Take a Virtual Walk in our Favourite Cotswold Gardens

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Now that the colours of autumn are slowly starting to fade away as daylight hours shorten, we all need something to look forward to. Summer cannot come soon enough, so we would like to invite you on a virtual stroll to some of the most wonderful and glorious Cotswold gardens when they are at their best. Perhaps the vibrant display of flowers, impressive design elements, and unique plants will inspire you to sow seeds and plant bulbs in your own garden, however big or small, whilst waiting for spring to arrive and dreaming of your next adventure in the Cotswolds.

 

A riot of colour at one of our favourite gardens: Kiftsgate Court Gardens
Photo © Margaret Clavell

What is so special about Cotswold gardens?

The gardens of the Cotswolds are widely celebrated and attract visitors from all over the world. From traditional English country gardens featuring beautiful herbaceous borders, topiary and wildflower meadows in perfect balance, to the ones with intriguing designs such as the Arts and Crafts style ‘garden rooms’ or the grandiose and perfectly landscaped ones with royal connections. The Cotswolds is blessed with an abundance of extraordinary gardens for all seasons. There is something for everyone to enjoy: rare plants, unique design ideas, spectacular views of the English countryside, and fascinating stories about the gardens and their owners, past and present. What is more, the honey-coloured cottages and emerald green rolling hills provide the perfect backdrop to the roses, delphiniums, sweet peas, lilies, lavenders, and the like that burst into a riot of colour during the spring and summer months, transforming the area into a land straight out of a fairytale.

 

Dramatic views to the Malvern Hills and beyond from Kiftsgate Court Gardens. Photo © Margaret Clavell

Some of our favourite Cotswold gardens

One of the most exciting events in the Cotswolds is when we all get to take a sneak peek behind the façades of the historic streets of Chipping Campden: the weekend of Open Gardens. Every year, twenty or more private gardens open their gates to the public and the owners share their gardening knowledge. From tiny cottage gardens to larger landscaped ones, there is a fascinating variety of methods and styles to explore and learn about. The uniqueness of this event lies in the personal nature of the experience, with owners opening up about their gardening successes and failures, sharing top tips and words of wisdom with an appreciative audience. What makes the event even more special is that all proceeds go to local charities, supporting the community and preserving the Cotswolds landscape.

 

A beautiful spot to sit back and relax

 

The mellow colour of the dry stone feature provides the perfect backdrop to the vibrant purple of alliums

 

Carefully manicured topiary adds structure to the garden

Moving away from the private gardens but still staying near Chipping Campden, a trip to Hidcote Manor Gardens is a true delight for all the senses. This Arts and Crafts-style garden will inspire visitors with its secret outdoor ‘rooms’ full of surprises, magnificent vistas, and extraordinary plants was created by the American horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston. Hidcote comprises of a series of smaller gardens within a garden, all full of intriguing design elements, such as rare shrubs and trees, borders bursting with colour, extraordinary water features, and wildflower meadows. As we move further away from the house, the garden seamlessly transitions from regimented and manicured to untamed and naturalistic. What is most remarkable about Hidcote is the triumph of stubbornness and expertise over practicality: against all odds (elevated and exposed location with poor soil), Hidcote became one of the finest gardens in England.

 

Hidcote Manor Gardens

Next, we visit the magnificently landscaped Upton Wold, tucked away in beautiful Cotswolds countryside. This wonderful, privately owned garden was created over thirty years with admirable dedication and meticulous attention to the finer details. Upton Wold has various intriguing features waiting to be discovered, from the Pond Garden to the Hidden Garden, and even an arboretum of walnut trees, which is part of the National Collections of Juglans. Three full-time gardeners work tirelessly to take care of the garden and to enrich Upton Wold’s collection of unusual plants.

 

Beautiful views over the Cotswolds countryside from Upton Wold

 

An elegantly designed border at Upton Wold

 

An impressive water feature at Upton Wold

Our next stop falls nothing short of astonishing: a medieval moated and fortified manor house set in magnificent parkland. The gardens of Broughton Castle boast all the features characteristic of a finely landscaped Cotswolds garden: formal borders with carefully selected colour themes, dry stone wall boundaries, archways with roses leading into hidden gardens, and finely manicured topiary. Beyond the beauty of the gardens and the manor house, there is much more waiting to be discovered at Broughton Castle. A private guided tour will uncover the fascinating stories about the house and its owners over the centuries. Today, Broughton Castle is the home of the Fiennes family, the same family lineage as the Hollywood actors.

 

The grandeur of Broughton Castle is amplified by the stunning reflection, even on a cloudy day
Photo © Margaret Clavell

 

Roses over archways add an undeniably romantic touch to the gardens at Broughton Castle
Photo © Margaret Clavell

We continue with no less than a tour of the private garden of HRH The Prince of Wales: Highgrove Royal Gardens, renowned as one of the most inspiring and innovative in the United Kingdom. HRH The Prince of Wales created Highgrove with his environmental philosophy in mind, to work with nature rather than against it, which made him one of the forerunners of organic gardening in the UK. Over the last 40 years, His Royal Highness has created an extraordinary and very personal garden with the help of some of the UK’s top garden designers, and with the garden featuring some very special plants gifted to His Royal Highness by Sir Elton John and the Dalai Lama. All proceeds go to the Prince’s Charitable Trust.

 

The Sundial Garden © Highgrove Royal Gardens

 

The Sundial Garden © Highgrove Royal Gardens

Our last stop on this virtual stroll is the garden of Daglingworth House, that wonderfully combines the elegant and the fanciful. This privately owned garden was created over the past 25 years. The owners, David and Etta Howard, have created a delightful, classical garden with a humorous contemporary twist. Unique sculptures and topiary shapes add a comical and light-hearted touch to the garden. Its two acres consists of a walled garden, temple, grotto, pools, wonderful views and much more.

 

Sculptures are central to the charming design of the garden at Daglingworth House
Photo © Margaret Clavell

“Gardening is proof that you have faith in tomorrow” – David and Etta Howard, Daglingworth House
Photo © Margaret Clavell

The otter sculptures add a playful twist to the ethereal beauty of the water feature at Daglingworth House
Photo © Margaret Clavell

Join us on our Cotswold Gardens Tour

If you enjoyed reading about some of our favourite gardens, we hope we can welcome you – in person – on our Cotswold Gardens Tour next summer! Join us to experience the charm of the Cotswolds and let us guide you to all these spectacular gardens and more. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, honey-coloured cottages, roses over the door, cream teas, picnics, pub lunches and a tipple of something local. We can’t wait to welcome you and create memories to last a lifetime.

Our webinars

Whilst waiting for summer to arrive, you may also wish to sign up to one of our webinars. Grab a cup of tea and join us to find out what it’s like to walk the ancient network of footpaths, and let our expert guides show you the Cotswolds as they see it, with the opportunity to ask us anything! Please visit our website to find out more and to sign up.

Andrew and Elizabeth GuppyHusband and wife team Andrew and Elizabeth Guppy lead Cotswold Walks, specialising in customised self-guided and guided walking holidays in the Cotswolds. Living and working in the Cotswolds is an essential part of what makes their company special. As avid walkers, they can often be found walking the routes with their dog Indie.

Andrew and Elizabeth are passionate about what they do. They strive to take you on a tour that showcases the best of the Cotswolds, from iconic gardens and fabulous local food, to sweeping vistas over the emerald green countryside dotted with honey-coloured cottages. Through careful planning and attention to detail, the mission of Cotswold Walks is to ensure you have complete peace of mind, so you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the Cotswolds and create lasting memories.

Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France, England and other European countries.

Let’s Pretend!

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Here in North America, we are still pining for European travel.  With COVID-19 numbers on the rise, it might be awhile.  I recently saw this facebook post from Rick Steves that made me giggle and I thought I’d share it.

There’s a lot to miss about traveling.  Sometimes it’s as simple as wanting a change of scenery. Perhaps you are traveling with or traveling to a friend.  Checking out a new destination or returning to a favorite spot.  Family reunion.  Wedding.  Maybe this was the year for that trip of a lifetime. All of the excitement, planning, packing and preparation for your trip leading up to that moment you head to the airport to begin your adventure.  All of these things have been put on hold while we try to overcome this virus.

But let’s be honest, even with the most positive of attitudes, there are still some things that may irk you.  Bumps in the road.  Things that make you roll your eyes, share a knowing look with your travel companion,  or shake your head.  Or bigger bumps that derail you like delayed flights or lost luggage.

As you reflect on past trips, do you find yourself remembering an amazing meal, a gorgeous sunset or that perfect selfie?  Do you also, though, find yourself remembering that tourist who walked right through your photo? The incessant pestering of cab drivers and souvenir merchants? Or remember when you didn’t know what you were ordering in that non-english speaking country and wound up trying something you never would have before?  Travel can bring forth all the triggers of fear and stress, but also of discovery and JOY.  I think this list captures both ends of the spectrum. My favorite one is number eight.  Try some of these at home yourself and let me know how it goes!  In boca al lupo! (Italian slang for Good luck!)

If you’re looking for some of my favorite travel memories, you might enjoy these past posts:

Wood Work

An Aching Heart

Discover Orvieto

Michelle Logue
Michelle Logue leads cultural and creative adventures in Orvieto, Italy. With a mandate to provide "travel that transforms", Adventures in Italy gives guests an immersive experience. After more than 15 years of return trips, Orvieto has become a welcoming home base surpassing the typical Italian vacation.

Adventures in Italy operates trips in May and September, with two options: Artistic Enrichment nurtures creative expression, while Discover Orvieto invites visitors to focus on the history and culture of Orvieto and live as locals. Find out more about tours and special offers by following Adventures in Italy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and visit www.adventuresinitaly.ca

Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.

Photographing Stairs & Stairwells in Europe

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In our last Slow Travel Tours blog, Magrit and I wrote about photographing doors and windows — one of our favorite photographic subjects. Right up there with doors and windows, we love photographing stairs and stairwells. 

bramante stairwell, Rome, Italy

The famous Bramante Stairwell in the Vatican | Rome, Italy

So what is it about photographing stairs and stairwells that is so intriguing? Again, like doors and windows, stairs, and stairwells can be amazing compositional elements and often feature great color combinations. Add to that the mystery of where they are leading the viewer. They offer beautiful compositions, regardless of whether the architecture is contemporary or rustic, historic, and time-worn. Plus, you can find stairs in just about any country you travel to. If there are people and buildings, there are stairs. We even found some stone stairs on a wilderness trail on our last, overnight backpacking trip in the Olympic National Park. 

Stairwell in the House of the Black Madona, Prague

Stairwell in the House of the Black Madona | Prague, Czech Republic

The history of stairs…

… dates back to the first human structures, which were most likely hewn logs or flat rocks stacked for easier access to the raised entrances of huts or caves. As civilization and building techniques advanced around the world, magnificent staircases took shape in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

staircase in casa goldoni, venice, italy

Casa Goldoni | Venice, Italy

We found the images we feature in this post during our travels in Europe where we also conduct our popular Photo Tours. Like many of you, I am missing terribly not to be able to travel and conduct our tours this year. Keeping our fingers crossed for 2021! So let’s do some armchair traveling and visit some of our favorite stairs and stairwells in Europe.

The beauty of the Spiral Staircase

Church of the Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist, stairwell, Kutna Hora, Czech Republic

Kutna Hora stairwell, straight on. Czech Republic Photo Tour.

You’ll find one of our favorite stairwells in the Cathedral of Assumption of Our Lady and St. John the Baptist in Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic. We visit this location during a day trip on our Czech Republic Photo Tour. The beautiful church and stairwell were designed by Jan Santini Aichel, a famous Czech architect. In combination with a very tasty lunch of local Czech specialties, this makes for a perfect last day of our 9-day photo tour.

One exciting thing about this staircase is that we can photograph it from a few different angles for great compositions. We can shoot this scene straight on, from below, and from above.

kutna hora stairwell, Czech Republic

Kutna Hora stairwell from below, laying on the floor. Czech Republic Photo Tour.

Church of the Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist, stairwell, Kutna Hora, Czech Republic

Kutna Hora stairwell from above. Czech Republic Photo Tour.

As you can see, not all of these photos are of spiral staircases but they are by far my favorite stairwells to photograph. They are such amazing architectural wonders and the compositional aspect is already there, leaving the technical and physical challenges for me to figure out. Stairwells can present challenges. I often find myself contorting my body to get the shot. Whether laying on the floor and looking straight up or leaning over and looking down from above, you need to be patient and practice good, handheld photographic techniques as usually you are not allowed to use a tripod in these locations. I always have my tripod with me and will use it when permitted, as most of these locations feature fairly low light.

livraria lello stairwell, porto, portugal

The amazing stairwell in the Livraria Lello bookstore | Porto, Portugal

If you are not allowed to use a tripod and need to handhold here are a few tips for photographing stairs and stairwells.

Turn on your camera’s or lens’s image stabilization system.

Not all lenses have this, but if available it will greatly benefit the sharpness of your photograph at slow shutter speeds.

Use a shutter speed of at least 1/30th of a second.

To achieve this you may to have raise the ISO and use a wider aperture. Keep in mind, as you raise the ISO, you also raise the possibility of digital noise. I have had good luck with ISO 800-1600. Also, as you open the aperture, the less depth of field you will have. With an ultra-wide lens, say 16 mm on a full-frame, you can most likely achieve good depth of field even at f 5.6.  I have had great results with 1/30th of a second, hand-held without image stabilization. Results will vary per individual. Some might find it difficult at this speed while others will even get good results with even slower speeds. It depends a lot on your steadiness and strength.

If you want to photograph a spiral staircase from below…

… as in the example from the stairwell in Kutna Hora, lie on the floor, rest the camera on the bridge of your nose, and place at least one elbow on the floor for extra stability. Calm your breathing and use the 10-second timer on your camera. This will allow you to calm your breathing and to hold steady while waiting for the shutter to trip.

Make yourself comfortable and don’t be afraid of getting a little dusty!

An alternative to using the self-timer…

… for these slower shutter speed situations, is to set your camera’s shutter to high speed continuous or burst mode. When you continue to put your finger on the shutter release, the camera will continue to fire off a series of exposures. Often, at least one of the images will be sharp.

Another alternative is to put your camera on the floor.

In the example below, I placed the camera on a magazine so that I could easily rotate the composition. I used a cable release or you can use the self-timer. I also tethered the camera to my smartphone via the Sony app so that I could view the image while rotating the camera. Many cameras offer this feature. If yours doesn’t have this, you will have to experiment. Take some shots and check the playback for composition, exposure, and proper depth of field/focus. That is the beauty of digital cameras. We can experiment and review our results until we get it right.

For those low-light situations, try putting your camera on the ground.

In closing, I wanted to share a couple more spiral staircases that we have found on our travels. In both situations, in Porto (Portugal), and Naples (Italy), we found these amazing staircases while walking around the city and poking our heads into open doorways. The lesson here is to be a bit bold and to venture through those open portals. The worse that could happen is that you will be told to leave, which I have experienced many times. On the flip-side, nothing ventured, nothing gained. When I am allowed to enter I often get very rewarding photographic treasures.

Stairwell, Naples, Italy

Looking straight up while laying on the floor | Naples, Italy

Spiral staircase, Porto, Portugal

An amazing spiral staircase | Porto, Portugal

J_M_150x150(1)Jim and Magrit have been photographing professionally and traveling in Europe for the past 20 years.

They started Photography Travel Tours in 2011 with the goal of educating and guiding photographers to some of the most beautiful and iconic scenes in Europe.

The tours are not just about getting great photographs but also have the side benefits of doing so in wonderful environments. Great food, wine, people, and ambiance.

Read more about Jim & Magrit and their wonderful photo tours here: (http://photographytraveltours.com/about/).

Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.