Thursday 7 April 2011

Another visit to the Arboretum










I have often posted a blog about Thorpe Perrow Arboretum but make no excuses for posting another one because if there is one time of the year when everyone wishes to visit Thorpe Perrow it is at Daffodil Time. There are thousands of daffodils. In addition, the area is so sheltered that blossom is also out, although our local trees are nowhere near out yet.

Before you enjoy the pictures - here is a little bit of information about Thorpe Perrow. It covers 100 acres of woodland including 5 National collections- Walnuts, Limes, Ash, Cotinus and Laburnum. Although the actual estate goes back as far as the Domesday Book there have been four major planting periods - one in the 16th century, one in the 17th century (trees in both cases) and then a Pinetum in the middle of the nineteenth century.

In 1931 the 'modern' work began - first by Sir Leonard Ropner and then after 1977 by his son, Sir John Ropner who is still there now.

A friend took me today (thank you W), we had a cup of coffee in the lovely little cafe, then walked round for an hour and a half looking at the daffodils, the scilla, the magnolias and blossom trees, wonderful swathes of marsh marigolds, great blobs of frog spawn - and of course, glorious sunshine. Then it was back to the cafe for large bowls of thick, heary vegetable and pearl barley soup with brown rolls and butter.

It is not just the flowers, the trees, the cafe and the lovely walks - it is the peace and tranquility - all in all a wonderful tonic for the soul. Enjoy the photographs.

15 comments:

Gerry Snape said...

times and places like this are soul enhancing.Great post.

Heather said...

Looking at your beautiful photos I could almost smell the fresh air, fresh foliage and blossoms - a tonic indeed. It must be wonderful to have the foresight and money to undertake such an enormous planting project.

Tess Kincaid said...

I thoroughly enjoyed the photos. Just glorious!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Ooooh, wonderful Weaver - what a lot of glorious giraffodils! It's so good to visit again after being so busy.

Robin Mac said...

Such a beautiful scene, and how wonderful to be able to visit it. You must feel very uplifted after a day like that. The soup sounded pretty good too. Cheers

Acornmoon said...

It looks beautiful, I will put it on my list.

Thanks for telling me about your Novica experience, your bag looks beautiful.

Rarelesserspotted said...

Lovely pictures, thanks for sharing...
XX

Eryl said...

Looks gorgeous, I love wandering round other people's gardens and if there's a cafe all the better.

Titus said...

How beautiful Weaver! Looks like the most perfect of Spring days.
I wonder if it's day-trippable from us? I love arboretums.

steven said...

weaver do you mind if i express some heartfelt envy! wow you lucky lucky person. steven

angryparsnip said...

I love to look and walk around city gardens and arboretums.

What a treat you had and we did too !

cheers, parsnip

ChrisJ said...

Oh yes, the peace and tranquility! The flowers are just so beautiful and now spring is here. Sounds like your arboretum is for you what Leo Carillo ranch is for us.

Hildred said...

So pleased you had such a lovely day, Weaver, - the age of the gardens and woodland fill me with awe, - it must be very beautiful.

Dinesh chandra said...

spring is the flower season god must love the same. I love flowers .

Regards

Dinesh Chandra

Golden West said...

Glorious, glorious daffodils!