In the early 1960s, Winston and Janet Howes began their life together after marrying in the English town of Stroud. As they built a family and worked the land in South Gloucestershire, their days were shaped by routine, commitment, and shared purpose. After more than three decades together, their life took a heartbreaking turn when Janet passed away suddenly in the mid-1990s, leaving behind a husband and son adjusting to life without her presence.
In the years that followed, Mr. Howes chose to honor his wife in a deeply personal way. Rather than a public memorial, he envisioned something private and lasting—an outdoor space rooted in nature and memory. On his farmland near Wickwar, he quietly began planting trees, carefully arranging them over time to form a meaningful shape. The project was never announced and remained unknown to most people for many years.
The tribute only came to wider attention in 2012, when it was noticed from the air by a hot air balloon pilot flying overhead. From above, the trees revealed a perfectly shaped heart, hidden from view at ground level by surrounding hedges and natural contours of the land. The design was intentional: a place of reflection that could only be fully appreciated from a different perspective, which is why it remained unnoticed for so long.
Today, the heart-shaped meadow stands as a living legacy. Thousands of trees, seasonal flowers, and a simple bench create a peaceful retreat where memories can be honored quietly. For Mr. Howes, it became a place to sit, think, and remember—a reminder that love does not always need an audience. Sometimes, the most powerful tributes are the ones shaped slowly, patiently, and with care, blending into the landscape while carrying deep personal meaning.