Thorp Perrow walk - Thorp Perrow Arboretum

Route: Thorp Perrow Arboretum

Area: North Yorkshire

Date of walk: 14th October 2020

Walkers: Andrew

Distance: 2.0 miles

Weather: Cloudy, some rain

Thorp Perrow Arboretum, near Bedale in North Yorkshire, boasts one of the largest collections of shrubs and trees in the North of England, including 5 National Collections, around 2,000 different types of tree and 84 species on the list of threatened plants

The garden is laid out in sections, each of which connects with its neighbour via paths, grass walks, glades, bays, or avenues. There are trees from all over the world, including 51 Champion Trees which are recorded and designated by the Tree Register of the British Isles. The land was originally parkland dating back to the 16th century, but began its transformation thanks to the efforts of Sir Leonard Ropner who began cultivating and collecting trees in the 1930s

We’ve been coming here for several years in different seasons and there’s always something of interest. Autumn is a particularly good time to visit, as the arboretum contains a large collection of Japanese maples, or acers, and they look spectacular at this time of year

On arrival I was given a map of the gardens, but as on previous visits to this place I decided to wander around rather than follow a fixed route. There are numerous tempting paths, and it’s best to go where your fancy takes you. The map is useful though, as it’s easy to lose your bearings. It’s also possible to buy a catalogue at the entrance which identifies the trees

I spent a couple of hours walking around the 100 acres of grounds and every step was a delight. The photos which follow are not intended to cover the whole garden, but merely to give a sense of its special atmosphere…

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