Out of the Blue

The Unexpected Delights of Hooke Park

By The Bimbler

Set in 370 acres of Dorset’s finest Broadleaf and Conifer Forest, Hooke Park is an experimental playground for students of the Architectural Association’s School. Here they create conceptual structures using timber harvested from their own woodlands.

I’d come for a look around with my brother Simon who is an Expert in Landscapes and Trees. It was great to have my own guide reeling off Latin names and describing the various Flora … but at this time of year it’s Bluebells that steal the limelight.

The on site Architecture has been developing for over 30 years and playfully interacts within the woodland setting… but it took just seconds to decide I’d happily settle for the caretaker’s modern home with its wrap around windows and weathered cladding.

*“How the merry bluebell rings to the mosses underneath”

With Lime Green Beech leaves perfectly complementing the Violet Blue my Bright Red canvas chair clashed with nature’s colour palette so I resolved matters by sitting on it and getting busy with an afternoon brew

meanwhile my brother volunteered for the stringent task of testing the hammock’s structural integrity

after an extended coffee break we continued exploring for the rest of the afternoon

soaking up what are now my favourite Bluebell woods before heading off back to base camp.

Hooke Park woodland makes for a great afternoon Bimble… especially in Bluebell season… check it out!

More information can be found on the Architectural Association’s website

Footnotes

*taken from 'Adeline' by Alfred Lord Tennyson

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FootNotes

*taken from 'Adeline' by Alfred Lord Tennyson