Houghall College Arboretum & Durham University Botanic Garden
Saturday 10th October 2026
Houghall College
East Durham College, Houghall Campus, A177, Durham DH1 3SG
Time: 10.00 (meeting outside the Small Animal Care Centre)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PkQsFGa638CmSE9P7
Houghall College, Durham has one of the best college collections of trees in the North of England, with more than 90 County champion and 12 national Champion Trees. The largest tree is referred to as ‘Cromwell’s tree’ a ‘Sycamore’ which was measured by the late Alan Mitchell in the 1980’s, said to be one of the oldest in the country.
The avenue of Copper Beech was planted either side of the main entrance in 1938 when Durham Agricultural College was first opened, and the Coronation Oak, planted to commemorate the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Many of the trees that now form the greater part of the college collection were planted in 1960 and 1973 by the former Head of Horticulture Jack Cox. This was followed by further additions to the collection, in the 1980’s with donations of wild origin taxa from The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Edinburgh, Durham and Liverpool University Botanic Gardens and from the private Northumberland collections of the Viscount Ridley of Blagdon and Lord Howick.
Since 1984 the college has held a plant Heritage Collection of what were then referred to as Sorbus sections Aria (whitebeams) and Micromeles, which have now been completely reclassified into several new genera.
Arriving by Car: Turn off A1M Junction 61 Bowburn interchange and follow A177 through Bowburn village heading for Durham City. Left turning into college opposite University Sports complex.
Durham University Botanic Garden
South Rd, Durham DH1 3TB
Time: 14.00 (meeting outside the café)
The Botanic Garden was first developed in 1925, to support the university's botany department. It moved to its present 10-ha site of mature woodland at Hollingside Lane in 1970, where collections of plants, including an arboretum, glasshouses, tropical plants, woodland wildflower meadows and ornamental gardens and statues. A Visitor Centre was opened in 1988 by the University Chancellor Dame Margot Fonteyn.
The garden is used for education, and research by university staff, students, schools and the wider public, concentrating on conservation. The Garden has over 80 thousand visitors annually and a thriving 'Friends of the Garden' that organise meetings and events through the year.
Cost: Members £10, Guests £15, cash on the day please or by prior bank transfer.
RSVP: Jason Daff via email: [email protected]
All members, guests and students are welcome to join this visit, please get in touch if you are interested in arranging car sharing opportunities.
