Herefordshire
Kentchurch Court Park
Kentchurch Court Park is a Grade I listed country house in Herefordshire, UK, owned by the Scudamore family for centuries, featuring beautiful gardens, an extensive ancient parkland with deer and many veteran and ancient trees, and a rich history linked to figures like Owain Glyndŵr and Jack of Kent, a folkloric figure who was known to outwit the Devil.
A White Hart connecting with Benedict on Tuesday 16th September 2025 when he visited this magical estate
Benedict visited this iconic tree back in 2020 and returned in 2025; during the latter visit, his phone handset was misbehaving and so he had no GPS or map, and ended up on the wrong side of the valley, trying to locate the Jack of Kent Oak. After a trek through some high bracken, scrub and undergrowth he came across a very large herd of deer, including a single White Hart. As he settled in to the presence of the mighty oak, a single deer appeared on the brow of the hill, and lo and behold, it was the White Hart.
SYMBOLISM OF THE WHITE HART
In England the white hart (a white stag) primarily symbolizes royal authority, purity, and the mystical or sacred, especially due to its association with King Richard II and older folklore. It was the personal badge of King Richard II, likely taken from his mother Joan of Kent’s arms and used as a pun on his name (“Rich-hart”). As a royal badge it came to stand for loyalty to the crown, which is why so many English inns and taverns took the name “The White Hart” to show allegiance to the monarch. In British and Arthurian legend, a white hart is a rare, other‑worldly creature that heralds a new quest or adventure, so it symbolizes the call to seek higher goals.
In Christian symbolism it came to represent Christ on earth, associated with purity, divinity, and a holy presence, turning the white hart into a sign of blessing as well as something dangerous to harm. Heraldically, the hart itself is linked with peace, gentleness, and harmony, while its white colour emphasizes purity and separation from the ordinary. Older Celtic and folkloric strands can also give it a darker edge, as an omen that a curse may follow if the creature is killed.
Jack O' Kent's Oak
Jack of Kent Oak
Species: Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak)
Estimated Age (in 2025): 1,000+ years - this is one of the true greats of the 'Ancient British Oak' scene - considered by some to have the finest Deportment of them all. Notoriously hard to age, this must be over 1,000 years old, and perhaps more. This is one of the trees long-since known by it's name 'The Jack of Kent Oak'.
Form: natural Pollard.
Girth at 1.5m: 12.37m (measured in September 2025)
Estimated Year of Birth: Around 1,000 AD??
Reigning Monarch at the time: Sven Forkbeard (reigned 1013-1014) - as we have no real idea when this oak was born, we will play along with the notion that perhaps she sprouted her first leaves in the reign of King Forkbeard (who I'd never heard of until writing this piece)!
Story: Benedict visited this iconic tree back in 2020 and returned in 2025; during the latter visit, he was visited by a White Hart - see above. Jack of Kent has mythical status in this part of the world -
Approximate sizes available (get in touch for prices):
125-175cm tall, 7 Litre pots (5 available, 3 RESERVED)
150-250cm tall, 15L (1 available)
Oakling ages: 5-year-olds (seed gathered in 2020).
Next batch available 2026/2027 (plenty of seed gathered in 2025).
ID code: BP 1695 & (BP 1912 acorns).