Cotswolds Cuttings


GARDENERS CUTTINGS


a look at news, events and happenings in the Cotswolds


Great outdoor activities round National Trust properties this autumn


Gone are the days when National Trust properties closed their doors in the autumn for months. This is just the right time to see the autumn colour in the NT parklands and landscape gardens, to take your camera and maybe a picnic too.


Some, like Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate in Gloucestershire offer a walk with the ranger to discover more, and see the autumn colours. A tour is being held on Sunday 23rd


10.30am until 12.30pm. The cost is £3 per adult, and booking is essential on 01451 844257.


Charlecote Park in Warwickshire, a Capability Brown landcape garden


At Stourhead in Wiltshire there is an Autumn Colour Walk on Sunday 30th


October between


10.30am and 12.30pm. This is a woodland walk with the estate ranger who will escort visitors through the wonderful golden glory of the trees round the lake and classical garden buildings at this time of year. Discover how the National Trust manages the wider landscape. The cost of the walk is £10 for adults, £5 for children, and booking is essential, on 0844 249 1895.


Further north and into Shakespeare country, to the place where according to folklore he was caught poaching a deer as a lad, is Charlecote Park in Warwickshire, a Capability Brown landscape with wonderful parkland. They have several events celebrating the season, including a Wildlife Photography Walk to see parts of the parkland normally closed to the public, on Tuesday 4th for which the charge is £5, and booking is advised.


October at 2pm,


Other walks include ‘From Park to Plate’, a two-hour guided walk starting at 10am on Wednesday 26th


On Thursday 27th October and Friday 28th and 30th October through the parkland with the warden who will


describe how it is managed, and about the animals that abound there. All tickets are £25 as it includes lunch, and booking is essential.


park walks of about 45 minutes duration, free events with normal admission charges. On the weekend of 29th costing £2.


October and Tuesday 25th


October at 12pm there will be family October there will be Hallowe’en Trails


Deer Park Safaris are also being organised at Charlecote, on various dates between Saturday 8th


ride through the parkland to see the picturesque sights of the herd of fallow deer.


For more information on other events at Charlecote, where the parkland is open all year, and for booking for specific events telephone 01789 470277 or visit the website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk and follow the links.


Country Gardener October, when you can join a tractor-pulled


Cotswolds benefits from ‘Downton Abbey syndrome’


Gardens and period properties in the Cotswolds are benefitting from what’s now known as the ‘Downton Abbey syndrome’!


The Emmy Award winning ITV period drama with its record-breaking viewing figures, has taken more than the entertainment world by storm.


October from


According to new statistics, it is also having an impact on the Cotwolds, as fans flock to period properties and gardens to create their own experience of Downton glamour.


The historical drama, which premiered its second season on Sunday night, is inspiring travellers to rediscover a swathe of period properties across Britain, with searches for historic retreats soaring. The biggest area to benefit from the ‘Downton’ syndrome is the Cotswolds where many houses and their gardens have been reporting higher than normal number of visitors this autumn.


Dumbleton Hall in Cotswolds, a 19th century manor house with 19 acres of private gardens and woodland with a private lake, has been one of the top searched properties.


Sudeley Castle set against the backdrop of the Cotswold hills and is steeped in history is another to benefit. Surrounding the castle are ten gardens and a wild flower walk to the tithe barn and heritage seed library with rare vegetables.


Stanway House also perfectly fits the style of Downton. The house and gardens are a jewel surrounded by beautiful landscaped parkland and villages. There are two wonderful water features.


The property that garnered the most visitors was Tylney Hall in Hampshire, a regal country house hotel with a lush 66 acre garden and parkland.


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