The Orchard

Within the Castle grounds there are many varieties of trees. Some are extremely old and stand mightily above the Castle grounds to form a canopy above the Castle itself.

There are sycamore and ash trees and and a large American redwood, plus many types of holly and other  ornamental trees. On the way to the small orchard which nestles away at the higher end of the Regency Garden you will pass an impressive young example of  a Foxglove Tree (Paulownia tomentosa), also known as the Empress Tree or Princess Tree,  a fast-growing deciduous tree native to central and western China. It is admired for its stunning flowers and interesting foliage, as it boasts large, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pale violet to lavender with yellow markings inside. They resemble foxglove flowers, hence the name. The blooms appear in spring before the leaves emerge. Not to be outdone the leaves are full of impact being heart-shaped and large, often up to 30 cm wide, with a soft, velvety texture.

If you are looking for a quiet place to sit and reflect – the Castle’s Orchard is just the place to find tranquility.