Tatton Park

We walked into Tatton Park from Knutsford this afternoon, for a circular walk. It was cold and windy, we hadn't put on enough layers.

The Beech Avenue must be over a mile long, and was originally planted in 1739. George II was on the throne, the War of Jenkins Ear with Spain started, Handel hadn't got around to composing Messiah, and America's War of Independence was still nearly 40 years away. So many of the trees here are really ancient.

Ancient trees are really valuable for wildlife, but they are also a hazard to walk under. So the whole avenue is fenced off with wooden paling so people are safe, and the bugs and beasties are happy.

And in the very occasional sunshine, the reddening beech leaves glow.