Monday 8th October 2018

After breakfast having looked at the weather forecast for the day we decided to have a drive up to Bedale with the dogs and a walk around the Thorpe Perrow Arboretum. It was quite a mild morning, fine and dry with the possibility of sunshine later in the day.

We had a good drive up the A1 arriving at the Arboretum about 10.45am, just 50 minutes after we left home. The sun was breaking through the grey gloomy sky casting some bright rays on the terrace of ancient Horse chestnut and Oak trees that line the car park. The ground was covered in fallen conkers, their deep brown shells glistening in the morning sunlight. 

Needless to say as is usual on our days out, the sun disappears behind the clouds until we return to the car to come home and we drive home in glorious sunshine.  Today was no exception, as we went into the Arboretum the sun was just slowly disappearing behind some low cloud! From the entrance we turned right and followed the trail in a anti clockwise direction, although the sun was well hidden behind the cloud the autumnal colours on the trees and shrubs was remarkable, we followed the path that runs alongside the stream, passing the children’s play area on the left and continuing on passing ‘Henrys Island’ on the right. Continuing along this path the stream opens up into a lake with beautiful views across to the Estate house on the opposite side of the lake.  Well placed seating allows you to sit and admire the views, the leaves on the Oak trees and Maple trees turning a deep yellow golden colour and many falling onto the floor forming a huge golden carpet. Under the trees are beds of Cyclamen their delicate pink and purple flowers contrasting nicely with the autumnal colours, every now and then you would come across pockets of fungi thriving in the damp moist conditions under the trees.

We followed the footpath passing ‘Kate’s Island on the right then over the wooden bridge and into the 19th century Milbank Pinetum which was established by Lady Augusta Milbank in the 1840’s. Lady Millbank obtained seeds from all across the globe but was particularly interested in North American varieties, there are some huge ancient trees in this area . We passed ‘Angels walk’ on the left before arriving at the ‘Eagles Nest’ and Bird of Prey centre. It was lovely to see lots of young families having picnics on the lawned grass amongst the beautiful trees. We continued our walk following the trail along the ‘Red Wood Avenue’ to the ‘Catherine Parr Oak’ where we had another rest for a few minutes. This huge oak tree is said to have been planted by Catherine Parr, Henry V111’s sixth and final wife. Prior to marrying Henry V111 she was married to John, the 3rd Lord Latimer of Snape. The Snape Castle estate adjoins Thorpe Perrow so although there is nothing to confirm the claim it is still quite feasible as Thorpe Perrow is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and many of the woodland trees are dated from the 16th and 17th centuries. From the ‘Catherine Parr Oak’ we followed the trail walking alongside a smaller lake which brought us out at the large Acorn stone structure which had been commissioned by Lady Ropner to mark Sir John's 70th birthday. From the giant acorn we admired the Pampas Grasses and shrubs that were surrounding the structure along with the colourful borders before we doubled back on ourselves following the ‘Lime Avenue’ until we reached ‘The Bothy’, here we walked along the ‘Cypress Avenue’ to the stone gazebo built as a memorial to Sir Lionel Ropner., from here it was just a short walk back to the café and visitors centre. Needless to say that as we were sat enjoying the delights of the café the sun eventually broke through the cloudy sky highlighting the beautiful colours of the trees in all their Autumn finery. A lovely day out.