War Memorial tree trail
Welcome to the War Memorial Park Tree Trail, designed by the Basingstoke tree wardens and park rangers.
The War Memorial Park is reached by a short walk from Festival Place and the bus station. Follow the map and enjoy the beauty of the variety of trees as you walk around this historic park. The trail starts at the War Memorial Park entrance and provides a clockwise, circular tour through the 18th century parkland. The majority of the route is on tarmac and gravel paths.
The park contains many mature trees and some new planting. Most are native trees that provide good habitats for wildlife. The trees are cared for by us and should you notice any problems, please call us on 01256 8448844.
1. Start at the War Memorial entrance
The map of War Memorial Park shows the tree trail route. Each number relates to a tree on the trail and the information about each tree is provided below. The what3words location information should help you locate each tree.
2. London Plane (Platanus x hispanica) https://what3words.com/tend.runner.forest
Fast growing, this enormous tree at 35m high is probably younger than it looks! Ideally suited to city life, the leaves of London Planes are easily washed clean of urban grime by rain, and its bark peels away in patches to reveal an attractive and colourful under-bark.
3. Small Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata) https://what3words.com/keys.truth.soccer
Small heart-shaped leaves, dark above and paler beneath with rust coloured tufts of down at its leaf-base distinguish this lime tree. Tight-grained and slow to splinter, the wood was used by Grinling Gibbons for his exquisite decorative carvings. Morris dancers also use lime for their sticks!
4. Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)
The much maligned honeydew exuded by the sycamore is, in fact, an extremely valuable food source for insects and small animals, producing more food than the oak, though the oak supports a greater variety of species.
Sign up for email updates
Receive information on council services, news and events by email.
Subscribe© 2026 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council