Holiday 2011

Holidays in September mean ... Wandering around acres and acres of charming gardens (preferably with tumbling-down outhouses, walled gardens and greenhouses). Stourton House (Flower Garden) was the clear winner for me this year. I am now a confirmed hydrangea fanatic (the garden houses over 270 varieties).



Finding the beaches and nostalgic steam trains deserted (because the kiddiwinks have gone back to school).

And, of course, frequenting the best farmers’ markets and/or farm shops in the region. Gold Hill Organic Farm hit the spot in every way (and has a fantastic scheme whereby you can help with the weeding one evening a week in exchange for a bag of organic veggies) as did the unpasteurised dairy at the farmers’ market from Wootton’s Organic Dairy.