Cotswolds Diary, Day 4(th of July!)

As I settle in – and am not yet quite – I did want not to miss a return to Hidcote, and my friend Jonathan (MFJ) wanted to go, too. As a side note, happy to report that in driving there (he offered but I wanted to practice) I only hit the curb once, though MFJ did gasp more than once at close calls. So I’m improving. But back to Hidcote:

The house itself is an impressive old priory that became a farmhouse and then a gentile country house that today is neither grand nor fancy inside. But it is a perfectly picturesque backdrop to the the 10+ acre garden. 

Hidcote is one of my favorites in part because although it is sprawling and amazing, you can get your head around it. You could almost see yourself pulling it off if you had the vision and the land and 30 years to do it in, which I suppose is to say that it feels almost “real” and somewhat accessible. I feel this way too about another favorite, Sissinghurst, and actually most of the great Arts & Crafts gardens, come to think of it, which I suppose is part of their tremendous appeal. Unlike, say, Versailles, which is also appealing but in a different way.

And it wasn’t a duke or an earl (though nothing wrong with either), but an American and a soldier who  became a naturalized British citizen who created it, Major Lawrence Johnson.

Major Johnson  bought the 300-some acre estate on behalf of his mother (also American) and over the ensuing decades he created this glorious series of hedged garden rooms, wild blowsy borders, meandering paths, a pool, topiaries, pavilions, wonderful old trees, and sweeping vistas.

The garden also exceptionally comprises a collection of plants from all over the world that Johnson himself hunted and gathered and took pleasure in sharing with friends.

 In 1948, Major Johnson donated the  property to the National Trust and lived another 10 years to see his garden and legacy thrive. 

One more thing: My fave element is the giant bird topiaries at the entrance to the pool. I was shocked to learn of their drastic haircuts, however. The bases had become so large that people (some having got large themselves but also the not so large) could not pass between them. The gardeners report that the topiaries are doing well. Two years later, new growth is abundant.

Here’s what they used to look like:

Thus inspired, I (rather pitifully) attempted a lesser version at the erstwhile Bee Cottage. People said the one the left looked like a squirrel, which annoyed me. Though to be fair they had a point.

Meanwhile, Happy 4th of July to the USA from the good ol’ UK. No hard feelings, what…But I did get to thinking a hot dog might be good. Alas my search for 4th of July celebrations came to naught. Guess I will settle for a sausage roll… Hope you enjoyed  Hidcote.

And goodbye to Hidcote…