Awkward Hill Cottage

About Awkward Hill Cottage

Roughly half an acre in size, the garden is designed to harmonise with the surrounding landscape, and to offer flowers and foliage interest year-round, from snowdrops and hellebores in late winter through to asters, sedums and grasses in the autumn. This is not just because it looks pretty, but also to provide food and shelter for wildlife, such as birds, bees and butterflies.
A wildlife pond with a waterfall is home to frogs and toads, while insects can forage among the pollinator-friendly plants that dominate the borders, such as nepeta, sedums, asters and hardy geraniums. 2022’s additions include extended dry shade planting beneath mature trees on the south-east side of the garden and a ‘Lockdown Garden’ – a container garden for veg and fruit on the gravel drive (which helps deter slugs!). Chickens Dinah, DeeDee, Dizzy and Dido joined the garden team in 2022 in their own run beneath the horse chestnut tree.
The owner, a journalist, is author of Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds, Great Gardens of London and The Secret Gardeners.

Wonderful views over neighbouring meadow and woodland, small pond with jetty, 2 sunny terraces and plenty of places to sit and relax, both in sun and shade.