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Soon snowdrops and winter aconite will make an appearance around the enchanting grotto and rock gardens – currently fantastically ferny! Ferns were the height of fashion in Victorian times and it seems today they are still a critically acclaimed garden choice – helped in part by the huge craze for fern filled stumperies, including Royal examples at Highgrove in Gloucestershire. Hellebores are also a popular choice at Cowley Manor and bow their heads as if to curtsey in appreciation to every admiring passing guest, a real asset to any gardener, flowering for weeks. A new one for me in my own garden this year was ‘Christmas Carol’ – a stunner in both looks and name!
As my walk continued, I passed the majestic Weeping Ash and Weeping Birch, who were certainly not teary from unhappiness, so elegant and proud in their bare branched winter form and just another example of the plethora of tree types on offer here.
Ginko, Wingnut, Evergreen Oak and an avenue of chestnuts from the 1850s can all be spotted during your adventure. In fact, the hotel has an excellent map which notes the location of the trees on site – the perfect afternoon activity for a family – see who can find the Yew first!
The botanical appreciation does not stop outside, inside, the C-Side Spa has its own range of bath, body and skincare products called ‘Green & Spring’ which take inspiration from the gardens of Cowley Manor, including lavender, rosemary and elderflower. I regularly partake in the Body Exfoliation and it is horticulturally heavenly!
The light having dimmed and temperature having dropped, it was time for me to hand back my boots. What better way to follow an invigorating ramble, than to familiarise myself with the log fire, a tempting pot of tea and an impressive selection of delicious sandwiches, scones and cakes?
May I suggest you visit this Queen of the Cotswolds and may your new year be full of winter walking and well-being!
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THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE CAMI L LA BAS S E T T - SMI TH
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