Norfolk
Kimberley Park
Since the early Middle Ages, Kimberley has been in occupation as a manorial site and deer park. The ‘hill’ at Downham upon which the present house stands, overlooking the river Tiffey, was originally the site of Downham Hall. It is recorded that this was sold in 1640 by Richard Buxton and that the present house was built in 1712 for Sir John Wodehouse (an ancestor of PG Wodehouse) by William Talman.
The substantial park, with its picturesque lake and walled gardens, was laid out in 1762 by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, and has been described as the finest by this landscaper in Norfolk. The extensive woodland is home to some magnificent oak trees, one of which has been dated back to ca. 1373. Its collection of ancient oaks is the finest in Norfolk and of national significance.
Iona's Oak
Species: Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak)
Estimated Age (in 2025): 569 years.
Form: Maiden.
Girth at 1.5m: 7.13m (measured in October 2019)
Estimated Year of Birth: 1456
Reigning Monarch at the time: Henry VI.
Story: we had the pleasure of gathering acorns with the owner of Kimberley Hall and named the oak after her.
Approximate sizes available (get in touch for prices):
125-175cm, 7 Litre pots (1 available)
175-275cm, 15L (10 available)
200-300cm, 20L (3 available)
Oakling ages: 6-year-olds (seed gathered in 2019).
ID code: BP 1666.