We are very privileged to have an arboretum at Robert Smyth Academy. It was created by Francis Hammond in 1913, so many of our trees are now over 100 years old. Mr Hammond continued to expand the site and add new plants until just before his death in 1937. His arboretum then sadly suffered many years of neglect until 1992 when volunteers set about restoration and planting new acquisitions. We now support the volunteers as we seek to maximise the value of the arboretum to school and community.

Today the arboretum houses over 300 trees and shrubs in the 2.4 acre site. These include 33 county champion trees, one English champion and one British champion based either on their height, girth or both.

The arboretum is open to visitors at selected times throughout the year, in October under the National Garden Scheme and for group visits throughout.

If you would like to find out about open days or help in any way, as a volunteer, to maintain, develop and publicise the Arboretum, please enquire through the website: Hammond Arboretum