Gardens merit heritage status
THE Castlewellan National Arboretum and the Annesley Gardens are of national importance and should be of heritage garden status.
They contain 42 champion trees and 20 of the oldest specimen trees in the British Isles.
The Annesley Gardens date from 1742 and contain many rare plants from all over the world.
The herbaceous borders were some of the best I have visited and many garden tours of Ireland have had these gardens on their itinerary.
The glass houses are now probably beyond repair and the borders are being choked with weeds.
Some of the rare shrubs are deteriorating as they are not being cared for by horticultural experts.
There used to be a map on the notice board at the entrance marking the special plants to be seen each month.
In the Republic of Ireland, many large estate gardens have been restored and attract many tourists.
It is sad that existing tourist attractions here are allowed to deteriorate.
Castlewellan Forest Park is also home of the peace maze, the longest hedge maze in Europe, but one could be in the car park and unaware of its existence, a few yards away.
I was assured nearly two years ago by the then minister of agriculture that signage to the Maze would soon be in place, but nothing has happened yet.
Visitors to the forest park must generate quite a large income towards the upkeep.
Our larger forest parks all charge for parking whereas country parks run by a different government department allow free entry.
Margaret Marshall
Belfast
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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