 |
Wallington in the heart of Northumberland is a magnificent
mansion house dating back to the late 17th Century. As
well as being important for our agricultural heritage Wallington is also home
to some very special wildlife. | | Wallington
- country house and wildlife haven. |
Set
in over 800 acres of parkland this great estate was once on an important drovers'
route.
Drovers were responsible for the long distance driving of
animals to market, accompanying their livestock either on foot or on horseback,
travelling vast distances right across Britain. Today Wallington boasts
four of Britain's most popular native species - Red Squirrels, Otters, Water Voles
and the Native White Crayfish. Red Squirrels  A
visit to Wallington almost guarantees a sighting of the native Red Squirrel.
Like
all Red Squirrels across the UK, the animals at Wallington are also under threat.
Unfortunately two invading armies of Grey Squirrels, one from the north
from Scotland and one from the south are gradually getting closer and closer.
The greys carry a squirrel pox which is a little like a cold virus which
doesn't harm the greys but is lethal to the reds. As a result it's important
for conservationists to keep a very close eye on the Red Squirrels on the estate.
Victorian plant emporium  Wallington
also has a long history with horticulture - and today it boasts some stunning
gardens.
The then owner of the estate, Sir Walter Calverley Trevelyan, used
to fill the greenhouses at Wallington full of rare plant specimens from all corners
of the globe. And what's more, instead of eating vegetables, Sir Walter
preferred wild plants such as sorrel, nettles and edible fungi which he ate for
breakfast during the Autumn months. Today's visitors can still head out
for a bit of a fungi foray. The original formality of Sir Walter Blackett's
18th Century landscape, influenced by 'Capability' Brown, who went to school in
the estate village, underpins the present surroundings. There are walks
through a variety of lawns, shrubberies, lakes and woodland, enlivened with buildings,
sculpture, water features and a wildlife hide. The beautiful walled garden
has varied collections of plants and a well-stocked conservatory. Longer
estate walks take in wooded valleys and high moorland, including land around the
recently reacquired Folly at Rothley Castle. | 
