Photographer, Peter Lau, takes us around another of his favourite accessible strolls.

The Yorkshire Arboretum is located within the vast grounds of the grand Castle Howard estate in North Yorkshire. Covering 120 acres, it’s home to over 7,000 different species of tree, including some quite rare examples. In fact, the arboretum can be traced back to the 1780’s. In the 1990’s the curators of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Castle Howard estate formed a partnership, leading to the wonderful visitor attraction we have today. The trees are informally planted with a lake and path, as well as many grassed avenues leading off through the site.

Accessible features include excellent disabled toilet facilities and a sensibly arranged cafe, while outside the visitor centre you’ll find a ramped seating area, and wheel wash area.

The site also has a number of pre-bookable, free of charge, mobility scooters that visitors can use. Disabled parking is placed right next to the visitor centre, and the main paths and lakeside areas have plenty of benches for rest.

The site is beautiful and includes meadows, a lake and a conservation enclosure that is home to red squirrels – with a breeding programme helping them to thrive and find protection from the non-native grey squirrels.

Any time of year is a good time to visit. Autumn will be especially wonderful. The colours of the leaves, mixed with the evergreen trees and shrubs make for stunning views.

Wildlife is so rich here, offering plenty to see. During the warmer months you’ll see insects busy collecting pollen on the huge number of wildflowers, as well as woodland and garden birds, such as chiffchaff, bluetit, coaltit, long-tailed tits and great tits. 

Treecreepers, nuthatch, woodpeckers and thrushes all thrive here too and there are also quite a few non-native peacocks, that during their breeding season (spring) will show you their incredible colourful display of tail feathers.

Although I use my own mobility equipment, disabled visitors can pre-book and use off-road mobility equipment on site.

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Location: Yorkshire Arboretum, Castle Howard Estate, York, YO60 7BY.

For further information, visit:  www.yorkshirearboretum.org

For a full visitor guide, visit: www.accessiblenatureuk.com or email: peter.lau@sky.com