Thorp Perrow Arboretum is an 85-acre woodland garden near Bedale in North Yorkshire, England, considered to be one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the United Kingdom.
The Arboretum was created by Colonel Sir Leonard Ropner (1895–1977). He began the Arboretum in 1931 and in July 2006 the gardens celebrated their 75th anniversary by planting the 1,750th tree. As well as the gardens founded by Leonard Ropner, Thorp Perrow also includes Milbank Pinetum planted by Lady Augusta Milbank in the nineteenth century and the 16th century Spring Wood.
Thorp Perrow is home to five National Plant Collections; Tilia (Lime), Fraxinus (Ash), Cotinus (Smoke Bush), Laburnum and Juglans (Walnut). It also boasts 66 Champion trees in its collection.
Thorp Perrow provides interest all the year round. In Winter a spectacular display of Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) and Galanthus (Snowdrops) can be seen. In the spring you can witness one of the finest and most extensive plantings of Narcissus (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 Hydrangeas, Wild flower planting and an array of plants to attract wildlife can be seen. Later in the year the Autumn provides stunning colours all over the Arboretum, but in particular the three Autumn Bays are not to be missed. 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 can be seen.
Thorp Perrow also has ornamental lakes, scenic walks and trails, a playground, a tearoom, and a popular a Birds of Prey Centre. This is one of the largest collections of birds of prey in the north of England. There are regular flying demonstrations and the Birds of Prey Centre now incorporates The Northern School of Falconry and Associated Studies, which runs a number of falconry and bird handling courses. (Wikipedia)
