5 Things to Spot at Nowton Park

A panda wooden sculpture has been a favourite fixture at Nowton Park since 1998 and sits in the China section of the arboretum surrounded by his favourite food, bamboo.

The Panda pictured is a brand new version of the panda and has replaced the older version now in retirement, it was carved out of Douglas fir by Luke Chapman

The Nowton Park totem pole stands almost 11m tall. It is carved from a western red cedar tree, a species traditionally used by Native Americans.

If you look closely at the very top is St Edmund and the wolf!

Nature lovers can visit the unique arboretum which is home to trees from around the world such as eucalyptus from Australia, paperbark maple from China and Kentucky coffee trees from North America.

A panda was carved in 1998 and placed in the China region along with some bamboo to add to the vision of this geographical area. There is also a dragon that was carved from a cedar tree that was growing in the park but was struck by lightning.

There are two ponds in Nowton Park - the meadow pond which is rich in aquatic life and is a draw for grass snakes as a place to bask, hunt and swim.

There is also the school pond so called because it is near the manor house which was used as a prep school after the war. This is almost an acre in size and sits mostly in the shade of mature exotic trees. It is home to moorhens, mallards and the occasional grey heron which feeds on the introduced mirror and crucian carp.

Lime avenue was planted around 1880 to give the estate a sense of grandeur. It also provided the house (then Nowton Court) with a vista to the northern boundary.

In spring over 100,000 daffodils bloom beneath the trees. These were planted in 1989, the two species planted were King Alfred and Magnificent.

Nowton Park is FREE to visit but parking charges apply. Visit Nowton Park website for more information.