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Winter visit to the Hollies

January 30, 2017

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.

An ancient holly tree on the Hollies Nature Reserve, overlooking Earl's Hill and Pontesford Hill, Shropshire.
An ancient holly tree on the Hollies Nature Reserve, overlooking Earl's Hill and Pontesford Hill, Shropshire.
Gnarled trunk and branches on the Hollies Nature Reserve, the Stiperstones, Shropshire.
Gnarled trunk and branches on the Hollies Nature Reserve, the Stiperstones, Shropshire.
Holly tree laden with berries at the Hollies Nature Reserve, Shropshire.
Holly tree laden with berries at the Hollies Nature Reserve, Shropshire.
Winter sunshine highlights one of the gnarled holly trees on the Hollies Nature Reserve, the Stiperstones, Shropshire.
Winter sunshine highlights one of the gnarled holly trees on the Hollies Nature Reserve, the Stiperstones, Shropshire.
Holly tree on the Hollies Nature Reserve, the Stiperstones, Shropshire.
Holly tree on the Hollies Nature Reserve, the Stiperstones, Shropshire.
Lawn Hill, seen from the Hollies Nature Reserve on the Stiperstones, with the Wrekin on the horizon, Shropshire.
Lawn Hill, seen from the Hollies Nature Reserve on the Stiperstones, with the Wrekin on the horizon, Shropshire.
A rainbow over Lawn Hill, seen from the Hollies Nature Reserve, the Stiperstones, Shropshire.
A rainbow over Lawn Hill, seen from the Hollies Nature Reserve, the Stiperstones, Shropshire.
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All images copyright Shropshire and Beyond 2018

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