Autumn stroll in Marks Hall gardens and Arboretum
Marks Hall Arboretum and walled gardens are well worth a visit at any time of the year. We had visited at least twice this year already as they had 230 or so sculptures arranged around the site and it took us two visits to see them all. Plus it's just a great place to wander. Complete with great cafe - what's not to like!
In 1163 the manor house and estate of Markshall were granted to the Markshall family after being confiscated from Hugh de Essex. It descended in the Markshall family until the estate was sold to John Cole, who renovated parts of the house. It was then sold to Edward Deraugh in 1581. In 1605 Robert Honywood purchased Marks Hall from Deraugh's grandson, William, pulled down part of the old timber-framed house and built a new brick building in 1609.
Decades passed, until Thomas Phillips Price (1844-1932), a Welsh landowner, mine owner, and Liberal politician, purchased Marks Hall, then a mansion and deer park, at auction in 1898. He made provision in his Will to leave the Marks Hall estate to the nation in the interest of agriculture, arboriculture and forestry. During the Second World War, Earls Colne Airfield was built on the edge of the deer park and much of the property requisitioned for used as the headquarters for a number of local airfields. The 97th Bombardment Wing headquarters was initially located at the manor. By 1949, the mansion was neglected and said to be in a dangerous state, and was demolished in 1950.
So, what we have left today, is a great venue for weddings, and a beautiful Arboretum and gardens.
Autumn colours - well slightly!
Looking across one of the lakes (full of carp) toward the walled gardens. As you can see the autumn colours have not yet taken hold.
Pampas grass in all its glory. Very popular in the 70`s but appears to have fallen out of favour since
Autumn crocus (naked Lady)
Shaggy Parasol
Shaggy Inkcap (Coprinus comatus)
Mosaic Puffball
Just a few of the fungi in the Arboretum. There were others which I didn't get very good images of, and still others which looked a bit `worse for wear`.
Kniphofia - Colourful and exotic-looking, red-hot pokers flower over many months and make spectacular garden plants. They do well in coastal gardens and can be very long-lived. They were dotted in unexpected places around the gardens and wooded areas.
Operation Varsity, the Allied airborne assault over the Rhine River at Wesel, Germany was the largest single lift of airborne forces ever undertaken. A daring collaboration between British and American Airborne Divisions it played a vital role in the final assault on Germany. Their contribution towards the invasion of Germany was to capture and hold the town of Hamminkeln, along with 3 vital bridges over the River Issel.
Marks Hall was the headquarters of the RAF’s 296 and 297 Squadrons, who were based at nearby Earls Colne Airfield and took part in the assault. Early on March 24th 1945, Horsa gliders carrying troops were towed into action.
The casualties were devastating due to the concentrated anti-aircraft defences and the drift of smoke screen laid to cover the land offensive nearby. Many of the gliders failed to reach their allocated landing zones. The Glider Pilot Regiment had 98 pilots killed and 77 wounded during the operation.
In remembrance, Marks Hall Estate created a memorial site within the Arboretum, which includes an obelisk and 1/10 scale replica of the runway layout of the old airfield. This provides a fitting focal point for the annual remembrance service, a poignant occasion for the survivors, their families and all who attend.
A couple of the plaques on the side of the memorial.
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