Special Visitor

A very special visitor has recently been spotted soaring high in the sky above Hidcote. A red kite, more commonly seen in Wales, central Scotland and central England has been delighting visitors with aerial fly-pasts. Those dedicated 'birders' who braved the early start at our dawn chorus walk were also rewarded with a rare glimpse of our new feathered friend.

Here's some fascinating facts for you. Red kites can live up to 20 years and have an impressive wing span of two metres! They're renowned for their distinctive forked tail and striking red chestnut coloured feathers. It is reported that they became so close to extinction that in 1977 the entire population of kites emanated from just one female bird!

We've all got our fingers crossed that our red kite likes the Cotswolds and stays a bit longer.

Supernatural Signings

We're delighted to be welcoming the renowned author Diz White on Saturday 26 June. She'll be here signing copies of her new book - aptly titled 'Haunted Cotswolds'. You'll be able to meet Diz and get an exclusive signed copy of her book anytime between 2pm and 4pm.

As the name suggests, Diz has gathered together spine-chilling tales of ghosts and the undead from every corner of the Cotswolds, revealing in heart-stopping detail our region's unexplained events that lurk beneath the rolling hills and beautiful visitas.

British-born Diz, together with her husband Randall Montgomery whose photographs illustrate the book, divides her time between a career in Hollywood as an actress and screenplay writer, and her cottage in Gloucestershire, which she uses as a base for writing books about the Cotswolds.