BAGSHOT PARK 49 



The principal approach to the mansion from the village 

 is by a long curving carriage-drive. Part of it is through an 

 interesting avenue of Horse-Chestnuts, pink and white. The 

 trees are planted in alternate pairs opposite each other. This 

 pretty avenue was planted by Their Royal Highnesses the 

 Duke and Duchess on the first anniversary of their wedding, 

 March 13, 1880. At one end is a common Horse-Chest- 

 nut planted by the Earl of Beaconsfield. Farther on by the 

 roadside are two Wellingtonia giganteas planted in April 

 1880 by the late King Edward and Queen Alexandra, then 

 Prince and Princess of Wales. Another was planted at the 

 same time by the late Duke of Albany when Prince Leopold. 

 Some very fine Cornish Elms nearly 90 feet high are near by, 

 and three magnificent Cedars planted close together are inter- 

 esting, for they have grown so evenly as to look like one tree 

 at a little distance. They are now quite 90 feet high and 

 have developed into a noble trio. Red American Maples, 

 (Acer colchicum rubrum) are grand specimens 60 feet in 

 height, and a little way from here are beds of Andromeda 

 floribunda (Lily of the Valley shrub), which often have 

 masses of fragrant white blossom from February to May. 

 Pink Ribes and Erica Mediterranea hybrida also make a 

 charming bed of soft and harmonious colouring in spring- 

 time. 



Through the entrance gates from the Sunningdale road a 

 drive sweeps round to join the main carriage-road. It passes- 

 between semicircular bays of gigantic Rhododendrons with 

 specimens of large size standing out singly on the grass by 

 the roadside. Bagshot has for generations past been famous 

 for its noble trees and lovely shrubs, and when the latter are 

 in bloom the picture presented is a glorious one. Hardy 

 Azaleas perhaps in particular are superb, and unless they have 

 been seen as they grow here, where they succeed so well, it is 

 scarcely possible to form even a vague idea of the brilliant 

 colours they are capable of developing. 



G 



