National Trust will chop down trees at filming location site

Stourhead Gardens in Wiltshire <i>(Image: Tom Meaker)</i>
Stourhead Gardens in Wiltshire (Image: Tom Meaker)
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The National Trust has been given the go-ahead to cut down trees at a stately home that provided a backdrop to a famous movie scene.

The Trust wants to fell a group of ash trees near an Obelisk that forms part of the Stourhead estate, near Warminster, because they are suffering from the fungal disease ash dieback.

The charity also wants permission to fell two birch trees, and a small beech tree which has been badly damaged by squirrels.

Significantly, it wants to "reclaim the historic view" along Fir Walk Avenue to the Obelisk by cutting back trees.

Meanwhile, pollarding is proposed on a large tulip tree near Rock Arch.

Thought to be one of the original introductions into the country, planted by Richard Colt Hoare of Stourhead, the crown of the tree will be "carefully reduced" to prevent branches falling on visitors.

A large crowned lime tree on path leading to Temple of Flora is due to be braced after the trunk was found to be splitting.


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And three trees - a beech, a yew, and an oak will be cut back to stop them rubbing against masonry or roof tiles, or where they are impeding access.

As the trees are in a conservation area, the Trust had to first seek the permission of Wiltshire Council, which this week said it had no objection to the proposals.

Stourhead is Wiltshire's third most-visited tourist attraction, behind Stonehenge and Longleat and ahead of Salisbury Cathedral.

Around 400,000 people a year enjoy the 30 acres of grounds with 90,000 trees.

It has been used several times as a filming location, mainly for period dramas, including the 2005 movie version of Pride and Prejudice.

The famous rain-soaked proposal scene between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy was shot at the Temple of Apollo in Stourhead’s landscape garden.

And in 2021 BBC drama The Pursuit of Love, Stourhead House interiors were used as Linda Radlett’s Paris apartment, with rooms including the Column Room and Italian Room dressed for filming.

On Sunday (July 5) Jane Austen fans will get the chance to watch Pride & Prejudice on the South Lawn of Stourhead House - just a short walk from where the iconic proposal scene was filmed.

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