Continuing with the work started at Brampton Bryan Park, I’ve been photographing the ancient trees in the parkland and woodland at the National Trust’s Croft Castle in Herefordshire. These images are the results of the early visits made during December 2023. I still have a number of films from this location that require processing, so this gallery with grow in the next few months.

Croft Castle is said to be one of the best ancient tree locations in Britain.  The Quarry Oak is a magnificent 1,000 year old oak that may be the star attraction, but Croft has so much more to offer.  The famous sweet chestnut avenue, which is thought to date from 1580 to 1680 and is linked to the Spanish Armada.

The Chestnuts are slowly dying from Phytophthora cinnamomic, also known as cinnamon fungus, a soil-borne water mould that produces an infection which causes “dieback”. However, Croft isn’t all about Sweet Chestnuts, there are some fine Pedunculate and Sessile Oaks, Hazel, Hornbeam, Hawthorn Beech and a very interesting Common Lime that has been uprooted in a storm but continues to soldier on and thrive.

Some notable trees are Sir William Croft’s Oak, The Quarry Oak and the amazing looking Candelabra Oak.