Queen's Wood Country Park

Queenswood Country Park is the only designated country park in the county of Herefordshire. A local tourist attraction located on Dinmore Hill, Herefordshire, it includes an arboretum (a 47 acre tree collection with over 1,200 rare and exotic trees from all over the world) and 123 acres of semi-natural ancient woodland which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve (LNR). The site is managed by a partnership between Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and New Leaf.

Coordinates: 52°09′27″N 2°43′28″W / 52.15740°N 2.72435°W / 52.15740; -2.72435History[1]

Queenswood is a fragment of the vast ancient oak wood that once stretched to the Welsh borders and beyond. It was held by the crown on and off throughout the ages and only changed its name from 'Kings Wood' to 'Queenswood' in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. During the 17th century Queenswood became part of the Hampton Court Estate, which still borders the country park on the opposite side of the main road. During the First World War the woods were clear-felled to provide timber for the war effort.

Arboretum[2]

The planting of the arboretum at Queenswood began in 1953 to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It was funded by an ongoing public appeal - 'The Queenswood Coronation Fund' - launched by Sir Richard Cotterell who was then chairman of the Queenswood Management Committee and Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire.

Numerous donations from the people of Herefordshire allowed Sir Richard to realise part of his vision for the site and purchase many of the rare and beautiful trees that can still be enjoyed today.

The work of the Queenswood Coronation Fund received international recognition in 1981 when the arboretum received the prestigious Dendrology Award from the International Dendrology Society in recognition of the quality of the collection of trees.

The Queenswood Coronation Fund is a perpetual fund and is now a registered charity (No. 518624) which continues to receive many donations from those who have visited and enjoyed the country park and arboretum.

References

  1. ↑ "History of Queenswood | Queenswood & Bodenham Lake Herefordshire". www.queenswoodandbodenhamlake.org. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  2. ↑ "Queenswood Arboretum | Queenswood & Bodenham Lake Herefordshire". www.queenswoodandbodenhamlake.org. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
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