A Halloween walk around Snowshill Village

Sometimes things just don’t go to plan do they? My original idea for today was to take a little lunchtime jolly up to Snowshill Manor, a National Trust property in the Cotswolds. They have really lovely fairytale gardens and I wanted to take a last wander round before all of the flowers were gone. But when I got there I was greeted by a sign saying “Closed today”. Cue sad harp strong music. Oddly enough though a little bit of me was relieved because actually, as I’d driven towards the Manor the idea had popped into my head to have a wander round the pretty little village of Snowshill afterwards to take a few piccies but I wasn’t going to have enough time. So there we go, lemons out of lemonade. I got to wander round the village which turned out to be even more fun… you’ll see why.

Even at this time of year and on a dreary day there was still quite a few clusters of tourists ambling about, taking in the picturesque little place, snapping away much like myself. There is no denying that it is an idyllic little spot and I’m quite sure that it must have been used as a film or TV set at some point. The hazy weather and smoke in the air from a nearby bonfire gave the place a wonderfully atmospheric feel. For sure it would be a super spot for trick or treaters later on.

I had a little wander round, marvelling at the quintessential features like the red telephone box, village hall and church. Heck, there was even a couple of vintage cars pulled up outside the pub.

Now when I had originally driven down to the free car park on the outskirts of the village I had spotted some huge fake cobwebs spayed onto bushes in the front gardens of the houses. Nothing to be alarmed about, it was Halloween after all. But what I hadn’t somehow seen was a awesome Halloween spectacle just waiting to scare any unsuspecting souls as the walked by. I wondered just how many people had come just to see this sight. I imagine it had ended up on quite a few Instagram feeds! 

As I was standing there admiring the scene I was joined by a couple of fellows and their cameras who too thought it was an impressive effort. They were such lovely chaps, talking to me easily about cameras and other places nearby to visit. (Broadway Tower is now on the list with high recommendations for their cafe - marvellous.) I love moments like that, it’s one of the plus points of the fact that there are zillions of photographer enthusiasts these days. It’s a bit like the social side of having a dog and meeting other dog owners. You spot someone sporting a camera strap around their neck and it’s an ice breaker. A common interest I guess, something to chat about. 

I was only there for about forty minutes but I thoroughly enjoyed my little stroll around Snowshill village. I’ll be heading back for sure, most likely in the Spring to visit the Manor, the nearby Lavender Farm (an absolute must see) and the village once more.

Sunday Morning Strolls at Croome Court

Sunday mornings are my favourite time of the week. There’s just something about the peacefulness of them that I love. I love those moments of quiet before the world has woken up and on this particular Sunday, because of the clocks changing I had an extra hour to play with. I was in the mood for heading out somewhere with my camera and I’d narrowed it down to either Croome Court or Snowshill Manor. After checking the opening times for both it seemed that Snowshill wasn’t open until 11am and I wanted to get on out to play so Croome it was.

I took the A38 route up and it was a pretty wonderful drive through the Worcestershire countryside. It’s just so rare for me to drive up the country, even a little bit. In fact, this was the third time in an entire year that I’d be out of the South West region, well, if you don’t include my daily commute to Ross-on-Wye that it. I’m not even going to apologise for it really. I like to stay close to home. Me and travelling just don’t get on and besides there so much to see right where I am. 

I was kinda hoping that as I was arriving just before 10am that it would be relatively quiet but the car park was chocca. Seems like plenty of other people had hit upon the same idea. But once I was through the entrance and into the park there were only a sprinkling of people here and there. I made my way down the hill to the main house and I have to say, standing at the top of that valley by the church looking down across that vista is pretty darn amazing. The sight across that landscape with the Malvern Hills to the right and Croome Court down to the left is stunning indeed.

I’d actually brought along my own Nikon D40 as well at my Canon to play with a zoom lens alongside my trusty 50mm and I was loving it. I’d forgotten how nice it is to shoot landscape with a wide angle lens and this place definitely warranted it. I wandered around snapping away enjoying the freedom of being there on my own and only feeling a smidge guilty about leaving Luna pup behind. 

I made my way down to the house but didn’t fancy going in today, I was happy just to enjoy it from the outside. I wanted a good amount of time to explore the house itself so just bookmarked that for another time. Instead I made my way over to the stream and across the river up to the lakes. As I reached the lake area it suddenly got a lot busier and to my utter delight, the sunshine broke through and beamed it’s lovely golden light down on us. And that light, oh that light, it was splendid. Magic, crystal clear, saturated goodness. The way it played through the trees was an utter delight.

I stayed a little while taking in the atmosphere and enjoying watching the families play but the crowding was starting to bother me so I decided it was time to head on back up. I made me way back on up the hill and to the church, taking a good few long moments to linger once again on that view before ambling back to the car.

A Walk by Ellenborough Park Hotel

Walking the fields around Cheltenham Racecourse is one of my all time favourite things to do. Stomping about those ground is like my therapy. It’s one of a handful of places I go to when I’m feeling out of sorts or I’m seeking an answer to something or simply when I need to put my thoughts back into order. On this day, after what felt like months of bizarrely mild and miserable Autumn weather, Mother Nature had blessed us with the most beautiful day. The kind of day that makes your heart sing, where the weather is glorious and the world fields at peace.

Although the to-do list was beckoning I gifted myself a long lunch break and with camera in hand trundled on up to my usual spot. I had however forgotten that the Cheltenham Races were on that day. Hmm… I had visions of gridlock nightmares and no parking to be found but actually the opposite was the case. Because everyone was already in the Racecourse instead what I found was more akin to a deserted town in an old western move. It’s a strange phenomenon that I’ve noticed during race times. In the build up to everyone arriving at the racecourse the atmosphere and hubbub of activity is almost electric and then once everyone’s inside the town is left in an eerie silence. 

I decided for a bit of a change to take the path up towards the Ellenborough Park Hotel, although I shall forever probably call it by its previous name the Hotel de la Bere. Incredibly seeing as I’d been walking these field nye on fifteen years I’d only actually been up this way once before. And on this day for the first time me and my camera ventured all of the way up to the hotel itself. 

Now I’ve never actually been to the hotel but it’s infamous in Cheltenham for being a beautiful spot to hold a wedding and I have to say, finally being faced with it up close I certainly can’t argue with the status it’s been given. It was a spectacle to behold indeed. The collection of classically Cotswold style buildings stand like its own little hamlet depicting the epitome of quintessential Englishness. The scene in front of me conjured up images of English fairytales and romantic happenings. I suddenly found myself wanting to know all of its secrets.

As I meandered back down from the hotel towards the racecourse pondering over what tales those buildings must hold within the mortar of their walls, I could hear the commentator over the tannoy in the distance belting out the happenings of the current race and a roar from the crowd as the winner crossed the finish line. It seemed so strange to me that just yards away were ten of thousands of people all excited and pensive anticipating their fortune left unbeknownst in the hands, well hooves of a horse and yet here I was wandering the most beautiful land and soaking up the most glorious Autumn afternoon. 

We don’t have enough Autumn days like this in England. When I scroll through umpteen numbers of photos on Instagram of stunningly sunny fall days in other parts of the world I always feel a slight tinge of sadness that Autumn for us usually brings dampness and gloom. So days like this day, well, they’re a rare kind of magic that I feel I have to immerse myself in completely, savouring every last glint of that magnificent golden light because another one may evade our grasp for a very long time indeed. 

Apple Day at Barrington Court

Whenever I’m visiting family in Somerset I try to get out and explore some of the stunning countryside there and during this trip I’d decided to make the forty-five minute drive across to Barrington Court. That is the beauty of having National Trust membership, wherever you roam you can always find a pretty property to go and explore.

It was a bright and sunny Sunday morning (my favourite kind) and after a few days of darkness and rain it was a welcome shift in the weather. I drove through the Somerset countryside taking in the lovely landscape scenes around me and arrived at Barrington Court just shy of 10am. I was hoping to be one of the first there but as a I neared the entrance there were suddenly loads of cars and stewards guiding people where to park. Er…. What was going on? 

As I parked up and wandered down the drive I soon discovered that I had chosen Barrington’s famous “Apple Day” to visit. Ah… oops, this was not going to be the quiet morning I had planned then. This is why you should not only always check opening times but the events going on too! No matter, I rolled with it.

So what is Apple Day you ask? Well, it seems that as many people as possible are invited to Barrington to help collect the trees from their orchards which are then taken to the barns and pressed into juice and cider. There was music, people in traditional dress, talks, demonstrations, a whole hubbub of activity going on. 

I decided to head away from the crowds to start with and enjoy some of the other parts of the property before getting involved with the day’s festivities. I took myself towards the kitchen garden first. Now as far as kitchen gardens go the one at Barrington is epic! It’s the largest I’ve seen (so far) and it really is a wonder to behold. The amount of produce they grow there is amazing. I actually visited back in August and the bounty was awesome. And the best part? Much of what’s grown goes to the cafe and restaurant to make uber fresh, yummy food to eat. Marvellous. 

Now one thing that you are going to hear me go on about repeatedly on this blog is light. If I happen to be out exploring a pretty place on a day when there is, what I like to call “magic” light then oh, I am a happy bunny indeed. And on this morning, the light was beautiful. As I wandered through some of the grounds it was twinkling through the changing leaves on the trees and creating the most lovely sight. I could have sat there and oo-ed and ah-ed at it all day. 

It was starting to get a little busier now and as I made my way around to the lawns at the front of Barrington House there were plenty of people milling around, walking and playing and the such. The lawns are a great spot, they are big and flat and perfect for picnics and games. In fact, in the warmer weather they bring out oversized games to play. It really is begging for a crochet set! 

I didn’t actually venture into the house this day as I was a bit limited on time but I have to say that it is probably my favourite National Trust house to date for one simple reason. It’s empty. Strange I know, but these old houses are usually full of old musty smelling furniture and tapestries that simply don’t appeal to me (apologies if I cause any offence). It is so nice to walk around a place and just soak up the structure, the bones of it and only have to know the story of the house itself and not the umpteen memories of the inhabitants that have lived there and all of their trinkets. I find it quite refreshing. 

Alongside the house is the equally impressive building that now holds the restaurant. Alas, no time to stop in there either but I did take a moment to enjoy its magnificence, made extra special by a rainbow appearing in the sky behind it. Then it was on to the gardens. Oh the gardens. Back in the summer they were the most spectacular sight and even now in October there was still plenty in bloom to enjoy. The white garden is my favourite, it has an extra special, slightly enchanting feel to it but on this day it was closed off so I could only peek inside from the barrier.

I walked along towards the stables and stopped for a moment under a big Ash tree. When I came here before there were two ladies sat on the bench in this spot sketching and painting and standing there now I could clearly see why. This was a heavenly little corner. You were enclosed amongst the tall stems of the flowers and had a wall behind you but could still see lots of the gardens in front of you and it felt like it was almost a bit of a hidden, secret spot. There was a radio nearby playing what sounded like a National Trust radio station which added to the back-in-time feel. I took a moment and just enjoyed being there.

I then made my way out of the gardens, over the little stream and back towards the buildings near the entrance. Down this way there is a row of little shops with local crafts and merchants in them. From gifts and fabrics to pottery and wicker ware. Great if you’re looking for something a little bit different and a little bit special. I wandered down peeking in each one and at the end rounded the corner to where all the main Apple Day activity was happening.

In the farm yard there were loads of people enjoying demonstrations of the cider presses, seeing displays of the different varieties of apples, tasting the ciders and juices along with homemade baked goodies. This scene really was the epitome of a harvest and it was great to see the community from far and wide contributing to picking the apples and then enjoying the efforts of their labour with a hot tipple and a pie.

And so that was that, my time ran out and back to the car I headed. There really is a lot to see and enjoy at Barrington Court. If you’re not a National Trust member then the entrance fee is quite expensive but in my opinion, certainly worth it. I whizzed around in about an hour or so but I would definitely take at least an afternoon or even a whole day to see it all properly. If you’re ever in Somerset, pop it on your list, you won't be dissppointed.