The Serpentine Ride

The Serpentine Ride is a grassy path that defines the layout of the oldest part of the Arboretum, the original Pinetum, laid out by William Sawrey Gilpin in the 1830s. Gilpin was a leading promoter of The Picturesque style of planting and advised the Harcourt family on the establishment and layout of the arboretum. His influence is still strongly evident in the landscape today. The grassy path encourages visitors to follow a winding route among beautiful glades which include collections of flowering trees and shrubs. In this area of the Arboretum, you will find a wide variety of non-native species, including many stunning trees such as magnolias and rare conifers.