Date/Time
Date(s) - 25/02/2023
11:00 am - 6:45 pm
Location
Coach pick outside Leicester Botanic Gardens
Depart Glebe Road (LE2 2LD) at 11.00am
As we were unable to arrange the planned trip to Cambridge Botanic Garden, we are returning to Evenley Wood Garden, last visited eight years ago and well worth another visit. We also knew that the Red Lion in Evenley would give us a good lunch. However, the cost of living crisis is hitting our plans and the increased price of their usual lunch is now beyond our budget. Therefore, we have opted for a menu with less variety for this visit. Nevertheless, we are sure the Red Lion will not let us down.
Mr Timothy Whiteley bought the 60 acres of woodland at Evenley in 1980, having discovered the specific soil condition of the area. The majority of the area was covered by common trees such as birches, oaks, ashes, spruces and hornbeams. However, the site offered great interest for horticulturists as about one third of the area is acid, in a mainly alkaline territory. After a few years spent pruning existing trees, there was room for new plants and the acid soil enabled cultivation of a wide range of Rhododendrons, Camellias and Magnolias. Later on, several paths and rides were developed and large numbers of bulbs and shrubs planted.
There are more than 80 different varieties of snowdrops, approximately 120 varieties of lilies and about 300 roses. To make the woodland area more attractive, thousands of Silla siberica bulbs were planted to get an impressive 800m blue stream running across whole woodland garden. The other parts of the garden offer a chance to see violet carpets made by Crocus tommasinianus. The garden has possibly the largest collection of Euonymus in Europe. There are also plants such as oak ‘Evenley Gold’, a field maple called ‘Evenley Red’ or lily ‘Evenley Jane’ which have been developed and propagated in the garden.
Prior to our visit to the garden we have arranged a light lunch at the Red Lion, Evenley.
11.00 am Depart Glebe Road
12.45 pm Arrive at the Red Lion for lunch
2.00 pm Arrive at Evenley Wood for a tour of the garden
4.30 pm Depart Evenley Wood
Cost : Friends £45.00 Guests £47.00 (Includes lunch, entrance and tour at Evenly Wood)
Please return the booking form by Wednesday 15th February 2023
As numbers are limited to 35 for this trip, please book early to avoid disappointment. Friends will have priority so it may be necessary to limit the number of guests.
For further information contact Elizabeth on 01162705711
If it’s necessary to make contact on the day of a visit:
Fliss 07788644887 or Deb 07721855285