A Heavenly Week In The Cotswolds

Among the Roses and Antique Finds

This week I’ve been staying with my dear friend Maria, at her magical cottage just outside Moreton-in-Marsh. Nestled within acres of glorious countryside, the house is surrounded by wild gardens, shaded pathways, and even a peaceful lake that sparkles in the afternoon light. It’s the kind of place that feels slightly unreal — as though you’ve stepped into a dream woven from stillness and birdsong. I’m in heaven here.

Maria and I met in Edinburgh, quite by chance, in our local supermarket of all places. We bonded instantly over our dogs, and that casual encounter blossomed into one of my most cherished friendships. She now divides her time between London and the Cotswolds, and whenever I visit, we fall effortlessly back into our rhythm — walks, laughter, simple meals outside, and long conversations that stretch into the evening air.

The location couldn’t be more ideal — just eight minutes from Daylesford, which we’ve naturally visited more than once this week. And with the heatwave in full force, it’s been a delight to sit outside late into the evening, sipping something cold and watching the sky soften into peach and rose.

I lived in the Cotswolds back in 2017, for three years before returning to Edinburgh. It has always felt like home to me, and being back this week — in the quiet, in the sunshine, among the scent of sweet peas and freshly cut grass — has stirred something in me. I’ve found myself wondering if I might return for good.

For now, I’m simply soaking it all in — the peace, the beauty, the joy of being somewhere that feels entirely right.

---

One of the highlights of my week was visiting Bourton House Garden, a small but truly enchanting spot just outside Moreton-in-Marsh. At only three acres, it’s not vast — but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty. Every inch feels considered yet abundant, with deep herbaceous borders overflowing with texture and colour. There’s a quiet elegance to the place, as though it’s been gently perfected over time rather than overly designed. I wandered slowly along gravel paths lined with lavender and salvia, lingered by the knot garden, and sat for a while beneath the shade of a perfectly-placed bench. It’s one of my favourite gardens to visit — intimate, inspiring, and utterly peaceful.

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn