I Spent a Weekend Playing Botany Manor and Didn’t Want it to End

From the same publisher that brought us Wytchwood and Lake comes a new kind of peaceful adventure—Botany Manor, a serene exploration puzzle game set in a 19th-century English estate.

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As someone who grew up wandering real-life stately homes tucked into the British countryside, Botany Manor instantly felt familiar to me. It’s the kind of game that doesn’t just invite you to play—it welcomes you home.

What is Botany Manor About?

The manor you explore belonged to Arabella Greene, a retired botanist. As you wander through grand hallways and tucked-away rooms, you’ll piece together her life’s work, solving puzzles that help rare plants bloom once more.

Set in Somerset, England, the atmosphere is everything: soft sunlight streaming through stained glass, distant birdsong echoing through the grounds, and the comforting hush of a place steeped in time. It feels like walking through a real National Trust property—if that property happened to be hiding a few botanical mysteries..

Exploring Botany Manor reminded me so much of my childhood school trips—days spent running across vast lawns, a sandwich in hand, as I soaked up the beauty of these old places.

There’s something so grounding about walking through a home that has stories to tell, and this game captures that magic perfectly.

If you’ve ever visited Blickling Estate in Norfolk (and if you haven’t—go!), you’ll know the feeling. This game brought back those memories in full bloom.

Actually, I filmed a little gameplay tour where I talk about both the game and my day out—it’s up on YouTube, linked at the bottom of this post!

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My First Impressions of Botany Manor

The game begins in the conservatory, and right away you’re set free to explore. There’s no glowing arrow or voiceover telling you where to go. And honestly? I loved that.

At first, I wandered aimlessly—picking up pots, flipping through postcards, noticing tiny white dots that hinted at interactive objects. It felt like I was in a dream. Quiet, slow, and open-ended.

I especially liked the way the postcards introduced other characters—scientific colleagues, maybe even friends—who were part of Arabella’s world. It gave the house a sense of connection, even though I was the only one in it. It wasn’t lonely. It was peaceful.

When I finally started planting my first seed, windmill wort, I found the potting station intuitive and satisfying. Watering it felt meditative. But I did stumble a bit with the Herbarium—you have to manually add clues as you go, and I didn’t realize that at first.

There’s no harsh penalty, though, and that fits the tone of the game: discovery at your own pace.

Botany Manor uses a clever system where you find clues to determine each plant’s ideal growing environment. That’s the core of the game—and while I’m usually not a huge fan of puzzles, this one pulled me in.

The puzzles aren’t hard in the traditional sense, but they do ask you to pay attention. I missed one tiny bottle I needed and ended up retracing my steps for 15 minutes before finally spotting it. But I never felt frustrated. Just… curious.

That’s what makes this game special—it encourages you to slow down and notice the little things. And honestly? That’s a mindset I wish more games offered.

How is Botany Manor a Cozy Game?

I finished the game in about 4 hours, but I probably spent half that time just admiring the view. Every corner of Botany Manor feels hand-tended and intentional.

This game won me over not just because it’s pretty (though it really is), but because it mirrors a part of my real-life joy: exploring old homes, learning their stories, and savoring quiet moments.

I’ll be playing it again and again. If you love peaceful exploration, cozy puzzles, and stories told through spaces, this one’s for you.

About Whitethorn Games & Balloon Studios

It’s no surprise this game comes from Whitethorn Games, the cozy powerhouse behind Wytchwood, Lake, and Calico. Their partnership with Balloon Studios, a small but mighty team based in the UK, has resulted in something truly special.

Together, they’ve crafted a world that’s both enchanting and grounded. And if the demo is anything to go by, Botany Manor is set to be one of the most memorable cozy titles of the year.

Botany Manor is a sight to behold. Its beauty is incomparable. Balloon Studios has done a fine job of bringing English history to cozy gamers and giving us a peaceful respite from our hectic lives.

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Wendy

Wendy is a cozy gaming content creator from the UK who specializes in a sub-genre of video games called 'cozy games'. When she's not playing video games, Wendy likes to go treasure hunting for antiques and spend time with her husband.