At first you might mistake Kate Friend’s photographs for paintings. Deep colours and simple compositions make up her ‘botanical portraits’ that are reminiscent of Dutch Old Masters but updated in digital photographic form. In this exhibition at Thyme she asked green fingered friends to each choose a flower for her to photograph. There’s dried hydrangeas chosen by Margaret Howell, dahlias picked by Charlie McCormick. Each is beautiful, delicate and with its own distinct personality, as expressive as portraits of people.
We visited the Tithe Barn at Thyme last year for the Jam Jar exhibition of pressed flowers, and it makes perfect sense that Kate Friend follows. Surrounded by water meadows and beautiful gardens, the vast whitewashed walls of the barn make the perfect setting for these sensitive images of nature. They look so wonderful hung together you want to buy them all – we especially loved the strawberry on an orange background and the cow parsley on inky green. From the Tithe Barn steps lead up to the shop where you can make a purchase, though don’t delay as some have already sold.
In the shop you’ll also find Thyme’s own brand, Bertioli that includes watercolour botanical linens designed by owner, Caryn Hibbert and natural beauty products made with essential oils. We love their 3-in-1 bar of soap that works as a shampoo, conditioner and body wash all in one – and properly lathers like a traditional shampoo.
For a fully immersive experience book into the Botanical Bothy for the new Ritual treatment; one of the most blissful and transportive spa treatments we’ve ever had. Breathwork is combined with pressure point techniques and massage with the option to have your hair washed too. Afterwards you have time to relax in a private enclosed garden with an outdoor bath – that’s run for you – along with a pot of thyme and honey tea. For one or two people, the treatment alone would be a reason to visit the hotel. We floated out feeling altogether lighter.
Even if you’re not a guest at the hotel, the Kate Friend exhibition is free to visit – and if you do so from 1st – 3rd July there will also be a series of workshops happening in the Tithe Barn including basket weaving, soap making, watercolour painting and more from Vigour & Skills. Open until 25th September 2022.
A Little Bird Loves
