Beech Trees on Ladle Hill in Summer
Beech Trees on Ladle Hill in Summer is a limited edition tree print by British countryside photographer Charles Sainsbury-Plaice. The photograph captures the mature beech trees and old track near Watership Down in Hampshire, where the dense summer canopy creates a striking avenue of green across one of southern England's most distinctive chalk landscapes.
The trees stand close to Ladle Hill, an important archaeological site within the North Wessex Downs. The hill is crowned by the earthworks of an unfinished Iron Age hill fort, a reminder that people have travelled, worked and watched over this landscape for thousands of years. The surrounding chalk downland, beech hangers and old routes give the area a strong sense of continuity, linking the modern countryside with its prehistoric past.
A Hampshire Landscape with a Literary History
This part of Hampshire is closely associated with Watership Down, Richard Adams' celebrated novel inspired by the countryside around the downs. Long before the book brought the landscape to an international audience, the writer and social commentator William Cobbett explored rural Hampshire on horseback. His journeys, later recorded in Rural Rides, described the farms, tracks, villages and changing countryside of southern England. The old route beneath the beeches evokes that tradition of travelling slowly through the landscape and observing its character at close quarters.
In summer, the beech trees form a high, leafy corridor. Sunlight filters through the canopy, picking out the texture of the track and the strong upright rhythm of the trunks. Charles Sainsbury-Plaice's photograph preserves both the grandeur of the trees and the atmosphere of the place: peaceful, historic and unmistakably English.
Limited Edition Fine Art Photography
This signed and numbered limited edition is produced as a giclée print on high-quality photo rag paper. Framed versions are presented in a wooden Black & Gold Luxe Monti Italian frame, finished with a triple mount and Art Glass. The specialist glazing reduces reflections while helping to protect the photograph from ultraviolet light.
- Signed and numbered limited edition
- Edition of 125, plus 12 artist's proofs
- Giclée printed on archival-quality photo rag paper
- Available framed or as a print only
- Two print sizes available
- UK delivery only
The smaller print measures 530 × 430 mm, with framed dimensions of approximately 790 × 690 mm. The larger print measures 780 × 580 mm, with framed dimensions of approximately 1080 × 850 mm. Alternative printing or presentation options may be available by arrangement.
Explore More Tree and Woodland Art
Discover more photographs of ancient trees, woodland paths and seasonal landscapes in our Tree Prints collection. You can also browse our Tree & Woodland Greeting Cards or explore the complete range of Charles Sainsbury-Plaice artworks.
For a wider celebration of Britain's remarkable trees and woods, see The Queen's Green Canopy special limited edition book, featuring photography by Charles Sainsbury-Plaice and Adrian Houston.
About Charles Sainsbury-Plaice
Charles Sainsbury-Plaice is a British countryside photographer specialising in trees, rural landscapes and country life. His professional experience includes working for HM The King for 25 years. This long association with the British countryside and its traditions informs the careful observation and sense of place found throughout his photography. Discover more of Charles' wider photographic work at charlessainsburyplaice.co.uk.
© Charles Sainsbury-Plaice
