AYTON CASTLE
Ayton Castle Projects
Trees
We are most grateful to The Borders Forest Trust for a grant to plant 240 trees.
Species include Norway Maple, Hazel, Wych Elm, Sessile Oak, Noble fir, Atlas Cedar and Oriental Spruce. All trees have suitable protection.
Extensive work has been undertaken to remove the many unsafe pine trees in the Walled Garden. Investigations by our Hon. Archivist, Ian Hankinson, have revealed that this area was possibly a Japanese garden, which were popular on estates in the early twentieth century. The garden once housed a large glasshouse and the foundations are still visible.
Restoration of the garden including the rockeries and ponds, along with refurbishment of the Summer House and the boundary wall are long-
It is our aim to transform the derelict potting sheds into a café, retail space and public lavatories.
In 2021 we acquired a large number of concrete animals that were situated in a garden at Branxton, Northumberland. The collection is well-
The animals were all carefully transported to Ayton where they have been in store. We are currently working on their restoration and repainting. This is a complex task as they were designed not to be moved and have always been exposed to the elements. As a result many have suffered considerable deterioration.
We hope to have a selection of animals on display after Easter 2024.
If anyone has photographs of the animals in their original setting we should love to see them. Please contact us.
