When planning your trip to the Cotswolds you may have added into your itinerary some of the gorgeous towns, markets and villages, and you may have planned in a shopping trip and a restaurant, but it is worth considering the stunning countryside that these villages are set in. Whether you are an irrepressible nature lover, or are just fond of a rural walk, the Cotswolds has so much to offer.
March with the Penguins at Birdland
In Bourton-on-the-Water you really can get the best of both worlds. There are numerous shops and tea-rooms where you can while away the hours, and if that doesn’t interest you then you could visit the fascinating and exotic birds at Birdland Park & Gardens. Established in the late 1950s it is one the oldest bird parks in the UK and is set in 9 acres of land (a former Poplar tree plantation for the famous Bryant and May matchstick maker). Birdland Park and Garden has everything from Pelicans and Penguins to Parrots and Pigeons among its avian friends and makes a fascinating visit for the wildlife lover. If birds are not your thing then you could always visit the Desert House; home to a variety of fish, amphibians and reptiles. What are you waiting for!
The Bucolic Beauty of Batsford
Set in 55 acres of stunning Cotswold countryside is the Batsford Arboretum; a botanical garden of some 3,000 trees and shrubs. Established in the 1800s and inspired by the gardens of Japan and China, it even provided encouragement for Nancy Mitford (who lived at Batsford) to write Love in a Cold Climate. Japanese maple trees, magnificent pines, and lovely cherry blossom trees can be found in the gardens, and it is an absolute must for nature lovers. Among the wildlife you can expect to see are Badgers, Bats (about 3 different varieties), Voles, Foxes, Moles, Muntjacs, Deer, Shrews and Stoats. Even the odd reptile makes an appearance; the gardens are a haven for Newts and Grass Snakes. Batsford is open most of the year and it really must be observed in all seasons – for it is as beautiful in the winter as it is in the summer. But to see it in the Autumn is to see it at its most resplendent – this is when the garden really comes into its own and offers the visitor a stunning canvas of gold and red hues. Not to be missed
The Cotswold Water Park
Created through gravel extraction and naturally filled the Cotswolds Water Park might sound like a fun park, but it is anything but! Ran by the Cotswold Water Park Trust the Cotswold Water Park is the largest marl lake system and is also a conservation and wildlife area, and it offers much for the nature lover. There are in total some 147 lakes in 40 square miles, and many of these can offer accommodation with guesthouses, hotels and B&Bs. It is really worth considering as there is just so much to see and do, particularly if you are taking the children; angling, horse riding and wilderness training are just a few of the activities on offer and the park is a haven for birdwatchers.
I Should Rococo
No trip to the Cotswolds is complete without a visit to the fantastic Painswick Rococo Gardens. Rococo was an artistic or aesthetic movement of the Georgian period – also known as late Baroque, which gives a better idea of its fanciful and decorative style (a style that the Painswick gardens have in abundance). Beautiful, grand and opulent, the garden is best suited to those who enjoy a more leisurely pace. Visitors can also observe and traverse the fantastic Anniversary Maze; designed by a local of Painswick and created to celebrate the gardens 250th anniversary. For those with a love of fresh produce there is also a wonderful kitchen garden (which supplies the garden’s restaurant) to be seen.
There is much more to the Cotswolds than meets the eye. It is very easy to fly past in the car and miss the signs to the various nature parks and reserves, so next time you visit take your time and look for the many wonderful gardens and nature reserves on offer, or use this guide and plan your very own nature getaway to the Cotswolds.
Adam works alongside Cotswold Journeys, who provide tailor made holidays in the Cotswolds. He regularly undertakes weekend walks in the area, particularly loving the villages of Lower Slaughter and Painswick!
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