Our next 2012 field weekend will be to Shropshire and Herefordshire in June, Friday 15th to Sunday 17th. Visits to The Burwarton and The Harley Estates, and The Bodenham Arboretum & Gardens
Friday 15th June
The Burwarton Estate, Nr Bridgnorth, Shropshire
By Kind permission of 11th Viscount Boyne.
Burwarton Estate is owned by the Boyne family and covers nearly 12,000 acres in the vicinity of the Brown Clee Hill. The hill is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a prominent feature of south Shropshire rising to 1,772 ft making it the highest hill in Shropshire. The woodlands extend to 1,400 acres of mixed species with broadleaved mixtures predominating on the lower ground while conifers are planted commercially to 1,650 ft giving way to open moorland near the summit. The summit has been reduced by some fifty feet to its present height by quarrying for Dhustone in the 1900s. The House, designed by Colvin with listed park land, dates from around 1850.
Saturday 16th June
The Harley Estate, Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire
By kind permission of the Harley family.
The castle and estates are steeped in history and have been in the same family since 1309. Brampton Bryan Deer Park is thought to be of late 15th Century origin, although only appearing on Saxton’s map of the county in 1577. The Park lies to the south west of the village, unattached from the main house and castle. The eastern half of the Park is relatively level, whilst the western half rises onto a north/south ridge, descending on the other side to join a second Park. In the main bowl of the Park there are open launds, wood pasture, ornamental late 17th Century plantings of Sweet Chestnut, veteran Oaks and 18th Century pools.
Sunday 17th June (a.m. only)
The Bodenham Arboretum & Gardens, Nr Kidderminster
By kind permission of David Binnian Esq.
Bodenham is an area of outstanding landscape beauty having a secret garden nurtured since 1973 with an oasis of plantations, pools and avenues, including over 3,000 species of trees and shrubs from around the world. Its 156 acres contain mature woodland and the higher reaches of the Arboretum provide extensive views to the Clent Hills and surrounding countryside. The Farm to Fork restaurant will be available to our group.
Members and their guests will be very welcome
To book, please contact Woodland Heritage on 01428 652159
or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
