Osterley Park

Hope and decay

/ mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

A final selection from what was a very fruitful and enjoyable photographic trip to Osterley Park in west London.

These shots seem to sum up two extremes. There is the early summer joy of woodland growth and meadowland flowers. But the grounds also revealed weariness and decay, including the defiant but jagged remains of trees and their gnarled bark.

The one human capture encapsulates both these aspects – a mature couple rest at the stump of a tree, while there is a sense that they are looking forward to the rest of their walk with energy and vigour.

The Photo Shop

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Dandelion green

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Dandelion green

The humble yet wonderful dandelion clock. Irresistible to us all, and something that just has to be photographed.

This was found on the grounds of Osterley Park, a rural oasis close to Heathrow Airport. Nature’s tick-tock can be awash with colour or a dramatic monochrome.

At least two good reasons for crouching in the grass to capture this delight…

Feather-fine

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A country estate

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Osterley House

Osterley Park has it all. Acres of formal gardens and waterways, lush woodlands and an impressive stately pile right at its heart.

You would think it lies in some English shire, but it’s just a handful of Tube stations away from my urban west London manor of Hammersmith. 

As you walk around the grounds, the rural illusion is occasionally shattered by jets thundering over from nearby Heathrow Airport. But even so, this is a wonderful oasis close to the city.

This set of photographs captures just a little of a very enjoyable wander around a slice of National Trust goodness close to the heart of London.

The Photo Shop

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Stately seating

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This elegant bench looked so neat that I couldn’t sit on it – I took its photograph instead.

If you roam the beautiful grounds of Osterley Park in west London, there are no shortage of spots to rest your weary legs, from logs in the woods to stately seats close to the house at the centre of the estate.

I’ll share more from this London oasis with you soon.

The green seatClick first image for the full gallery experience

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Golden oldies

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Golden churn

The British crawl into summer is a tentative one as usual, with Atlantic weather systems bringing heavy cloud and rain sweeping across our island. 

But there has been – and will be – sunshine and long days. With it comes carpets of wild flowers, golden favourites that are humble, plentiful and beautiful.

Cascades of buttercups, plump pillows of dandelions lead the pack. Can they really tell if you’re a fan of butter? Do they make you wet the bed? I doubt it. But well worth lying in the grass to photograph.

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photo shop green