Gardens and Arboretum

The development of the Arboretum is an ongoing project to achieve a vast collection of shrubs and trees from all over the temperate world. The collection is planted on a geographical theme, so plants from the principal regions of the world are grouped together.

There are areas representing Europe, Japan, China, Asia, the Americas and Gondwanaland (Southern Hemisphere).

The Entrance

Upon entering the Arboretum you encounter the European section, which was designed to blend with the natural countryside extending beyond the deer fence.

The Honywood Oak

Located on the West side of the brook is the massive Honywood Oak, which is probably over 700 years old and is one of the very few remaining oaks that were once scattered throughout the 130 acre deer park.

Gondwanaland

This was the ancient supercontinent that formed the evolutionary cradle for the vegetation of South America, the Indian Subcontinents and Australasia. It is situated in an area that was devastated by the 1987 hurricane and has therefore been cleared of the conifer crop. It is an undulating landscape of low mounds, which are sheltered on the western edge by the planting of Nothofagus (southern beech). Since the start of development in 1999, 200 Eucalyptus trees have been planted and on warm days the oil aroma provides a heady scent. Marks Hall have since embarked on experimental planting of Cordyline australis, the Cabbage Palm, Agapanthus and Cortaderia richardii.

The Lakes

Were previously a series of three that have now been modified to form two, with brickwork dams and cascades. The lakes once contained a large stock of fresh water mussels and although these have gone, there is still a healthy population of Roach, Golden Orfe and Goldfish. Next to the lower lake is an original nuttery containing Cob Nut trees. This area is now a “spring flower area” with snowdrops, species of daffodils, cowslips and other wild flowers.

The Birkett Long Millennium Walk

Is located within the Asian section of the Arboretum, and has been planted with autumn, winter and early spring in mind. The brightly coloured stems of the Dogwood and Rubus provide spectacular reflections in the lake. The Sarcococca (Christmas Box) combined with the Chimonanthus (Wintersweet) provide a spicy sweet scent that compliment the bold contrasts in colour.

The Walled Garden

Comprises five separate gardens, starting with an earth sculpture representing a new beginning, the start of the year. A Pittosporum hedge merges into the second garden, where it forms the backbone, snaking and dipping to provide support for plants such as feathery, purple Fennel and graceful fronds of Achillea ‘Moonshine’. The Pittosporum disappears through a hedge into the third and central garden. Here everything is strong and clear, where Amelanchier ‘Robin Hill’ shades the long stone seats. The line taken by the Pittosporum leaps across the garden through a series of spheres, first clipped box and then of stone. Most striking is the clipped box and stone table, from which right angles of Lavender grosso run, pierced by a contrasting line of Iris ‘Deep Black’. In the fourth garden the thread has become an undulating stonewall, and the planting is fiery red, orange, gold and yellow, where the colours last well into autumn. Finally the slate thread dives into a block of Hornbeam and disappears back into the earth, through a deep slate pool marking the end of the cycle.

The walnut walk

Follows a track to find, hidden within the conifers, three Walnut trees left behind when the rest of the park trees were felled. Walnuts grow well at Marks Hall and these trees have produced several young seedlings in recent years.

Robins Grove

Is a lovely piece of woodland and is home to our Snowdrop carpet. There are three varieties: a small group of Galanthus Elwesii, single Snowdrops and by far the largest contingent are the double Snowdrops.

The Long Avenue

Is over ¾ of a mile long and probably formed the main entrance to the Estate and approach to the Mansion. The trees were originally all Oaks, although Thomas Phillips Price replanted the southern portion in the early 1900’s. The 1987 Hurricane destruction led to further replanting in the northern part. The Oaks remaining are over 200 years old, and included here are several specimens of the Wild Service tree.