Where is the oldest oak tree in Britain?
The Bowthorpe Oak in Bourne, Lincolnshire, is estimated to be over 1,000 years old, making it Britain’s oldest oak tree. With a girth of 40ft, in 1768 the centre, which has hollowed out over time, was fitted with seats and a door added. Over the years, its hollow interior has been used as a pigeon house – which was built in the crown of the tree – and as a dining room for 20 people. Now it is a cosy home for sheep and chickens. Given how important oaks were for shipbuilding – it took about 3,500 mature trees to build one man o’ war – it is surprising that this one has survived.
