The Chapel Field Society
The Chapelfield Arboretum


In the 18th century the Chapel Field was enclosed by railings and the lessee Sir Thomas Churchman planted the three avenues of elms along the sides, which are shown in the King's Map of Norwich of 1766. A century later public subscription raised money for the laying out of public gardens and the Mayor, Harry Bullard Esq. officially opened the Chapelfield Gardens in 1880.

Since then the Corporation, and later the City Council, gradually replaced Churchman's elms as they reached the end of their lives with native limes and planes, retaining the original layout, and planted additional species to produce what is recognised as one of the most interesting arboreta to be seen in a city centre.

In all there are over 190 trees representing some 45 native and foreign species, some examples of which are shown.

Click on the thumbnail pictures for larger view and information on the species

Oriental Plane
Oriental Plane		 Drought Bed
Drought Bed		 North Walk
North Walk		 Himalayan Cedar
Himalayan Cedar
Broad-leafed Lime
Broad-leafed Lime		 Common Oak
Common Oak		 Huntingdon Elm
Huntingdon Elm		 Pendant Silver Lime
Pendant Silver Lime
Horse Chestnut
Horse Chestnut		 Common Lime
Common Lime		 South Walk
South Walk		 London Plane
London Plane
Foxglove Tree
Foxglove Tree		 Indian Bean Tree
Indian Bean Tree		 Pin Oak
Pin Oak		 Claret Ash
Claret Ash



Text and photographs copyright David Harrison 2001 unless otherwise stated.
Updated: 08 November 2001