Silent Skies

Across many Hand Picked estates, mature woodland, open parkland, lakes and gardens provide a natural habitat for an impressive variety of British birdlife. From familiar garden visitors to more elusive species, there is always something to notice if you take a little time to look.

Perhaps you are walking through the grounds after breakfast when a bird passes overhead, or you catch a flash of colour among the trees. It may be one of the many birds that make our hotel grounds and surrounding countryside their home. Yet the real pleasure is not simply spotting one; it is the opportunity to stop, stare and take notice of everything else around you. The gentle chorus of woodland birds accompanies an early morning stroll. A robin appears confidently on a nearby fence post, seemingly unfazed by your presence. Blue tits and great tits dart between ancient branches with remarkable speed, while blackbirds search quietly beneath hedgerows before filling the evening air with their unmistakable song.

Around lakes and ponds, mallards drift effortlessly across still water while moorhens weave between reeds almost unnoticed. If you are fortunate, you may even catch sight of a statuesque heron standing motionless at the water’s edge. And, occasionally, the unmistakable flash of a kingfisher adds a brilliant burst of colour to the landscape.

Britain’s birdlife has seen some remarkable conservation success stories in recent decades, with many species returning to areas where they had become increasingly rare.

Together with the birds that have long made our gardens, woodland and waterways their home, they contribute to the rich variety of wildlife found across the countryside surrounding many of our Hand Picked properties. Then, as daylight begins to fade, another familiar countryside resident takes centre stage.

Owls have long been woven into Britain’s folklore, symbols of wisdom, mystery and quiet confidence. Watching one emerge from woodland at dusk is an unforgettable experience. Their flight is almost completely silent, their wings carrying them through the evening air with extraordinary precision. Whether glimpsed briefly between ancient trees or heard calling across open countryside, an owl is one of those wildlife encounters that can make an evening walk particularly memorable. Our hotels provide the perfect setting to enjoy these encounters. Mature woodland, open parkland, lakes, carefully managed gardens and surrounding countryside create habitats that attract an astonishing variety of wildlife throughout the seasons. The beauty is in the simplicity; all that is required is a comfortable bench, a quiet terrace or an unhurried walk before dinner.

Birdwatching is no longer reserved for enthusiasts carrying notebooks and binoculars. Increasingly, people are discovering the simple pleasure of looking up, listening carefully and allowing themselves a few moments to appreciate their surroundings. It offers an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with the landscape and notice something that might otherwise have passed you by. So, during your next stay, take a little time to wander beyond the hotel doors. Look to the skies, pause beside the lakes to watch the resident waterfowl, and linger beneath the woodland canopy as the songbirds make themselves heard.

You may arrive looking for a luxury escape, but one of the pleasures of staying in such beautiful surroundings, is discovering the wildlife that shares them with us.