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This idylic view shows a group of Giant Redwood trees planted a short walk from Cowdray House (which would be to the right, just off the picture).
These photographs cannot possibly do justice to the avenue of forty-seven Wellingtonia at Cowdray House, containing some of the biggest Sequoiadendron giganteum in England.

Unfortunately these lovely and well cared-for trees are hidden away in a private estate, however, it is open to the public on at least one day in most years. Keep an eye on the NGS/RHS web sites and be sure to take the opportunity to visit this lovely unspoilt avenue.

Time constraints prevented the measurement of all the Wellingtonia but the larger examples have been included and will certainly be gaining places in the Top Trunks page!

Cowdray House, or the grounds at least, has quite a history. The first home built here was called Coudraye House, and was surrounded by a moat. The second one was built in the early 16th century by the Earl of Southampton and was regarded as one of the finest country houses of its time. The Earl died childless in 1543 and the estate passed to his half brother Anthony Browne, who completed the building. Sadly, disaster struck in 1793 when workmen left rubbish smouldering in the north gallery. A fire took hold and the house was destroyed. The workmen had been preparing the house for the homecoming of the eighth Viscount prior to his wedding.

The ruins were saved from dereliction in 1916, and can be visited - there is a small museum in the upper storey.

Common Names and Latin Name No. Latitude and Longitude OS National Grid Elevation
(above sea-level)
Height Girth Date Measured
WGS84 OSGB36
Giant Redwood, Giant Sequoia, Wellingtonia
Sequoiadendron giganteum
1 N50.98862
W0.71811
N50.98806
W0.71659
SU 90069 21806 138ft
(42.07m)
35.5m 9.85m September 2007
2 N50.98849
W0.71807
N50.98793
W0.71655
SU 90072 21792 127ft
(38.72m)
-- 8.6m September 2007
3 N50.98930
W0.71698
N50.98874
W0.71546
SU 90147 21883 194ft
(59.15m)
42.8m 5.3m September 2007
4 N50.98964
W0.71726
N50.98908
W0.71574
SU 90127 21920 174ft
(53.05m)
-- -- September 2007
5 N50.99107
W0.71629
N50.99051
W0.71477
SU 90192 22081 189ft
(57.62m)
-- -- September 2007
6 N50.99103
W0.71607
N50.99047
W0.71455
SU 90208 22077 172ft
(52.44m)
41.8m 6.2m September 2007
7 N50.99037
W0.71654
N50.98981
W0.71502
SU 90176 22003 163ft
(49.7m)
photom -- September 2007
8 N50.99024
W0.71668
N50.98968
W0.71516
SU 90166 21988 164ft
(50m)
44.1m 7.74m September 2007
9 N50.99041
W0.71650
N50.98985
W0.71498
SU 90179 22007 159ft
(48.48m)
36.2m 6.24m September 2007
10 N50.98963
W0.71718
N50.98907
W0.71566
SU 90133 21920 136ft
(41.46m)
33.45m 8.44m September 2007
11 N50.98955
W0.71736
N50.98899
W0.71584
SU 90120 21910 189ft
(57.62m)
41.2m 6.92m September 2007
Girth was measured at 1.5m from ground.

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