Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue
Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue, Whitwell Road, Empingham, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8PX
The Yew avenue at Clipsham was originally the carriage drive to a stately home (Clipsham Hall) hence its length and its avenue-ness. It's one of those places that you want to run up and down at first sight saying to yourself (or out loud!) "look at that one, oh look at this one". Don't run about too much though because the size of this site will exhaust you in no time. Some of the specimens respresent animals or birds, some are geometric shapes, some look like windmills or other curiosities and others have reliefs carved into them to represent such historical milestones as the Queen's 50th year of reigning.
Clipsham from the entrance
The site is looked after by the Forestry Commission who work the nearby forests. The topiary are a labour of love, particulalry as there is no entrance charge to see them. If like me you see the forestry staff eating their sandwiches and watching as I dash about taking photgraphs with "here's another idiot" look on their faces, don't be at all surprised!
Different forms
Animals in relief
God Save the Queen
I think I'll let the photographs speak for themselves.
Yew can run and you can hide
New technology or old?
Different heights due to previous damage
Shapes being formed on the tops of the mounds
Topiary isn't always one colour green
Watch out for Rabbits!
All photographs by Anthony Blagg.
