Get up close and personal with Duncombe Park’s oldest residents on a free guided walk at 2pm on Saturday 14 May 2011.

The Medieval Deer Park that surrounds the stately home contains some spectacular ancient trees, some of which are more than half a millennia old.

Former Forestry Commission Wildlife Officer, Brian Walker, will lead the walk and explain what is being done to ensure the future survival of these remarkable trees.

The walk will take in parts of the Duncombe Estate which do not usually have public access and is being organised as part of series of ‘hidden gem’ walks and talks by the Lime & Ice Project.

The Project was awarded just under £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in 2008 to deliver new access, interpretation and conservation initiatives in the southwest corner of the North York Moors National Park and the northern part of the Howardian Hills AONB.

Famed for its heather moorland, the North York Moors National Park also has one of the largest concentrations of veteran and ancient trees in northern England. Many of these trees can be found at Duncombe Park, which became a National Nature Reserve in 1994.

Jennifer Smith, Lime & Ice Project Officer, said: “These wise old veterans are all that remain of the ‘wild wood’ that would have covered much of the country in the 16th century.”

Places on the walk are limited so people should pre-book by calling 01439 772738.

Duncombe Estate

The gardens and parkland of Duncombe Estate will be open from Wednesday 1st June 2011 to Monday 29th August 2011. The house however will remain closed to the public.

Duncombe Park is in Helmsley, around 20 miles from the A1/A1(M), between Thirsk and Pickering on the A170.