The John Cowdray arboretum covers 16 acres at Benbow Pond, a popular stopping place for people travelling along the A272 and for families who enjoy feeding the pond's ducks, swans and other birdlife.

The plantation, created in 2000 – five years after the 3rd viscount's death – has more than 140 different types of trees, with walkways and six linking mown grass avenues.

It has been protected by fencing to enable it to become established, but now a gate giving public access is in place and the welcome sign is up.

As Lord Cowdray wanted, Monday's official opening was a low-key event but specifically chosen to coincide with the 100th anniversary of his great-grandfather purchasing the estate on November 16, 1909.

Sir Weetman Dickinson Pearson, engineer, oil industrialist and owner of the Pearson company, then concentrating on construction, paid the 8th Earl of Egmont a reported £340,000. In 1917, he was created 1st Viscount Cowdray.

The present viscount said he believed his father would have appreciated the significance of opening the arboretum on that day.

He added: "When it came to finding the right memorial for my father, this seemed the most fitting tribute because he was passionate about the woodland.

"When I was growing up, I remember how he used to take house guests on tours of the woodland – whether they were willing or not."

Donald Macdonald, the estate's head forester, said: "The best time to see the arboretum will be in late spring or early autumn, for the autumn colours."

A memorial temple was built in 2000 on the opposite side of Benbow Pond, also to honour the 3rd viscount.

Public access to the arboretum is free.


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