There are hundreds, if not thousands of trees in Astley Park. Some comprise woodland areas, others stand separate from other trees. Most of the trees are within Great Wood which stretches along much of the southern edge of the Park. This is designated and protected as an Ancient Woodland which means it has existed since at least 1600. Other individual trees have been purposely planted to enhance the appearance of the Park. That process has occurred for hundreds of years from the time the Park comprised the private landscaped grounds of Astley Hall and continues to this day.
Picking up on a suggestion made by the judges at last years’ Britain in Bloom competition we have a developed a trail through the Park which picks out, with photographs and fascinating facts, a selection of mainly freestanding trees, covering some of the Park’s more interesting species and specimens. It also displays images of their leaves and, in some cases, their nuts, flowers and bark.
The Trail is presented Here as a self-guided walk that can be completed in about 30 minutes. There is also a short leaflet available that can be used to spot and record the trees which all have a small waymarker sign on or near them.
The trees are listed in an order that starts from near the main gates at Park Road. It then proceeds past the Sensory Garden and then back to the main path where it crosses the River Chor. The Trail then continues along the main path towards Astley Hall before continuing down the side of the bowling greens and finishing next to the nearby River Chor bridge. However, the Trail can be followed in whatever direction you wish. All 19 trees included can be seen from made paths in the Park.
Friends of Astley Park 