Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Bank holiday postcard: Winkworth Arboretum
In search of bluebells, as is my wont at this time of year, I ventured down to the verdant slopes of southwest Surrey for my bank holiday fix. Winkworth Arboretum lies two miles south of Godalming, none too friendly to reach on foot but I've never let that stop me. The extensive grounds, now owned by the National Trust, were planted by top dermatologist Dr Wilfrid Fox in the 1930s. His passion was trees, and he proceeded to cover the slopes with species that would look particularly stunning in autumn. Later he diversified into spring, and the current outcome is a palette of greens and the occasional red encircling the slopes around a central pool. There are some very steep slopes, the finest of these presently bordered by a riot of azaleas, not that the gradient seemed to put off some of yesterday's more resilient elderly visitors. The place was more popular with young Surrey families, as parents encouraged Milo and Freya to stay on the footpaths, and Inge and Hannibal to sit nicely in the bluebells while Daddy took their photo. Because blimey yes, the place was covered with bluebells, almost wherever you chose to walk. Initially they had a photogenic charm, and my camera spent more time out of my pocket than in. But eventually I become immune to the novelty, and by the end of ninety minutes wandering amongst them they became almost commonplace. If you've not had your annual bluebell fix yet, best get a move on. [5 photos]
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