An idyllic forest walk should be high up on every adventurer’s list. Walking in the forest is the perfect way to improve your health and explore England’s most beautiful habitats, whether you want to forest bathe like the Japanese, play out your very own Middle Earth expedition, or feel like Robin Hood wandering amongst the shady groves, we’ve got you covered. Woodlands are also some of the best places to spot wildlife, from large mammals such as deer, to some of the smaller inhabitants such as bats, dormice, butterflies and red squirrels. Remember to bring your camera along and share your snaps on social media with the hashtag #YHANatureChallenge for a chance to be featured by YHA.
We’re talking all about the most famous, strangest and unique trees that make up England and Wales. We’ve listed the most iconic trees, from astonishing oaks to stand-out sycamores – here are the top famous trees in England and Wales.
Bowthorpe Oak
A mighty beast, the Bowthorpe Oak, in the heart of Lincolnshire is the grandest British Oak Tree in Europe. Over 1,000 years old, its trunk spreads more than a whopping 40ft in width. Today, Bowthorpe Oak serves many purposes; wildlife can take shelter, and humans have been known to throw the occasional shindig within the walls of the warped trunk. The nature lovers also come to Bowthorpe Farm just to visit the this famous tree, to admire its immense size and imagine all that it has seen throughout history. The tree is now fenced off to protect it from root impaction so that many generations to some will still be able to visit and bask in the glory of this arboreal giant.
Major Oak
Sherwood is home to an ancient royal forest in Nottinghamshire, England, having a historic association with the legend of Robin Hood. The area has been wooded since the end of the Last Glacial Period, and The antique trees of Sherwood Forest have eras of tales to tell, but the Major Oak, an ageing giant, said to have been a hideaway to Robin Hood and his gang of merry men, is a tree that is known worldwide. With thousands of nature lovers visiting each year, it’s no surprise that this 1000-year-old oak tree situated in the heart of Nottinghamshire, has won the popular vote for England’s Tree of the Year in 2014.
Another exciting tidbit about this forests history has recently been rediscovered. Thynghowe was an important Danelaw meeting place where people came to resolve disputes and settle issues. Unfortunately, it was lost to history until its rediscovery in 2005–06 by local history enthusiasts amidst the old oaks of an area known as the Birklands. Experts believe it may also yield clues about the boundary of the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria. English Heritage inspected the site, confirming that it was known as ‘Thynghowe’ in 1334 and 1609.
Sycamore Gap
The Sycamore Gap was the most photographed tree in England and Wales. It stood singular in a dramatic dip in Hadrian’s Wall path in the Northumberland National Park. In 2016, this maturing giant tree took the crown for English Tree of the Year in the Woodland Trust’s awards. Fun fact: This famous tree was also known as the ‘Robin Hood’ tree following its appearance in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Unfortunately, just a stump is now left but the Sycamore Gap tree is regenerating itself, delighting experts. The same ranger who found the tree chopped down last September recently made a much happier discovery – 8 new shoots sprouting from the stump!
Llangernyw Yew
The Llangernyw Yew is a prehistoric Yew tree which was planted in the St Dygain’s Church yard in Conwy, Wales. The Yew was planted sometime in the prehistoric Bronze Age and is around 4,000 years old – it’s still growing! According to local tradition, the church is inhabited by an ancient spirit known as Angelystor (the “Recording Angel” or “Evangelist” in Welsh). This tradition holds that every year at Halloween a booming voice foretells the names of parishioners who will die the following year. Folklore tells of a disbelieving local, Siôn Ap Rhobert, who challenged the existence of the spirit one Halloween night only to hear his own name called out, followed by his death within the year. It’s up to you whether or not you believe, but we’d err on the side of caution!
The Flower of Kent tree
In 1687, Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity was one of the most significant moments in scientific history, and this apple tree is what made it all happen. Yes, this famous tree from which an apple fell to the ground and caused Newton to ask the question: ‘Why do apples always fall straight down to the ground?’ People have been visiting the tree ever since Newton’s time. A low willow barrier has been fitted around it to protect the root and give it some ‘breathing space’.
