NNHS Trip, 25th April 2010
Visit to Courteenhall Arboretum at the invitation of Sir Hereward Wake
written by Paul Hayes and Jo Underwood
NNHS members with Sir Hereward and Lady Wake (photo: Paul Hayes)
We were met outside the Hall by Sir Hereward and Lady Wake on a sunny spring afternoon and after a welcome and brief history of the house by Sir Hereward we were treated to a guided tour of his arboretum. It was created after the second world war from an area of parkland and the trees planted at that time are now fully matured and have been supplemented by Sir Hereward with the introduction of further specimens from all over the world many of which are extremely rare.
Thanks to the cold winter the flowering trees were still in their full glory with magnolia and cherry just two of the species that provided a tapestry of colour.
Sir Hereward Wake pointing out the finer points (photo: Paul Hayes)
After the amble through the arboretum we were treated to tea and homemade sandwiches and cakes in The Old Grammar Schoolroom and a most interesting potted history of the building which dates back to the late 17th. Century and still contains early furnishings and graffiti.
The visit ended with a delightful stroll round the gardens of The Old School House and for some a walk to Courteenhall churchyard to see the wild tulips.
For many more images of the day,
visit the NNHS gallery album
by clicking here