Janet, Howard Howes’ wife, passed away 17 years ago. In the months that followed, he turned a six-acre area next his farmhouse into a heart-shaped meadow as a memorial to her by planting thousands of oak seedlings there. The heart’s tip faces Janet’s childhood residence.

Hot air balloon enthusiast Andy Collett, 42, saw the heart and captured it in all its beauty while flying above the woods, leading to the revelation of the secret heart meadow.

The 70-year-old Howes discussed his homage by saying, “After Janet passed away, I had the notion to create a heart in the field clearing. I planted thousands of oak trees because I felt it was a brilliant idea. It was an epiphany. After it was finished, we set up a bench in the field with a view of the hill close to her former residence.

I occasionally go down there to simply sit and reflect. It is a beautiful and enduring memorial to her that will remain for many years,” he continued.

The 112-acre farm in Gloucestershire, close to Wickwar, is owned by Howes. He married Janet in 1962, and she died from heart disease at age 50 in 1995.

There is simply a pathway that leads up to the tip of the secret heart.

There are thousands of trees, therefore we brought in personnel just to handle this. We planted enormous oak trees around the edge of the heart and decided to add a hedge around it also. The heart is pointing in the direction of Janet’s hometown, Wotton Hill. In the center, we plant daffodils, which bloom in the spring and look fantastic. I occasionally walk outside and take a seat in the chair I made,” Howes remarked.

He continued, “About five years ago, I flew over it myself as well.”

Collett said, “I have my own balloon and am quite a regular flyer, but this was the most amazing sight I have ever seen from the sky,” in reference to the incredible find. You would never have known that the flawless heart was there because it was out of sight.

“Imagine the romantic tale,” he continued.