Whipsnade Tree Cathedral - Whipsnade, Bedfordshire, UK
Posted by: 
Dragontree
N 51° 51.201 W 000° 32.274
30U E 669563 N 5747593
This large arboretum is planted as a medieval cathedral.
Waymark Code: WM63ZE
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/29/2009
Views: 7
The Tree Cathedral belongs to The National Trust who describe it as follows:
'Trees, hedges and shrubs planted in the form of a medieval cathedral
* Created following the First World War in 'Faith, hope and reconciliation'
* Covers a tranquil 3.82 hectares (9½ acres)
* Contains many tree species
* Grass avenues form chancel, nave, transepts, chapels and cloisters
Points to note The property is owned by the NT and administered by the Trustees of Whipsnade Tree Cathedral Fund. No WC, nearest at Dunstable Downs 1½ml, not always open'
There are various information boards around the site. The concept was an idea from Edmund Kell Blyth and was planted in the 1930s. He planted the trees himself over a 9 year period with one other man, Albert Bransom, in memory of those he knew who fell in the Great War.
Trees which are used include a Porch of Oaks, a Nave of Limes, a Chancel of Silver Birch with Yew hedging and the north and south Transepts of Tulip trees and Chestnuts. The individual Chapels are formed with various seasonal trees and are appropriately named. There is Cherry blossom in the Easter Chapel, Norway Spruce in the Christmas Chapel, Whitebeam and Rowan in the Summer Chapel and Beech and Field Maple in the Autumn Circle. Gospel Oak, Deodar Cedar, Atlantic Cedar are also used. The towers are created with Birch, Scots Pine, Beech and Holly with an avenue of Ash. Flowering shrubs, Cypresses and a Dew Pond are also included with many wildlife areas.
The site is used for wedding blessings and has been owned by The National Trust since 1960.
Arboretum address:
Trustees c/o Chapel Farm
Whipsnade
Dunstable, Bedfordshire United Kingdom
LU6 2LL
Arboretum web site: [Web Link]
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