BEDGEBURY NATIONAL PINETUM VOTED TOP TOURIST ATTRACTION BY TUNBRIDGE WELLS RESIDENTS

Added : ( Wed Oct 29 2003 )

PRESS RELEASE

27 October 2003

BEDGEBURY PINETUM WINS RESIDENTS’ ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR 2003

The Forestry Commission’s Bedgebury National Pinetum has won Tunbridge Wells Residents’ Attraction of the year for 2003 for an attraction in the Tunbridge Wells Borough.

Bedgebury, famous for having the world's largest collection of conifers with over 7000 on one site, is situated within easy reach of Tunbridge Wells and is open all year to visitors. Every month there are opportunities to take part in exciting events ranging from dormice awareness mornings to autumn colour walks. The events programme is aimed at encouraging visitors to learn about the interesting trees and also the associated flora and fauna.

Bedgebury will be receiving the award on Wednesday 29 October 2003 at 1.30 pm. The award will be presented by Tamsin Leigh of the Tunbridge Wells Marketing and Tourism Development. Bedgebury won the award due to having the most passport vouchers redeemed against entry to the attraction this year. The passports are sent out by Tunbridge Borough Council to homes in the Tunbridge Wells Borough to encourage residents to visit participating visitor attractions.

Bedgebury’s Curator Chris Reynolds said ‘The wonderful weather we have had this year has contributed to the number of visitors and the residents' passports have promoted us very effectively. We want more people to come and see this beautiful and peaceful attraction which is signposted from the A21 on the Flimwell bypass.’

Tamsin Leigh said ‘We are delighted that Bedgebury has won the Residents' Attraction of the Year Award. Bedgebury has been a participant in the Passport for many years and we are very pleased it has gained the recognition we feel it deserves, offering visitors the chance to 'get away from it all' to a tranquil haven in the Borough.’

For more information or to request an interview/photograph please contact Caroline Edmunds on 01892 616647 or 07775 943305.

Notes to Editors
Bedgebury Pinetum is open daily and signposted from the A21 between Lamberhurst and Flimwell. (approx 10 miles from Tunbridge Wells on the B2079 to Goudhurst) and 16 miles from Hastings. Gates open from 10 until 6 every day and admission for adults is £3.50, SC £3.00 and children £1.50. A family ticket is £9 for 2 adults and up to 4 children. For more information visit www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk or contact the visitor information centre on 01580 211781.

The Pinetum was originally the pleasure gardens for what is now Bedgebury School and was developed as part of a joint venture between the Forestry Commission and Kew to save the conifers threatened by pollution in London.

Started in1925, this marvellous collection has developed into the "most comprehensively complete" collection on one site in the world, the with over 7,000 specimen trees on the 80 Hectare site. These trees represent coniferous species throughout the temperate world in all their variety of size, shape and colour.

Originally designed by William Dallimore, a notable botanist for Kew, the Pinetum enjoys historic links with Gardens both at Kew and Wakehurst.

The collection includes rare, historically important and endangered trees and is home to some 91 vulnerable or critically endangered species and five NCCPG National Collections, Yew, Juniper, and Lawson Cypress, Leyland Cypress, Thuja.

Bedgebury boasts the tallest tree in Kent, which is aptly named ‘The Old Man of Kent’.

Bedgebury is currently raising funds to complete a £3 million development programme to build a new visitor centre, lake and education centre. The Heritage Lottery Commission has donated £1 million towards the project and the Charity ‘The Friends of Bedgebury’ will be helping to raise the remainder.

Bedgebury Pinetum has a pantry serving light refreshments together with a visitor information centre and shop.

Annual membership to the Friends of Bedgebury is £18 for an individual and £30 for a family and includes entry to other gardens and arboreta in the UK. Details are on the website: www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk

Submitted by: Caroline Edmunds Add your press release for free.

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