Ashton Under HIll Open Gardens

I first visit Ashton Under HIll Open Gardens back in 2022.  

The event that has now been running for 46 years including this year.

This year there were 23 different gardens of varying sizes to view.

Intially I took myself off up a lovely country lane to explore. I came across this incredible view overlooking miles and miles of unspoilt countryside. Sometimes it is nice to just enjoy the moment.

I then viewed around ten of the gardens open and focused on two to share.

 

 

The first garden I viewed the owners had only been there for four years, but you would not believe it based on the transformation of the space.

 

 

The entrance from the front itself was very different to many bungalows you see.

 

The owners had shared fascinating information about the progress of the garden work that had been and is still ongoing with work being carried out.

 

 

This was the amazing view from the bottom of the garden and the owner said it was the reason they bought the property was due to the view.

By contrast the other property I focused on, again new to be shown this year, was Old Manor Farm which dated back to 1600's.

 

I just loved the child-friendly touches dotted around the garden along with the whimsical additions of the mirrors on the wall and the metalwork houses and church, as I do so love extra additions to the garden.

I then carried on past the last house that was available to view and came across the very quaint thatched cottage and another amazing view through a hedge in the farmer's field and beyond.

 

Another landmark for the village is the church which dates back to 1624.  Inside they had created a display showing the gardens through the decades and the events that had happened during the 45 years the open garden scheme had been running.

 

I also loved seeing the crafts that the local craft group who meet weekly had made. 

The covering of the war memorial was something special with the different flowers that had been added.

 

I do love spotting the small details like the cute doll sitting on top of the sign.  The vivid red poppies against the Cotswold stone wall and I enjoyed coming across a new pond I never knew was there right by the church.

I have to say walking around this village and many other small Cotswold villages I have walked around the current book I am reading The Telephone Box Library by Rachael Lucas which is set in a Cotswold small village is so apt.

I am also slowly working my way through and reading all the Agatha Raisin books of which there are currently 36 in the series! which again is based here in the Cotswolds.

When I was visiting the first house a friend of the owner was sharing pottery she makes Luna Pots Ceramics.  I am so glad I bought my perfect little vase as she unfortunately does not have hardly any only presence to be able to purchase her wears, so I shall treasure my perfectly coordinated pottery to my yarn creations.

WWT Slimbridge

 

 

If you have been following this blog for a number of years, you will know that WWT Slimbridge is one of my favourite places to go.  

 

I have created a side tab (on the right) dedicated to Slimbridge where I have shared many visits.

 

I am so lucky that it is only about 30 minutes down the M5 and a short trip on the A38 and I'm there.

 

To me, Slimbridge has not only changed to accommodate what the public wants, but also massively what is needed for the environment and wildlife that visit. 

 

As I visit between 4-6 times a year, every year I have seen the transition over the year's.  The area that is in front of the Kingfisher Cafe, used to house one of the collection of Flamingo's.

 

To say the transition is just spectacular and the pictures really do not do it justice.

 

Over on Slimbridge's website, they have written a brilliant blog showing the stages it has taken to create this incredible addition to the site.

 

 

 

 The flowers around the site are so varied and always so lovely to spot.

As I walked around the site I used the Merlin.  A brilliant free way to identify birdsong, these were the birds that I heard in the three hours I spent walking around.

 

One of the highlights for me when visiting Slimbridge is the chance to walk along the  Summer walkway  You can normally walk right down to almost the riverbank. But at my time of visiting they had roped off the walk down through the grass due to protecting the nesting birds.

 

I did find it so funny though when I was sat quietly crocheting and I turned to look at the Shepherd's hut this huge camera lense poking out.

 

 This was my view from the estuary where I sat and did some slow steady crochet.

 

Obviously the WWT sites, of which there are 10, are famous for the birds and there are so many and the fact that it's chick season was so cute to witness.

 

 

To end my trip before heading out was to have a lovely cuppa and cake overlooking the new area.

I had every intention of walking along the canal before heading home.  But literally a minute into walking up the road I looked at the incredible sky to see this.

Whilst I do love a good cloud formation I was very glad I stuck to my gut and went back to the van and headed home having had the best few hours.

Getting out and walking in my local area.

I have mentioned in previous blogs how I love nature and would love to live somewhere closer to the sea and the countryside.

But for now, I have decided to also explore what is on my doorstep, be it a short drive or walk from home.

So I shall share a few of the places I have recently walked.

This is a lane in Cheltenham called Bushcombe Lane.  The area of Woodmancote has been around since 1170 with water mains being installed in 1891!

The houses going up the lane are just incredible.  But the whole area is way out of my budget, starting at a minimum of £400k!

I have never in all the 36 years I've lived in this town walked up here.  I have been on Cleeve Hill in the distance many times, but I will definitely be back to do a longer walk.

This view at the top of the road looks over to Winchcombe in the distance.

I  just loved the name of this house.

I walked along the road running parellel to the hill and down Stockwell Lane another tranquil but very steep hill.  I would not fancy being here in the ice!

I love that the village has this great signpost.  It reminded me of a trip me and my best friend did to Norfolk back in 2023 and saw so many different signs.

The second walk I did required no driving as it was a walk from home.  Admittedly to get to the initial start of the countryside, I have to go through both housing and industrial estates.  But not to be deterred after a couple of miles, here we are.

I so enjoy the chance to take time to notice the small details of which when in a vehicle or just generally you just ignore.

The detail on a simple Dandelion head is amazing.
 

This house is the station house for the train track, which I really like. It has incredible views, and just look at the Honeysuckle bush!  I rarely seem to see Honeysuckle these days and it smells so nice as well as looking lovely.

It is a shame you can't smell this Buddliea, as wow, it was just so delicate but amazing.

I think May is my favourite month, everywhere is so green and lush, and the blossom just lifts your spirits.

My walk was a simple one, following a country lane ending up at my local garden centre.  

The scone was so big I took half home for later!

Again, another great spot to work on my crochet and enjoy listening to people chatter and the stream which ran beside the cafe.