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The oldest London planes

After the ravages of the Civil War, restoration projects in Cambridgeshire included the Bishop's Palace at Buckden and the Bishop's Palace at Ely. They have given us the oldest living examples of the London plane in England. At Buckden, Robert Sanderson, (Bishop of Lincoln 1660-1663), is said to have been presented with two London planes; both are still growing healthily and one has reached a great size. At Ely, Peter Gunning, (Bishop of Ely 1675-1684), also planted gifts of trees, a London plane which is now a massive tree, and two Oriental planes.

The London plane at Barn Elms, London SW13, is probably from about 1685, planted on lands then belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is London’s oldest and largest plane.

Links to more pictures of the planes at Buckden, at Ely and at Barn Elms.