Avenues & allées

Biddulph Grange, Staffordshire

The cedars in the Wellingtonia Avenue at Biddulph Grange were actually felled in 1995 to make room for a new planting of alternating cedar and wellingtonia, as in the original plans of creator James Bateman.

© NTPL / Ian Shaw

In the years to come, the cedars will be removed to allow the wellingtonias to assume their rightful dominance.

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

At almost two miles long, the stately Lime Avenue at Clumber Park is the longest such avenue in Europe. Planted in the 1830s by Henry Pelham-Clinton, the 4th Duke of Newcastle, it consists of 1,296 trees in a double row on either side of the drive.

© NTPL / Andrew Butler

The black grease bands encircling each trunk were applied in 1906 to trap winter moths whose caterpillars were ravaging the foliage.

Gibside, Newcastle upon Tyne

The Long Walk, a grand half mile long avenue at Gibside, was planted in 1746 by owner George Bowes and originally used elm trees but is now lined with double rows of turkey oaks.

© NTPL / Nick Meers

Its focal point is the Palladian Chapel at the southern end, which was commissioned by Bowes as he lay dying, in order to fulfil his desire to be buried in style.

Mottisfont Abbey, Hampshire

Designed by Geoffrey Jellicoe and planted in 1938, the Lime Walk is pollarded each winter.

© National Trust / Raymond Woodham

Its twisted branches form a stark display against the blue sky, brightened every spring by this glorious living carpet of lilac chionodoxa.

Saltram, Devon

The Lime Avenue at Saltram was planted by Albert Edmund Parker, the 3rd Earl of Morley, in 1880 and is an impressive 237m (711ft) long.

© NTPL / Nick Meers

Beneath its shady roof, there is always something to marvel at, from a medley of primroses and daffodils in spring, followed by swathes of bluebells, wild garlic and martagon lilies to the pink carpets of cyclamen hederfolium which flower until November.

Sunnycroft, Shropshire

At Sunnycroft in the town of Wellington, the umber trunks of the aptly chosen Wellingtonia Avenue tower 39m (130ft) above the curving path for 120m (360ft).

© NTPL / Clive Boursnell

The 28 Sequioadendron giganteum were planted in about 1897 by the property’s second owner Mary Slaney. Glowing bright orange in the early morning and evening light, they combine beauty with drama.

Words: Kirsty Maclean