Thorp Perrow Arboretum

Thorp Perrow Arboretum is an 85-acre (34 ha) woodland garden Arboretum near Bedale in North Yorkshire, England.

Originally known as Thorp (a once common village name meaning hamlet or small village), it most probably gets its name from being owned by Helewise de Perrow who was an early landowner during the 13th century.

The Arboretum was originally created by Colonel Sir Leonard Ropner (1895–1977) 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 medieval Spring Wood dates back to the 16th century. Today the Thorp Perrow estate is considered to be one of the finest Arboretums (a collections of trees and shrubs) in the United Kingdom.

In July 2006 the gardens celebrated their 75th anniversary by planting the 1,750th tree.

Thorp Perrow is also famously known to have five National Plant Collections; Tilia (Lime), Fraxinus (Ash), Cotinus (Smoke Bush), Laburnum and Juglans (Walnut) and boasts at least 66 Champion trees in its collection. It contains 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 the north of England 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 northern England, 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 regualr 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.

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Wikipedia