The S&B team paid a visit over the weekend to one of the oldest holly groves in Europe, which is to be found on the Stiperstones in Shropshire.
The Hollies nature reserve is a cluster of around 200 gnarled and wizened trees that were planted about 400 years ago.
The reason the trees have survived into the 21st century is because their leaves were harvested by lead miners to feed to their livestock.
The upper branches were cut back to encourage new growth, which produced nutritious, prickle-free leaves that helped animals survive the harsh winters on this bleak hillside.
Today, the miners and their families are long gone, but their enduring legacy is in the safe hands of Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
The Hollies is a very special place in a timeless landscape, and this was our second visit within a week. We were surprised to see that some of the trees were still laden with bright red berries.
Here are some of our photographs, with views looking towards Pontesford Hill, Earl’s Hill and Lawn Hill.
