Batsford Arboretum

It's a quick post today after a refreshing visit to Batsford Arboretum in the Cotswolds with my son. Over ten years have passed since I last strolled through Batsford with a group of design students, and enjoyed such an impressive collection of plants and trees. To be honest, back then I hadn't fully appreciated how special the plant collection was, what with all the chat and rapidly grabbed pictures - long since lost! This time the visit achieved more, yet the photo's were again rapidly taken as for much of the time I was trying to keep up with a toddler with one thing on the mind
- exploration! (He can't half move, I can tell you!) I've a handful of rapidly taken photo's therefore, taken with one eye on the subject, and one on the boy. Enjoy the photo's and the quick message that follows:



Sorbus hupehensis 'Rosea'



I've found a leaf Daddy! (Yes son, that you have...)



Fraxinus with colourful moss growing on a rain soaked trunk at Batsford Arboretum. 



Are you coming Daddy?

Japanese style 'Rest-house', Batsford Arboretum 2011

Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion' Batsford Arboretum.

Parrotia persica - Persian Ironwood tree - Batsford Arboretum.

A Buddha at Batsford!

Batsford is a fantastic treat for many people. For me the grounds, spread across a beautiful Gloucestershire hillside is a place typical of many gardens; one that can be explored, one that draws you through. Yes the autumn colour is stunning at the moment, but it's more than that. At any time of year the place would be enjoyable, with informal paths layed out between matured and recent planting. Rills and ponds add a further layers of interest, reflecting the autumnal colours of the overhead foliage. So many of the key plants are labelled too - brilliant for gardeners! I have to add that Louis, like all children, loves the water, although he always wants to deposit a leaf or six onto the surface - sorry to the Batsford gardeners!

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, it can't be forgotten that from many points in the arboretum the Cotswold hills appear beyond the main house - each view is exquisite! Putting the grounds aside, and to facilitate such a well known attraction, there's an all new visitor reception building. The new centre had to remain unexplored on this occasion, as I had Louis' lunch time nap to consider,  but the building appears to be complete and offers all that can be expected of such an attraction. Next time maybe...

Thanks Batsford for a great visit, well worth the effort.

If you're in the Cotswolds, do pop in and have a look! You can find all the visitor info, click HERE!