A NEW 'stumpery' garden area is to be unveiled at Sizergh Castle next month.

It will be the first large-scale development on the estate since the 1920s as well as being the very first National Trust stumpery in Cumbria.

More than 50 delegates from all over the world will be visiting Sizergh on July 8 for the official opening and to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the British Pteridological Society which was founded in Kendal in 1891.

The 480-square metre stumpery will bring to life a previously overgrown, bramble covered area of the garden. The new space is being specially created to showcase Sizergh’s four national collections of ferns alongside a variety of new plants and woodland flowers.

The tree stumps, many of which weigh two to three tonnes, were donated to Sizergh from the site of the new Heysham to M6 link road by lead contractor, Costain.

Stumperies originate from the late Victorian era when they were seen as a fashionable way to display and grow ferns. Owners of estates needed to clear areas to make gardens, so instead of getting rid of tree stumps, they could reuse them by arranging them in different positions to show the roots.

National Trust members can enjoy a special fern talk on Saturday July 9 at 11am and 2pm. To book call Sizergh on 015395 60951.

The new stumpery opens to visitors on July 10.