Thorp Perrow Arboretum

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United Kingdom - North Yorkshire - Bedale

Institution Code: PERRO

BGCI Member: Yes

About the Thorp Perrow Arboretum

Thorp Perrow Arboretum is one of the finest private collections of trees and shrubs in the country. This 85 acre arboretum is unique to Britain, if not Europe, in that it was the creation of one man, Colonel Sir Leonard Ropner (1895 - 1977) and is now owned and managed by Sir John Ropner.

Situated in the Yorkshire Dales, not far from the historic town of Bedale, Thorp Perrow is an exciting place to explore offering something for everyone, and is home to some of the largest and rarest trees and shrubs in England. There are tree trails, a nature trail and a children's trail, a large lake, picnic area and children's play area. The Arboretum also embraces the Milbank Pinetum planted by Lady Augusta Milbank in the mid-nineteenth century, and the medieval Spring Wood dates back to the 16th century.

Thorp Perrow provides interest all the year round. In the spring you can witness one of the finest and most extensive plantings of daffodils in the north of England, including some old and unusual varieties. This is followed by many of the trees covered in blossom, carpets of bluebells and bold drifts of wild flowers. Midsummer brings evenings theatre events, children's trail throughout August and newly planted hydrangeas will be in their full glory. Later in the year the autumn provides stunning colours. The grass paths through the Arboretum are mown regularly, but other areas are mown once a year to provide an ideal habitat for the many wild flowers, fungi and insects that you can see.

Main Address:
Thorp Perrow Arboretum
Thorp Perrow
Bedale
North Yorkshire DL8 2PR United Kingdom

Telephone: 01677 425323
Fax: 01677 425323
URL: www.thorpperrow.com
Primary Email: curator@thorpperrow.com

Staff Details

  • Director's Name: Sir John Ropner
    Curator's Name: Faith Douglas
    Plant Records Officer's Name: Faith Douglas
  • Total Staff:
    Horticultural Staff Number: 3
    Educational Staff Number: 2
    Research Staff Number: 1
    Administration Staff Number: 1

About the Garden

  • Institution Type: Private Collection
  • Status
  • Status: Private: Yes
  • Date founded: 1931
  • Physical Data
  • Total Area: 34 Hectares
    Latitude: 54.263133
    Longitude: -1.605091
    Altitude: 0.00 Metres

Features and Facilities

  • Arboretum: Yes
  • Published Plant Catalogue: Yes
    Computer Plant Record System: Yes
  • Open to public: Yes
    Retail Outlet: Shop: Yes
    Retail Outlet: Plant Sales: Yes
    Disabled access: Yes
  • Number of Visitors: 55000
    Number of Volunteers: 18

Plant Collections

  • Cultivation Taxa Num: 1744
  • Special Collections:Juglans, Quercus, Fraxinus, Tilia, Cotinus.

Conservation Programmes

Research Programmes

  • Education: Yes

Education Programmes

  • Visitor/Education Centre: Yes
    Education Signs in Garden: Yes
    Public Lectures/Talks: Yes
    Education Booklets/Leaflets: Yes
    Guided Tours: Yes
    Courses for General Public: Yes
    Education Programme: Yes