Bowthorpe Oak

[westt]

Last weekend I went to Bowthorpe Park Farm near Stamford, Lincs. to see the Bowthorpe Oak – a magnificent hollow oak tree which is possibly the largest in girth (40 feet) in England. It is still very much alive with a fine crop of acorns. At the turn of the 20th century it had a door fitted into it and 20 people were supposed to have dined inside it! Does anyone know anything more about this tree's history? – estimates of its age vary from 1,000-2,000 years old. Also are there any more historic trees in East Anglia? It was worth every penny of the £2.50 fee, accessed through a barn and sitting in the centre of a paddock with chickens and geese roaming around. Magical!

[IanS]

How about:

Hethel Old Thorn

Map reference: TG 171 005 (OS Landranger 134)

Description: NWT Hethel Old Thorn lies in a tranquil setting at the edge of a tiny south Norfolk village, nestling beside the church and its peaceful churchyard. A thirteenth century hawthorn Crataegus monogyna.

Directions: NWT Hethel Old Thorn is 10km south west of Norwich. Leave Norwich on the B1113 road to New Buckenham. Turn right into Hethel and head for the church. Limited parking is available on the verge near the church.

What to look for: 700 year-old NWT Hethel Old Thorn is the oldest hawthorn on record in East Anglia.
---------------------------------
Its one of the Norfolk Widlife trusts sites (above info taken from their site)

Ian