The Yew trees of Newlands Corner are an absolute treat to discover. So many visitors just head for the views over the surrounding countryside without turning around and exploring the area behind the Visitor Centre. They are missing something very special!
The Yews here are amongst the oldest in Europe. To help protect them from root compaction, board walks have been created to allow visitors to wander amongst them, enjoy the tranquillity and imagine what the area might have been like all those centuries ago when they were just saplings.
Information boards have been set up with QR codes leading to additional information so it is very easy to learn more about this wonderful woodland. There is even a website called "The Yew Tree Project" to help you in your investigations.
We visited the Yew trees on our first walk of this years Walkfest but on day two, we had the official launch at QE Park Baptist Church & Centre, followed by a walk around Whitmoor Common.
Getting to the common requires a walk through the QE Park itself so it was a lovely piece of symmetry to come across a sculpture which can best be described as a "Ewe tree". Quirky, unexpected and great fun, this proved too big a temptation for the Chairman of Walkfest (Chris Howard) who is pictured with it here.
I've no idea of the history of the piece but I'm sure that one of our readers will be able to enlighten me by emailing to me HERE
So now the only thing missing is You. - and that's easily fixed. Check out the Walks 2024 programme and join one of our future walks. Who knows what we may come across!
Comments