Heavy Horses

Monty and Dylan

On Sunday 12th August two horses from the
Working Horse Trust will be at High Beeches.

Monty aged 17 and Dylan aged 15 are half-brothers and each weighs as much as a small car.  Both are Ardennes and are roan, Monty is a red roan and Dylan a strawberry roan.  They are the most experienced pair that the Trust has and they have done everything from field work to cross-country driving.



Monty and Dylan Harrowing



The Ardennes is one of the most ancient draught breeds in the world and it is believed to be the

 founding stock for many working horse breeds. 

They first arrived in the UK with the Roman legions

 and later with the Norman invaders.



Stewartias at High Beeches



Stewarta rostrata

Stewartia rostrata seed capsules

High Beeches Garden has the National Collection of Stewartias

Stewartia (Stuartia) Theaceae are a small genus of ornamental shrubs and trees.  They require a semi-shaded position, lime free soil and are particularly suited to woodland conditions.

All have white, camellia like flowers which are produced throughout July and August

Stewartia sinensisf.

Reptiles at High Beeches

Two common lizards, Lacerta vivipara

A common Toad, Bufo bufo

The reptiles are enjoying the wet weather.  There are hundreds of frogs as well as toads, lizards and slow worms.

I have also found a glow worm, Lampyris noctiluca and hope to find more.

What is this?  A newt?

Wildflower Meadow

The Meadow just gets better and better.

Dominic Prince from Plant life and
Arthur Hoare, County Recorder for the Botanical Society of the British Isles led walks yesterday to study the wildflowers in the meadow and the garden at High Beeches.

The stage is being set for The Seed this weekend at High Beeches.  For further information go to www.goatandmonkey.co.uk

Wild Flower Meadow 2

The Wild Flower Meadow at High Beeches is looking beautiful.  A carpet of Leucanthemum vulgare (Oxeye Daisy) Ranunculus repens (Creeping Buttercup),  Rhinanthus minor agg.  (Yellow Rattle), Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common Spotted-orchid), Veronica chamaedrys (Germander Speedwell) and Listera ovata (Common Twayblade to name a few.

The Wildflower Meadow is one of the best in the South East of England.  It is completely natural, has not been ploughed in living memory and has had nothing added to it.  It is a very rare example of a hay meadow, which many people are attempting to recreate.

On Sunday 17th June a botanist from Plantlife will be at High Beeches to take guided walks.

Shadows on the Meadow 1

Following the hot weather, the finest acid wildflower meadow in the South East is just coming into flower at High Beeches.

The evening sun cast shadows.

Follow this blog to see the meadow change over the next few weeks.

A Beautiful Tree



Fagus sylvatica heterophylla Aspenifolia

This has to be one of the most beautiful trees in the UK. Planted by Col Giles Loder in the early part of the 20th century, a survivor of the storm of 1987.  Also known as 'Fern leaved Beech' or 'Cut leaved Beech' it is one of the most effective of large ornamental trees.   At this time of year its young foliage glows in the sunlight.  It is one of many rare trees that make up the collection at High Beeches.