No real birds today – just some sculptures. 

This morning we had our first outing of the year to a National Garden Scheme garden.

Highnam Court, 3 miles out of  Gloucester on the A40, was supporting the Pied Piper Appeal. Founded in 1992, The Pied Piper Appeal is the leading children’s charity in Gloucestershire. Their mission is to make a difference to the lives of sick and disabled children in the county.

We combined our visit to Highnam Court with a visit to Highnam Church which features in Simon Jenkins’ England’s 1000 Best Churches. 

The Holy Innocents Church, Highnam, is a Grade I Listed Building, one of the most significant Victorian churches in the country. The church was commissioned by Thomas Gambier Parry the owner of the nearby Highnam Court, and was consecrated in 1851. The architecture is gothic revival style, and the church is decorated throughout with frescos painted by Thomas Gambier Parry. Hubert Parry, his son, inherited the estate and is best remembered for his musical setting for Blake’s poem ‘Jerusalem’ and much other memorable church music.

In Sir John Benjamin’s words The Church of the Holy Innocents is the most complete Victorian Church in England