When the sun shines in February it really does feel like a gift and one not to waste. Today was just one of those days, so we jumped in the car and headed north to the Cotswolds, to Newark Park, a National Trust property close to Stroud.

The sun was wonderfully warm, we wandered through the gardens peeling off layers of coats and scarves, noticing the small differences between clumps of white belled blooms. My sons ran through the trees, discovering the ruined folly (jail, as they called it), before stumbling across a shimmering blue peacock basking in the sunshine.

After spending the morning running around in the sun, we headed off in search of an ice cream at the famous family run Winstones Ices, perched high up on Rodborough Common overlooking Stroud. A perfect end to a spring-like day.

Note: be sure to check the opening times and dates before you visit. The grounds are open from 15-23rd February 2014 for snowdrop viewing and re-open for the season on 5 March 2014.

Images by Lou Archell