What a lovely weekend we have had here in the South of England, with temperatures reaching the highest this year! Summer really has begun.
My mother and I are quite often like ships passing in the night, we very rarely get to spend quality time together and when we do it’s always on horse back. As we are both avid National Trust goes we have decided to dedicated one day a month to visiting properties together.
On Saturday we took a visit to a sweet little cottage called Oakhurst Cottage in the village of Hambledon, Surrey.
As you enter the cottage you really do step back in time as the majority of the cottage remains as it always has been. When the cottage was handed over to the trust it was done so on the provision that it would be let out to tenants who would otherwise not be able to afford to live there. It remained lived in until 1983, as it stands today, with no luxury of a bathroom or electricity – this was how the residents wanted it to remain.
Whilst the cottage garden is small, it is pretty and in fact has given me many ideas for our own garden. Filled with Foxgloves and a lovely herb patch.
The cottage is by booked tour only via Winkworth Arboretum, with a maxim tour number of 6. My mother and I had a very exclusive tour as it was just the two of us visiting this National Trust gem.
After visiting the cottage there are shaded woodland footpaths to explore.
The village of Hambledon is very quaint and tranquil, you cannot pass through without a stop off to the local store to indulge in coffee and cake overlooking the green. You can also pick up fresh local produce. Their strawberries were amazing as were their croissants which we had for breakfast this morning.
The Strawberries picked up at the village store were latter enjoyed over a picnic date with Chris (and the dogs) up at one of our regular haunts, Leith Hill, which over looks the stunning countryside of the South of England.
Walking in the Surrey Hills is divine and I can never get enough of it, it has it all openness, views and ancient woodlands to explore and take shade in.
Last nights picnic was not a late one as Bunter was a pain, constantly wining and generally being mischievous. Shiva on the other hand was her angel self.
When we returned home to the cottage it was still far to nice to sit inside so we grabbed the wine, candles and pillows and sat out until last light.
I hope you have had a lovely weekend yourself and will visit for next weekends ambles through the English countryside.. X