Whipsnade Tree Cathedral facts for kids
The Whipsnade Tree Cathedral is a special garden in the village of Whipsnade in Bedfordshire, England. It covers about 9.5 acres, which is roughly the size of seven football fields! This unique garden is shaped like a cathedral, but instead of stone walls, it has "walls" made from different kinds of trees. Grassy paths act like the main aisles (called the nave), the altar area (the chancel), and the side sections (the transepts) of a real church. It even has areas like chapels and cloisters, all made from trees.
Contents
A Special Idea from the Past
The idea for the Tree Cathedral came from a man named Edmond Blyth in the 1930s. He wanted to create a place of "Faith, hope, and reconciliation" because of his memories from World War I. During the war, three of his close friends from military school were sadly killed.
In 1930, Edmond visited Liverpool Cathedral, which was still being built. As he drove home through the Cotswolds hills, he saw the evening sun light up a group of trees on a hillside. He thought this was even more beautiful than the stone cathedral. That's when he got the idea to build a cathedral using trees!
Work on the Tree Cathedral began in 1932. It was built in different stages over time. The site became a bit wild during World War II, but work started again after the war ended. The very first religious service was held there in 1953, and services are still held there today.
Looking After the Tree Cathedral
In 1960, the National Trust was given the Tree Cathedral as a gift. The National Trust is a charity that looks after important places in England. There is also a group called the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral Fund. This group is in charge of the religious services held at the site. Many different religious groups have held services there. The Tree Cathedral is also a Grade II listed site. This means it is a very important historic park and garden in England.
The Tree Cathedral has special chapels, each designed to represent one of the four seasons.
Amazing Trees at the Cathedral
The Tree Cathedral is home to many different types of trees. They are carefully placed to form the "walls" and "rooms" of the cathedral.
- Ash trees are found in the cloister walk.
- Beech trees grow in the summer chapel and the corner towers.
- There are several kinds of Cherry trees:
- Wild cherry trees are in the autumn circle.
- Flowering cherry trees are in the Easter chapel.
- Pillar cherry trees are near the dew pond.
- Different types of Cedar trees include:
- Cypress trees are also near the dew pond.
- Hornbeam trees line the south entrance avenue.
- Horse Chestnut trees are in the transepts and western approach.
- Lime trees form the nave, or main path.
- Lombardy Poplar trees are in the corner towers.
- Norway Maple trees are found along Wallsam Way.
- Norway Spruce trees are in the Christmas chapel.
- Oak trees are at the south entrance, in the nave, and there's a special Gospel Oak.
- Rowan trees grow in the summer chapel.
- Silver Birch trees are in the chancel and corner towers.
- Scots Pine trees are in the corner towers, north transept, and western approach.
- Whitebeam trees are at the south entrance and in the summer chapel.
- Willow trees are near the dew pond.
- Yew trees are in the summer chapel, Wallsam Way, and the chancel.
Other Plants You Can See
The site also has many interesting shrubs. These include Berberis, Cotoneaster, Dogwood, Flowering Currant, Holly, Hazel, Lilac, Laurustinus, Laurel, May, New Zealand Holly, Philadelphus, Privet, Rhododendron, and Wild Rose.
What's Nearby?
The village of Whipsnade has houses named after Edmond Blyth (Blythswood) and his friends Arthur Bailey and John Bennett (Bailey Cottage and Bennetts Cottage).
The Icknield Way Path runs right next to the Tree Cathedral. This path is 110 miles long! It goes from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Suffolk. The Icknield Way Trail, which is a route for walkers, horse riders, and cyclists, also passes nearby.
