Thorp Perrow Arboretum
Thorp Perrow Arboretum is an 85-acre woodland garden arboretum lying to the north of the village of Snape, near Bedale in the North Riding of Yorkshire.
History
Thorp Perrow was a hamlet, originally known as Thorp (which just means 'hamlet' or 'village' The suffix is from its manorial ownership: a Helewise de Perrow is recorded as landowner during the 13th century.[1]
The Arboretum was originally created by Colonel Sir Leonard Ropner (1895–1977)[2] in 1931. It currently contains numerous gardens founded by Leonard Ropner, some Milbank Pinetum planted by Lady Augusta Milbank during the nineteenth century and a mediæval Spring Wood dates back to the 16th century.[3]
Today the Thorp Perrow estate is considered to be one of the finest arboreta in the United Kingdom.[4]
In July 2006 the gardens celebrated their 75th anniversary by planting the 1,750th tree.[5]
Thorp Perrow today
Thorp Perrow holds five National Plant Collections: Tilia (Lime), Fraxinus (Ash), Cotinus (Smoke Bush), Laburnum and Juglans (Walnut),[6] and has 48 Champion trees in its collection.[7]
The arboretum contains also several ornamental lakes, scenic walks and trails, a playground, a tearoom, and a popular a Birds of Prey Centre. This is one of the largest collections of birds of prey in Yorkshire, from which there are regular flying demonstrations. The Birds of Prey Centre now also incorporates The Northern School of Falconry and Associated Studies, which runs a number of falconry and bird handling courses.
Thorp Perrow provides interest all the year round. In Winter a spectacular display of Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) and Galanthus (Snowdrops) can be seen. In the spring you can witness one of the finest and most extensive plantings of Narcissus (Daffodils) in Yorkshire and its neighbours, including some old and unusual varieties. This is followed by many of the trees covered in blossom, carpets of bluebells and many wild flowers. Midsummer Hydrangeas, Wild flower planting and an array of plants to attract wildlife can be seen. The grass paths throughout the Arboretum are mown on a regular basis, but other areas are mown once a year to provide an ideal habitat for the many wild flowers, fungi and insects that can be seen.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Thorp Perrow Arboretum) |
- Location map: 54°15’55"N, 1°35’55"W
- Thorp Perrow
References
- ↑ "Parishes: Well". British History. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/yorks/north/vol1/pp348-355. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- ↑ "Gardens to visit: Thorp Perrow Arboretum, North Yorks". The Telegraph. 4 November 2011. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenstovisit/8869272/Gardens-to-visit-Thorp-Perrow-Arboretum-North-Yorks.html. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
- ↑ "Garden Information". www.thorpperrow.com. http://www.thorpperrow.com/gardens.html. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- ↑ 10 top arboretums: Stephen Anderton in The Times Weekend (page 5) issue 72,916, 3 August 2019; ISSN 0140-0460
- ↑ "Arboretum plants 1,750th tree to mark its 75th anniversary". Ripon Gazette. 6 April 2006. http://www.ripongazette.co.uk/news/ripon/arboretum_plants_1_750th_tree_to_mark_its_75th_anniversary_1_2698731. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
- ↑ "Notable Plant Collections Bedale, North Yorkshire". https://www.thorpperrow.com/national-collections/. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ↑ "The Tree Register". https://www.treeregister.org/map/site.php?s=778. Retrieved 9 May 2019.