More to Discover This April: Hops, Bluebells and a New Nature Trail
There’s lots to see this spring as you head past the Dutch Barn and head towards our woodlands.
Growing Heritage Hops
In January 2024 our estate team built a support structure near the Dutch Barn so that we could plant heritage hops. Although Kent is the most famous English county for hops growing, wild hops are a common sight in the Chilterns, thriving in hedgerows, on trees, and along riverbanks.
The hops at the Museum have some great names including Fuggle, Cascade, Hersbrucker, Saaz and Teamaker. They are herbaceous perennials. This means they have no woody stem above ground and they regrow each year after dying back in the winter. You’ll see their bines (not vines!) growing up the string before flowering.
We’re hoping to be able to use some of the hops growing here to make our own beer. Watch out for updates on our social media pages.
The Bluebells Are Coming
We can’t wait to see the display of bluebells that carpet our woodlands in late April. As you enter the woodland walk from the Dutch Barn path, follow the arrow sign to the left and make your way through the woodland before circling round to our new willow sculpture nature trail.
Willow Sculpture Nature Trail
Find out about the wildlife that can often be found around the Museum site. Discover our trail of hand-crafted animal sculptures as you explore our woodlands. The trail starts at our reed bed, just along the path from the Dutch Barn. Follow the path down into the woods and turn right when you see the pair of Roe Deer pictured above.
Each willow sculpture represents the animals and birds that call our Museum home. The sculptures are accompanied by information boards that tell you more about the wildlife.
Our willow sculptures were made by Tina Cunningham of Ecolistic Artworks.
“Growing up on a farm I have always been fascinated and inspired by nature and making things. I worked for a number of years as a Veterinary Nurse and after a diagnosis of ME I found that drawing and creativity was wonderful medicine. This led me to go to Swindon art college as a mature student. After I completed a degree in Art and design (CCTA) Business Management ( Lampeter University) and then a PGCSE (UWIC). I have been working as an Artist for 25 years my own business is Ecolistic Artworks and I co-run an Environmental Community Arts Group, Art and Education by the Sea.
Working in willow and creating animal sculptures is something I deeply enjoy. I add the understanding of what I have learnt about animals from my life on the farm and working at the Veterinary Surgery. My work has always been about nature and sustainability and I use heritage crafts and natural materials in all my work.
I live on a small holding on the edge of a beautiful woodland in West Wales. I use materials such as Hazel, hedgerow materials and willow from my expanding willow beds to create my artworks.
I hope you enjoy these willow animal sculptures as much as I have enjoyed making them!”