The first Sunday of February we were blessed with beautiful sunshine all day in the Cotswolds, so it seemed a perfect to day to visit Hidcote Manor and Gardens near Chipping Campden in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds. It is one of the few National Trust properties in ththat opens on selected days in the winter months.
Hidcote is an Arts and Crafts-inspired garden created by Major Lawrence Johnston and covers an area of 10.5 acres. Major Johnston designed the garden in phases between 1907 and 1938 and was a member of the Garden Society and the Royal Horticultural Society. Hidcote was gifted to the National Trust in 1948.
Gazebo Views
I wanted a range of photos from the day so I took both my iPhone 15 Pro Max and my trusty Canon 70D for taking photographs. As I plan to visit Hidcote through each season, I thought a few hours wandering through the gardens taking a variety of photos would give me a a good sense of the layout and spots to revisit over the coming months.
I find that the iPhone is perfect for snapping photos of architecture and landscapes as it has great main and wide angle lenses. At 36 MP , the sensor is much better than the 70D for capturing a full dynamic range as well and iPhone shots are perfect for producing a nice gallery of images from a day out. You might think that Winter is a difficult season for photography, but there is always colour and detail to be found if you look close enough.
There is plenty to see and do at Hidcote. You can spend time wandering through the different parts of the Old Garden and Red Borders, admiring the plants and views through the borders. There is a pretty pathway along the stream up to the Rock Bank that ends with a view out to the Malvern Hills. You can explore the wilderness on the edge of the formal gardens and more views at the end of the Long Walk. There are plenty of places to stop and sit and take in the atmosphere and views.
There is a second hand book shop in the lovely Hidcote Chapel and a Plant Centre and Shop as well as a cafe for refreshments once you've finished enjoying the gardens! Hidcote is definitely a place you can visit multiple times and I look forward to my next visit in the Spring.
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