Front door pots in the sun.

Pots gifted by British Flowerpots.

There’s always one Spotted in a local park.
#daffodils #cotswolds #parklife #plants #flowers

It wouldn't be spring without daffodils and I've been out to Painswick Rococo Garden to see their display. This Cotswold garden may be known for its quirky buildings and winter snowdrops but the daffs are shaping up to be every bit as good.

You can read about it on my blog: https://bit.ly/4iXYj28

I’m stupidly pleased with how this is shaping up.

It’s on the main route through the garden and can be seen from the house so I’ve planted it with lots of early things. Putting hellebores alongside steps also makes it easier to photograph them!

I’ve spotted a few gaps - more cyclamen needed - but it’s taking shape.
#plants #flowers #gardens #gardening #cotswolds

There was a real sense of spring in the air today and it was very welcome.

The crocus were basking in some sun, I spotted bees and even a butterfly, and the birds were singing out.

So lucky to have garden in which to escape the world and the current madness.
#bees #gardens #gardening #pollinators #signsofspring #cotswolds

Hard to believe this started with a handful of bulbs - this is just part of the area now covered.

Admittedly, it was many years ago now but I’m still delighted with how they’ve spread with many a long way from the original area. There seem to be new clumps every year.

Galanthus nivalis may not be anything special in the world of snowdrops but it’s a really reliable snowdrop if you want a naturalised show.
#snowdrops #cotswolds #gardens #gardening #plants #flowers #bloomscrolling #WinterJoy

#SilentSunday

It absolutely took off: 5 UK #biodiversity success stories https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/15/it-absolutely-took-off-five-uk-biodiversity-success-stories #UKpol #Conservation

"‘From new #butterfly habitats in the #Cotswolds to #ArcticWillow planting in the #ScottishHighlands, there are increasing numbers of places where humans are giving nature a helping hand to re-establish itself... While #beavers and #eagles may hog the headlines, there is so much more out there, from striking #butterflies to diminutive #plants, reimagined #rivers to revived mountain slopes"

Not quite sure how I managed to make Bourton-on-the-Water in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds look quite so peaceful! The day I visited back in late June, it was rammed.
Thought this moment wasn't going to happen, but for little more than a second or two, this space looked so idyllic – couldn't believe my luck!

Floral sunshine from the garden. The fennel had to be cut to stop all of it self-seeding - you can have far too much of a good thing. The calendula were in the way on the veg beds. Only the tithonia was grown for cutting.

What do you use in a vase? I give most things a go at least once.
#flowers #plants #garden #gardening #BloomScrolling #cotswolds

This is the Anglican Church of St Peter and St Paul in the Cotswold village of Blockley.
It features in the period TV detective series 'Father Brown', based on short stories by G. K. Chesterton and stars Mark Williams as a crime-solving Roman Catholic priest.
Safe to say, it was wheelie-bin day when I turned up, so much post-processing to obtain this final composition with aforementioned wheelie-bins removed!

The former Mill in Lower Slaughter used to be a small museum and gift shop, but according to the 'Gloucestershire Live' website, it actually closed for good in the summer of 2023 and is currently on the market (I understand with planning permission for residential use).
The mill actually ceased being a commercial enterprise in 1958.

A 10 mile, 6000 year bimble along the Cotswolds escarpment between Stroud and Dursley today. Three Neolithic long barrows, including the wondrous Hetty Pegler's Tump, a Bronze Age cairn and an Iron Age hillfort, with 4 hills (Tumps) thrown in for added exertion and heat.

Does anyone have recommendations for South England holidays? In the rough area Salisbury, Cotswolds, Bristol, very roughly. We would like to do daytrips to countryside or visit smaller towns from a base. Non-exhaustive visit to larger towns would als be nice. If it's stereotypically English, we're happy Must be senior friendly, ideally public transport accessible. Thanks
#England #holiday #recommendation #countryside #cotswolds #salisbury

Good morning bibliophiles. It's a bit of a grey day in Winchcombe, perfect for reading or book shopping.

New stock in includes this super sweet 2001 Limited Edition Dean's Rag Book Bear and the brilliant Booklover's Guide to Bookshops 2024 Calendar by Thomas Shepherd.

#winchcombe #cotswolds #bookshop #deansragbook #teddybear #indiebookshop @bookstodon #illustration #ukbookshops #oldbooks #antiquarianbooks #thecotswolds