GARDENING – WI TH CAMI L LA BASSE T T-SMI TH


from Cleeve Hill on one side, to the Cheltenham Racecourse on the other. The hotel has its own private track to the latter, for the use of residents, so a perfect way to arrive in style for the International on the 14th/15th December.


It’s not only humans enjoying the view, as a wire horse sculpture stands tall, alone in a vast area of lawn, much like a living breathing creature, but in need of no winter fleece and perfectly happy to be adorned with fairy lights at this time of year!


There is plenty of yew on site and the red berries are plentiful this year. Some of the trees are left shaggy, while others are neatly clipped; I particularly liked the triangular specimen next to the house. Another example was interestingly under-planted with Cotoneaster and Bergenia, both able to cope with the dry, shaded conditions under the overhanging branches.


A Magnolia grandiflora showcases its dark glossy leaves alongside the brick walls and I even spied a tardy flower bud tucked inside the branches! What a strange year it has been horticulturally.


Lacecap hydrangeas hold onto their dried flower heads, which look glorious in the frost and Viburnum opens its white flowers like giant snowflakes. Of course no English country estate would be complete without lavender and box and there are plenty of both.


Herbs are mostly resting for the winter, but large modern willow planters are in place offering a great selection for use in the restaurant and nasal niceties for passers-by. Elsewhere the current merges effortlessly with the past, with sleek new square planters painted in no doubt a Farrow & Ball green, displaying small trees against the ancient house.


Inside from the cold, the warmth welcomes you to hundreds of years of history. The afternoon tea was perfect and plentiful and horticulturally rich from tomato and spicy chutney sandwiches to charismatic carrot cake! Fires roar and Christmas decorations are chic, displaying all the decorum of a debutant.


Now, boots on and back outside for a crisp and even ramble or perhaps on to The Spectacle of Light at nearby Sudeley Castle. There’s still time to add the Ellenborough experience to your Christmas list – classic Cotswolds not to be missed!


/ 79


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