Where We Travel

We Found a Hidden Garden Inside Richmond Park… and It Was Beautiful

chrisadmin — Sun, 10 May 2026 20:22:13 +0000

Some days turn out far better than you expect, without any real planning or pressure. Our visit to Richmond Park was one of those. What started as a simple drive became a slow, relaxed day surrounded by nature, with an unexpected highlight tucked away within it.

Driving through the gates into Richmond Park felt like the start of something special. I had no idea just how vast it is. What looks on the map like a park feels more like open countryside stretching on and on. Ray mentioned it was once a royal hunting ground, which made sense when you realise King Charles I created it in the 1600s, and suddenly it all feels a bit more grand.

It’s not somewhere you simply pass through. With a 20-mile-an-hour speed limit, you are gently forced to slow down, and that turns out to be part of the charm. Cyclists glided past us with ease, while walkers seemed to appear from every direction, all making the most of the space.

The deer were the real highlight. Herd after herd of Red and Fallow deer grazing or resting in the grass, completely at home. It is hard to believe you are still in London when you see them like that, roaming freely just as they have done here for hundreds of years.

There was such a lovely mix of people, too, from serious cyclists to families out for a gentle stroll. The whole place had a calm, unhurried feel, helped along by the ancient trees and wide open spaces that have been protected for generations.

After exploring the wide open spaces of Richmond Park, we made our way to a quieter corner we had heard about, not quite knowing what to expect.

Isabella Plantation

We had planned to head for the Peg’s Pond entrance, which we had heard was one of the best ways into the Isabella Plantation if you have mobility issues. In true us fashion, though, we missed the turning and carried straight on, happily driving along at 20-miles-an-hour for what felt like ages. It turned out to be about three miles before we realised we should probably have turned right quite a while back.

Rather than rushing to correct it, we pulled over at a kiosk and made the most of it, sitting in the sunshine with a coffee before turning around. It actually turned into one of those unexpected little pauses that you end up enjoying just as much as the plan itself.

Eventually, we turned around and headed back the right way, a little slower, a little more aware, and ready to see what we had come for.

Tucked away within Richmond Park is the Isabella Plantation, and stepping into it feels like entering a completely different world. After the wide open spaces of the park, this felt more enclosed, quieter, almost like a secret garden waiting to be discovered.

The Isabella Plantation was quite simply beyond words, so much more beautiful and immersive than we had imagined.

Created in the 1950s from what was once wild, boggy ground, it has been carefully shaped into a woodland garden that still feels natural rather than formal. Winding paths curl alongside streams, ponds and little clearings, with each turn revealing something new. At times it felt like we were moving from one little scene to another, a burst of colour, a clearing flooded with light, or a reflection trembling on the surface of the water.

As we wandered further in, the colours began to unfold around us. Not just the obvious bright bursts, but layers of them. Soft pinks blending into deeper purples, flashes of rich red, and pockets of white that seemed to glow against the green. Some corners felt gentle and hushed, while others were so vividly alive they made you catch your breath.

And then there was the scent.

It arrived before we noticed it, light and faintly sweet, threading through the air between the trees. It came and went as we walked, present for a moment, then gone, then drifting back again without warning. More than once, we stopped mid sentence, turned to each other and said, “Can you smell that?” There is something about a fragrance you cannot quite catch that makes it linger in the memory far longer than one that overwhelms.

What surprised me most, perhaps, was the stillness. Even with others around us, and there were others, the plantation never felt crowded or hurried. The soft murmur of conversation, the quiet movement of water threading through the streams, the occasional lift of birdsong overhead, it all blurred together into something that made you slow down without ever deciding to. Time moved differently in there.

Benches appeared at every turn, placed just where you needed them, inviting you to simply be for a while. Some visitors had brought picnics, their blankets spread across patches of sun warmed grass, and we both said the same thing at the same moment: we should have thought of that. Little groups sat chatting softly. Others were stretched out fully, soaking up the sunshine without a care in the world.

We found a spot of our own and stayed longer than we had planned. Watching the sunlight shift across the flowers. Listening to that easy hum of voices around us. People drifting in and out of the dappled shade like figures in a painting.

It was a simple afternoon, nothing grand, nothing remarkable on paper. But some moments settle into you quietly, when you realise you are exactly where you are supposed to be, doing absolutely nothing in particular, and that is more than enough.

We left feeling relaxed, a little slower, and already talking about coming back, perhaps next time with a picnic.

We were visiting the area in our motorhome and stayed at the Walton on Thames campsite.

Exploring Painshill Park and its Magical Crystal Grotto

chrisadmin — Sun, 10 May 2026 19:31:27 +0000

We spent the day exploring Painshill, better known as Painshill Park, near Cobham in Surrey, and it turned out to be one of those places that keeps surprising you the further you wander.

The walk around the lake alone is beautiful. Every turn seems to reveal something different. One minute, there are sweeping views across the water, with ducks and geese drifting quietly across the lake; then, suddenly, you arrive at one of the park’s follies, standing among the landscape as though it has always belonged there.

At one point, we stopped beside the water watching a Canada goose balanced perfectly on an old submerged branch while ripples spread gently across the lake around it. The sunshine caught the surface of the water, turning it silver and blue beneath the overhanging trees.

As we wandered further round, there were fluffy goslings following closely behind their watchful parents, tiny little balls of fluff tottering across the grass. Everyone passing seemed to stop and smile. It added such a lovely feeling to the day, nature carrying on quietly around us while people stood watching and taking photographs.

What makes Painshill so unusual is that it was never designed to look formal or heavily manicured. It was created in the 1700s by the Hon Charles Hamilton, who spent nearly forty years shaping the landscape into a living work of art. Inspired by the grand landscapes he had seen while travelling through Europe, he designed the park as a series of carefully planned views and surprises, with follies, temples, bridges and hidden features appearing as visitors moved through the landscape.

Even now, it still feels imaginative and theatrical, almost like stepping into an eighteenth-century painting.

We passed the Gothic Temple, crossed little bridges, admired the Turkish Tent with its striped roof peeping through the trees, and stopped more than once simply to take everything in.

But the real highlight for me, and the main reason I had particularly wanted to visit, was the Crystal Grotto.

Nothing quite prepares you for stepping inside.

From the outside, it feels mysterious enough, tucked quietly beside the lake, almost like a hidden secret. But as you walk through the entrance and your eyes adjust to the darkness, the whole atmosphere changes. The temperature drops slightly, and the bright sunshine outside gives way to shadows, reflections and glittering crystals.

The grotto was created in the 1700s as one of Hamilton’s most extravagant features and is believed to be the only surviving crystal grotto of its kind in Britain. Thousands upon thousands of crystals cover the walls and ceiling, transforming the cave into something that feels part natural wonder, part fantasy.

One of the most striking things inside the grotto was the way the outside world appeared through tiny rocky openings and narrow gaps between the crystals. Suddenly, there would be a shaft of sunlight reflecting on the water outside, flickering against the cave walls and pools below. In some places, the reflections danced across the surface below, while in others, the light filtered through so softly it almost looked painted. Some of the openings framed the lake almost like natural windows. The contrast between the dark textured rock and the bright shimmering water outside made every little glimpse feel dramatic and completely unexpected.

Photographing it was far harder than I expected because every angle looked different depending on where the light hit the crystals.

The gentle sound of dripping water echoed around the chambers, mixed with soft footsteps and quiet voices. The air smelt cool and earthy, damp stone mixed with fresh water, the sort of smell you only really notice underground or inside caves.

The glittering crystals, the darkness, the reflections on the water and the echo of dripping water all combined to create something that felt almost theatrical. Every turn revealed another opening, another shimmer of light, another reflection dancing across the surface below.

Painshill itself is beautiful, but the Crystal Grotto is the part that stays in your mind long afterwards. One of those rare places where photographs are lovely reminders, but they still cannot fully capture the atmosphere, the cool air, the echoing water and the feeling of stepping somewhere completely unexpected.

We visited Painshill Park during our stay near Walton on Thames, and the Crystal Grotto alone made the trip worthwhile.

A Cotswold Day Out from Heythrop Park

chrisadmin — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:40:33 +0000

From Heythrop Park to Bourton and Broadway

Staying at Heythrop Park a couple of weeks ago gave us the perfect excuse to explore a little further into the Cotswolds. With Ray, Cheryl, Steve and Faye all together for the weekend, we decided to make the most of it and visit two of the area’s most loved villages. One under grey skies with a soft drizzle in the air, the other glowing in unexpected Sunday sunshine.

Bourton on the Water in the Drizzle

There is something about Bourton-on-the-Water that makes you forgive it for being busy.

Parking was our first challenge. It is such a popular place, and even on a drizzly day, the narrow streets and car parks were filling quickly. But Steve managed to squeeze the car into a tight space down a side road just off the High Street. A small triumph that immediately lifted the mood.

The River Windrush runs gently through the centre of the village, crossed by its low, elegant stone bridges. Often called the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton has a charm that does not rely on sunshine. The drizzle softened the honey coloured stone and gave everything a slightly muted glow. It still looked lovely.

We wandered in and out of most of the little shops along the High Street. Gift shops, sweet shops, and small independent stores are all tucked into those old stone buildings. It is the sort of place where you tell yourself you are just looking, then find something you didn’t know you wanted.

We couldn’t believe our luck when we found a window table at one of the cafés. On a busy day that felt like winning something. With coffee and cake in front of us, we watched the steady flow of tourists crossing the bridges, taking photographs, juggling umbrellas and dogs. People watching in Bourton is almost part of the experience.

Faye spotted a handbag she liked at a craft fair being held in the church hall and treated herself. It felt very local, with tables set out and stallholders chatting easily. Those little indoor fairs are always worth popping into.

Despite the weather, it was one of those easy family afternoons. No tight schedule. Just wandering, chatting and enjoying being together somewhere pretty.

A Sunny Sunday in Broadway

On Sunday, after the others had left, Ray and I headed out on our own to Broadway. Typically, the sun chose that day to appear.

Broadway is often described as the jewel of the Cotswolds, and in the sunshine, it is easy to see why. The wide High Street, the grassy verges, and the long stretch of honey-coloured buildings all seemed to glow. It feels more open than Bourton, more spacious and quietly elegant.

We passed an Aston Martin parked outside James Martin Restaurant and could not help wondering whether James himself might be inside. It added a little touch of excitement to our wander.

Broadway has long attracted artists and well-known visitors, and there is a subtle sense of affluence to it. You notice it in the galleries, the boutiques and in the steady parade of expensive cars easing carefully along the High Street.

As we wandered further along the High Street, something far less glamorous caught our attention. Tucked into the sheltered porch of one of the shopfronts, under the wooden overhang, were two baby pigeons nestled into what could only loosely be described as a nest. Twigs, debris and feathers balanced precariously above the pavement below.

It felt strangely intimate to stumble across them in such a busy, polished village. Just inches away from passing shoppers and glossy car bonnets, these tiny, slightly scruffy little creatures blinked back at the world, completely undisturbed.

Inside another shop, a small dog lay curled in a soft bed near the counter, toys scattered around him. He watched customers drift in and out with steady, soulful eyes, entirely at ease in his corner of the world.

Broadway may be known for its galleries, boutiques and celebrity sightings, but nature had quietly claimed its own small corner too.

We found a bench on the green and simply sat for a while, watching the world go by. Walkers with muddy boots, couples strolling hand in hand, polished cars gliding through the village. The sunshine made everything look sharper and brighter than the day before.

Looking back, it was the contrast that made it special. Saturday was wrapped in grey skies and family chatter. Sunday bright and golden, just the two of us sitting on a bench watching the world drift past.

Bourton gave us charm in the drizzle. Broadway gave us elegance in the sun. Both felt completely Cotswolds, just in their own way.

Read the Warner’s Heythrop Park review

Heythrop Park Warner Hotel in the Cotswolds

chrisadmin — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:01:04 +0000

Laughter, Music and Quality Time at Heythrop Park in the Cotswolds

We turned off the main road and into the long, tree-lined driveway of Warner Hotels – Heythrop Park, and almost immediately, the outside world felt further away. The estate stretches for a mile and a half before you even reach the house. Long enough to slow your thoughts. Long enough to notice squirrels darting across the road, a pheasant wandering confidently through the trees, and deer half hidden in the shadows watching us pass.

As the house gradually revealed itself, its honey coloured stone seemed to glow even beneath a soft grey sky. Tall windows. Perfect symmetry. A building that quietly commands attention.

We followed the signs to the South Wing, having chosen it after learning that rooms in the main house had no lift access. Even though ours was in the newer part, the sense of grandeur was still very much there.

This weekend was about family time. Ray and I were here with our daughters, Faye and Cheryl, and our son-in-law, Steve. It was a rare chance for the five of us to be together without rushing off in different directions.

After parking, we still had a fair walk up to reception. Cases rolling behind us, coats zipped against the air, that familiar mix of anticipation and travel tiredness. Inside, we received a genuinely warm welcome from the staff.

Heythrop is big. Properly big. Long corridors and wide staircases that take a little while to navigate. Once we found our bearings, it felt expansive rather than overwhelming.

One thing worth noting is that there are no printed maps of the hotel or paper schedules for entertainment and activities. Everything is accessed digitally via QR codes, which transfer the information directly to your phone or device. It works well once you are set up, but if you prefer having a physical map in hand, it does take a little adjustment.

Our room in the South Wing was standard. We knew we would not spend much time in it, so it suited us perfectly. Comfortable and fresh, with crisp white linen and that reassuring clean scent when you first step inside.

The shower was excellent, with good pressure and plenty of hot water. A small fridge in the room was a nice touch too, handy for keeping water chilled.

We were all close together in the South Wing. Cheryl and Steve had a room next door to us, and Faye was directly opposite. It felt easy and relaxed, knowing we were just a few steps apart.

Faye quickly claimed the window seat in her room as her reading corner. With the afternoon sun streaming in, it was easy to see why.

One early lesson came quickly. There were three restaurants to choose from, each with various seating times, and we had not pre-booked. Having never stayed at a Reserve property before, we thought we would decide on arrival.

In hindsight, we could have looked more closely at the menus and locations on the Warners’ website beforehand. We were not entirely sure where each restaurant was located and did not particularly want to head outside between buildings in the evening. As it turned out, they were all inside, which would have been helpful to know.

Instead, we headed straight to the Market Kitchen to secure our preferred restaurant and book our breakfast and evening meal times for the two days. Slightly flustered perhaps, but thankfully, we managed to arrange everything in one go. The 6 pm sitting suited us perfectly, giving us time to enjoy our meal without rushing and still comfortably make it to the first of the two evening shows.

Just outside the Market Kitchen was the orangery. Bright and airy, with huge windows looking out across the grounds. Comfortable armchairs and sofas arranged in little conversational clusters. It immediately drew me in. Cheryl was the first to spot movement across the field and quietly pointed out a Muntjac deer running along the edge of the grass before disappearing into the trees. I remember thinking we might spend quite a bit of time here.

There was a piano tucked into one corner, and during our stay, someone played and sang there several times. The music drifted gently across the space, never overpowering conversation, just adding to the feeling that this was somewhere you were meant to pause.

Back in our room, we had a short pause before dinner. Coats off. Shoes kicked aside. That first sit down on the edge of the bed. Ray poured drinks, and there was that gentle knock on the door. In came Cheryl & Steve, followed by Faye, who had come to check plans and compare rooms. Steve quickly set the tone for the weekend with his joking around, keeping us all laughing within minutes.

It was nothing grand. Just a pre-dinner drink. A bit of laughter. The usual family chatter. But it felt like the real beginning of the weekend.

Then it was time to head down to dinner.

Corridors again. A few turns. The low hum of conversation grew louder as we approached the restaurant area. There is always that little lift in the atmosphere before dinner at places like this. People dressed up slightly. Anticipation in the air. The sense that the evening is about to start properly.

The food in the Market Kitchen was tasty and satisfying without being fussy. Some of us chose from the menu while others opted for the carvery, which offered generous portions and plenty of choice. It felt relaxed rather than formal, which suited us well.

Dinner at Heythrop felt slightly different to what we were used to at Warner Hotels – Corton Coastal resort. At Corton, dining and entertainment happen in one space, which we have always quite liked for its flow. It feels sociable and easy with no need to relocate. Here, after dinner, we made our way to the theatre for the first of the evening’s entertainment.

The Entertainment

There were several spaces to relax, with two main entertainment venues: The theatre and The Late Lounge.

The theatre itself was nicely decorated, but arranged in traditional rows of fixed seating. Ray found himself at one end of our row and Steve at the other, which meant we could not easily chat before the show or during the interval. It felt slightly less sociable than the layout we are used to at Corton.

Friday night’s entertainment was not really our sort of thing. Others clearly enjoyed it, but it did not quite draw us in.

Saturday night, however, was a completely different story.

We watched The Michael Jackson Symphony, celebrating the music of Michael Jackson. The performance moved through songs from across his career, supported by strong musical arrangements and impressive vocals. The lighting and background visuals added real atmosphere. This time, we were fully engaged, tapping feet and quietly singing along.

Later in the Late Lounge, we found a small nook and rearranged the chairs into a semicircle so we could sit together properly. There was a fun music quiz, but what truly made it was the compere and comedian hosting it. His name was Ryan. He was absolutely excellent. Quick-witted, spontaneous, and completely at ease with the audience. His off-the-cuff responses and gentle teasing kept the whole room laughing. It is a real skill to read a crowd like that.

As the late lounge closed, we moved on to the bar area for the silent disco.

None of us had experienced one before, and it was entertaining from the start. Although it is called a silent disco, it was not completely silent. You could still hear bursts of singing and the occasional enthusiastic shout from across the room.

Everyone wore glowing headphones and had the choice of two music channels. People switched between them throughout the evening, and you could tell who was listening to which one as the headphone lights changed between blue and green. It was quite funny watching small groups dancing to entirely different songs at the same time.

A few were clearly enjoying it from their seats, moving along with the music. It created a lively atmosphere and caused plenty of laughs.

Over the weekend, we ventured out to explore the surrounding Cotswolds area, visiting Bourton-on-the-Water and stopping at Burford Garden Company. On Sunday, we also spent time walking around Broadway and driving through the beautiful villages. I will be sharing much more about those visits in my next blog here.

Sunday and The Manor House

Sunday morning at Heythrop was slower. Breakfast was relaxed. When we stepped outside for a walk around the grounds, the sun was out, and it was noticeably warmer. The honey coloured stone glowed in the light. We wandered with our phones, stopping to photograph snowdrops scattered across the grass.

We finished our walk by re-entering through the old Manor House.

Heythrop was originally built in the early 18th century as a grand country house, and the architecture still carries that ambition.

Stepping inside after the sunshine made the scale feel even more dramatic. The entrance hall rises into a vast atrium framed by classical arches and columns.

Above us, the stained-glass ceiling spread across the atrium in a grid of soft colours and patterns. Warm tones filtered the daylight, casting a gentle glow over the stone and giving the whole space a richness that shifted as you moved beneath it.

Deep red walls set behind pale arches added contrast. Carved details revealed themselves the longer you looked. The grand fireplace was particularly striking. Massive and beautifully sculpted, it felt preserved rather than decorative.

We paused on the staircase, admiring the symmetry and the small seating areas tucked along the landings, spaces designed not just for passing through, but for lingering.

The pool and spa facilities are located at the far end of the hotel, beyond the old Manor House. Depending on where your room is situated, it can be quite a walk, particularly if you are heading there in a robe. It is all indoors, but the distance is worth bearing in mind.

A note on accessibility

I should add that although the hotel is large, please do not let that put you off if you have mobility issues. I have my own mobility limitations, and with a little planning, it was absolutely manageable.

If you avoid staying in the old Manor House, where there are no lifts to some of the rooms, the South Wing offers lift access. You can still explore the Manor House itself without difficulty. There are slopes and lifts throughout the main areas, including access towards the spa facilities.

When booking, it is worth requesting a room closer to the restaurants and entertainment areas if walking distances are a concern. The staff are helpful and will usually accommodate this where possible.

Before leaving, we made time for one last coffee in the orangery. Sunlight streamed through the vast windows, and the armchairs were as

inviting as ever. Then came the goodbyes.

Bags gathered. Hugs held a moment longer. It felt sad that the weekend was over, even though it had only been a couple of days.

Ray and I were not heading straight home. We were continuing to visit our dear friend Anne in Evesham, with an overnight stop in Tewkesbury.

As we drove back down the long driveway, sunlight flickering through the trees and the house slowly disappearing from view, I found myself thinking about how quickly these weekends pass.

It was not about perfection or packed schedules.

It was simply about quality family time spent together.

And that felt enough.

It turned into such a special weekend. I’d love to know if anyone else has stayed at Heythrop.