A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY
PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO DO, IDEAS TO TRY
SENSE OF THE SEASON...
Flitting dragonflies and damselflies
As the weeks warm up, bodies of water from canals and lakes to garden ponds come alive with the whirr of dragonflies and smaller damselflies. On bright days, these delicate aeronauts dart and hover, feeding on midges and flies. Spot them through binoculars as they flit about in flashes of blue, red and yellow or pause on reeds. Damsels close their wings when they’re resting, while dragonflies leave their wings outstretched. british-dragonflies.org.uk
DON'T MISS...
HAY FESTIVAL
Regulars will have had this in the diary for months (23 May- 2 June), but it’s not too late to snap up tickets to sessions withmanyoftheacclaimedspeakers.Browsetheprogramme for talks by environmental campaigner George Monbiot, River Cottage chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, historian Tom Holland and The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades. Missed out, can’t make it or prefer to spend your time in one of Hay-on-Wye’s 30-plus bookshops? Catch up on highlights through the Hay Player online at hayfestival.com.
Happy birthday!
LE MANOIR AUX QUAT ’SAISONS
A pioneer of garden-to-table dining, Le Manoir celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Chef-patron Raymond Blanc has been rooted in local, seasonal produce from the beginning, taking inspiration from his childhood in France. The vegetable gardens of this 15th-century Oxfordshire country house boast 11 plots and a heritage orchard, providing ingredients for the restaurant, with its two Michelin stars. Le Manoir also has a cookery and gardening school, as well as rooms. Watch this space for an exclusive collaboration with Country Living in months to come. belmond.com
OF THE BEST... Chelsea gardens
Look out for these plots with a purpose at Britain’s most prestigious flower show (21-25 May; rhs.org.uk)
WATERAID Exploring the challenges of the climate crisis, this garden, designed by Tom Massey and Je Ahn, features plants that thrive in different amounts of rainfall.
PANATHLON JOY A seating area with a spot for a wheelchair, envisaged by Penelope Walker, feature in this inclusive plot.
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY UK – FOREST BATHING Tapping into the Japanese idea of shinrin-yoku, this space designed by Ula Maria highlights the benefits of spending time in nature.
BOODLES Celebrating 200 years of The National Gallery, Catherine MacDonald’s plot is inspired by works of art.
NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME This community area by Tom Stuart-Smith makes the most of plants donated by gardeners.
QUAINT AND CURIOUS… CASTLETON GARLAND CEREMONY
All hail the Garland King, clopping through the Derbyshire village of Castleton this month on h
