Brambly Hedge at Hidcote
If you look closely around Hidcote this year, you might start to notice the signs of something exciting arriving later this year…
A tiny doorway is taking shape in a tree trunk.
A miniature handle is being carefully fixed to a hidden trap door.
Tiny pawprints are appearing along the paths.
That’s because, behind the scenes, we’re busy bringing the world of Brambly Hedge to life.
Launching in September 2026, this new family trail will transform the gardens into a storybook landscape inspired by Jill Barklem’s much-loved tales. But for now, it’s all still in the making - and every detail is being carefully crafted by hand.
Building a world, one tiny detail at a time
Across the property, the team are creating hundreds of miniature elements that will be hidden throughout the garden.
Small enough to belong to the mice themselves, these details are being created using a mix of traditional craft and imaginative design. Wooden doors are being carved and shaped to nestle into tree roots. Archways are being sculpted to fit naturally into the landscape. Tiny hinges, handles and frames are being added one by one - the kind of details you only notice when you stop and look closely.
Each piece is designed to feel as though it has always belonged there, quietly tucked into the hedgerows and garden paths.
Thinking big as well as small
While much of the trail will be miniature, there’s another side to the story taking shape inside the house.
Step inside and it will feel as though you’ve entered the world of Brambly Hedge itself - where everything is made for mice, and you are suddenly their size.
Overhead, strings of apples hang in great clusters, dandelions tower above you, and oversized blackberries sit ready to be turned into a freshly baked pie. Everyday objects appear larger than life, creating the sense that you’ve stepped straight into one of the illustrations, right at the heart of the mice’s home.
This opening scene will set the tone for the adventure, giving visitors the feeling that they have stepped into the world of Brambly Hedge before heading out into the gardens.
Like the outdoor elements, these larger pieces are being created by hand — from oversized fruits to carefully arranged shelves filled with objects inspired by the stories.
Learning to think like a mouse
Although mice are the focus, it’s the humans who are working hard to create Brambly Hedge at Hidcote, working closely with the Brambly Hedge team to bring this miniature world to life.
A team of craft volunteers have been working on the details of the trail. A huge amount of thought and care has already gone into the project, with each item either handmade or upcycled. Each piece plays a part in building a world that feels both magical and rooted in Hidcote’s natural surroundings, helping to create an experience that visitors of all ages can enjoy.
A story waiting to be discovered
When the trail opens on 26 September, visitors will be invited to follow the journey of Primrose, a small mouse who finds herself lost among the hedgerows.
Along the way, the garden will reveal a series of scenes from her story - from cosy homes hidden in tree trunks to quiet glimpses of life beneath the leaves.
But for now, it’s still a work in progress as the garden gets ready to tell a new story.
© Jill Barklem 2026 All Rights Reserved. www.bramblyhedge.com
