Hi there everyone 😀
Determined to make the absolute most of our weekend away in Stamford, instead of heading straight for home on the Sunday, we’d arranged to meet up with Sue and Ken, my cousin and her husband.
We’d not seen them socially for a long old time and, as they live in Peterborough, the Burghley House Orangery for breakfast, followed by a mooch round some gardens we hadn’t seen before, made for the perfect place to meet up …
It was another scorcher of a day, with plenty of sunshine and The Orangery made the perfect setting for a leisurely breakfast: bright, airy, and beautifully serene. The breakfast was tasty and it was just lovely slipping straight back into conversation as if no time had passed at all …
Of course, we couldn’t resist a little browse in the shop before we set off to explore the gardens — and somehow I came away with a rather fabulous new hat!
Our next stop was the Garden of Surprises, which lived up to its name in all the right ways. There was something truly magical about weaving through hidden pathways, bubbling fountains, and playful water features — all while trying not to melt in the scorching heat!
There were certainly plenty of ‘oohs’ and ‘wows’ heard as we turned a corner to find yet another unexpected surprise. There were also plenty of times when it was very tempting to ignore the rules and go barefoot for a cooling paddle … though we did all manage to behave ourselves and resist …
Thankfully, there were plenty of shady spots to pause and cool down a little, and the sound of water trickling through the garden made it feel an absolute delight …
Next, we made our way over to the sculpture trail. The walk took us through peaceful woodland and wide open parkland, dotted with striking sculptures that ranged from quirky to thought-provoking. We are always fascinated seeing how art interacts with nature — and this trail definitely gave us a bit of both …
There were certainly plenty of moments to just stop for a while and just take it all in …
At the moment there is also an outdoor art installation … Botanic Tapestry … on display. This exhibition of striking botanical flags celebrates the harmony between, art, nature and history.
It certainly was looking striking on our visit … with the brightly coloured flags waving in the breeze …
… atop a mound covered with the most spectacular of wild flower displays …
By the end of our visit, we were warm, slightly sun-kissed, and definitely feeling the need for some cool refreshment in The Garden Cafe.
It had been a lovely way to spend a sunny Sunday and to finish off our weekend away. I’m certain it’s somewhere we will come back to as I would love to visit the house too.
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What an interesting place Burghley is. Such unusual features. I love the face. And the hat is perfect! x
ReplyDeleteIt was somewhere neither of us have ever been and it certainly didn’t disappoint. We loved the water gardens and the outdoor sculpture. We will definitely go back at some point to see the house x
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