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Batsford Arboretum
Summary
The largest and most extensive private collection of trees and shrubs
in Britain. The arboretum shares space in Batsford Park with the Cotswold
Falconry Centre.
Statue of Buddha, Batsford |
The Arboretum - Background
Batsford Arboretum was the brainchild of Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford,
who inheirited the Batsford estate in 1886. Freeman-Mitford, later 1st
Lord Redesdale, travelled widely throughout the Far East, and was heavily
influenced by Chinese and Japanese culture, philosophy, and horticulture.
Upon taking possession of Batsford, he created a unique mix of parkland
and garden, with groupings of plants in imitation of Chinese style.
Redesdale was an expert in bamboos, and many of the bamboo plants you
can see today were his plantings.
Redesdale also began to plant unusual varieties of plants and trees,
beside a 600 metre long watercourse. Included in his vision were a hermit's
cave, rockery, and rest house.
Japanese style bridge, Batsford |
The foundation established by Lord Redesdale was greatly expanded by
Frederick Hamilton Wills, 2nd Lord Dulverston, who inheirited Batsford
in 1956. It is to Lord Dulverston that Batsford owes a great deal of
its appeal today; he added considerably to the collection of trees,
creating at Batford an arboretum of the highest international standards.
The Collections
Though the focus of Batsford is truly international, it is in the area
of Oriental shrubs and trees that the collection shines. There are over
3,000 labelled plants, trees, and shrubs at Batsford. Notable varities
include oak, maple, mountain ash, magnolias, Japanese Cherries, bamboos,
and pine.
Batsford holds the national collection of Japenese Village Cherries.
I've put together a collection of my favourite photos of Batsford in
a Batsford
Arboretum Photo Gallery, which should give you a good idea of the
variety of species you can enjoy on a visit to the arboretum.
Location
off A44 Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Hill. No entry through Batsford
village.
Autumn foliage at Batsford |
Admission
Fee charged. For current details see the official website (below). A
combined ticket allowing entry to the Arboretum and Falconry Centre
is available.
Contact
Batsford Park
Moreton-in-Marsh
Gloucestershire
GL56 9QB
Telephone: + 44 (0)1386 701441
Fax : + 44 (0)1386 701829
website
Location
map
Nearby
Blockley
Related:
Cotswolds
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