities: precise and profuse, linear and lush. It has rightly acquired Holy Grail status in England, second only to Sissinghurst, as a garden which has influenced planting and design ever since.

Vita Sackville-West described Hidcote as a "jungle of beauty" when she saw it some years after its foundation in 1907. Most famous for its red border, where flowers in every shade of red are mixed with pink and purple foliage plants, the result is a little like a fire dying on the hearth - slumbering embers which occasionally spark into passionate flame - and was indeed mildly scandalous in its early years.

Across the road is the intriguing Kiftsgate Court which boasts a marvellous bluebell wood in April.

See Nearby - Stratford-upon-Avon

Hidcote's gardens is at its best between mid-June and mid-September, visit The National Trusts's website
Visit Kiftsgate Court's website.

The Church: St Mary's, Fairford

Well worth visiting is this classic 'wool' church, built of Cotswold stone in the perpendicular style in the 15th century. Its 28 precious stained glass are the only complete set of windows in England to have survived both the Reformation and the Commonwealth. During the Reformation the windows were whitewashed to disguise them and during the Civil War and the Second World War they were removed altogether for their protection.

Stained glass windows were the 15th-century equivalent of comics, art galleries and TV rolled into one for the largely illiterate population. Bear this in mind when surveying the 30-foot "Doom Window", which depicts a terrifying Last Judgement. Christ raises the dead while the Devil claims his own. It is a thinly disguised message of propaganda to reinforce the Church's power over your afterlife.

See Nearby - Great Coxwell Tithe Barn

Visit Fairford's website.

The Kids: Cotswold Farm Park & Batsford Falconry Centre

Take the kids to meet and cuddle a variety of rare breed farm animals at the Farm Park of the Year 2003 (Good Britain Guide). They can learn to drive a miniature tractor, bottle feed pet lambs and snuffling piglets or take a ride on the Farm Safari. There are also lambing, shearing and milk demonstrations.

Having hugged the lambs, the kids may be a little wary of birds of prey that like to eat them, but their fascination will override their fear at the Batsford Falconry Centre. See the trained falcons fly, and learn to balance an eagle or a snowy owl on your forearm -- this writer can testify that it is as exciting for adults as it is for the kids. The Arboretum next door has a beautiful walk.

See Nearby - The Slaughters and the Swells

For more information, visit the Cotswold Farm Park website.
Batsford Falconry Centre - www.batsford-arboretum.co.uk

The Walk: Westonbirt Arboretum

In the heart of Royal Gloucestershire, just miles from Highgrove and Badminton is one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the world. Wander 17 miles of trails through 600 landscaped acres and you can take in natural wonders aplenty. During spring, the rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias are magnificent. In summer, recline in a leafy glade or stroll the Lime Walk to take in the fluorescence of the leaves.

But autumn is really when the place comes into its own. Fabulous oranges, reds and golds grace the boughs of the maples, beeches and oaks, especially towards dusk when the fading light catches the colours best. Having said that, a turn in the park on a frosty winter day, especially in snow, is highly recommended when the brightly coloured stems of cherries, birches and dogwoods take centre stage. Christmas is lovely too, when fairy lights are draped through the branches to create a winter wonderland.

See Nearby - Barnsley House

For further details, visit Westonbirt Arboretum's website.