TEN top chefs who have each been part of Lime Wood’s ten year journey have planted a tree of their choice in the grounds of the luxury hotel to mark the decade-long milestone.

The new trees also celebrate the environment Lime Wood calls home, it’s location in the heart of the New Forest.

Head Chefs Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder were joined by James Golding (THE PIGs), Mitch Tonks (Seahorse Restaurant), Neil Borthwick (The French House), Valentine Warner (What to Eat Now), Matt Prowse (Seahorse Restaurant), Nieves Barragán Mohacho (Sabor), Chris Davies (Lime Wood) and Sheila Hulme (Raw & Cured) at the tree planting ceremony.

Each chef has carefully selected a tree they know and love, knowing the fruit or wood it bares will be used in the Lime Wood kitchen for years to come. Fruits from the trees will be incorporated by the chefs in future menus so guests can, quite literally, experience the fruits of their labour.

Angela Hartnett told the Daily Echo: “I feel very proud to celebrate this ten year milestone as part of the Lime Wood family.

“I joined the team six years ago when we opened Hartnett Holder & Co and now can’t imagine not heading down to the New Forest to work with Luke and the brigade.

“It’s a seriously special place and marking the moment by planting trees that we can use in our future menus, with a great group of friends, is a time I will remember for years!”

Luke Holder planted an oak tree due to its bark being integral to his craft in The Smoke House . He said: “We had to have an English Oak - it is such an iconic part of our forest landscape and produces the best bark/wood for smoking meats and fish.”

The trees will act as a reminder of the journey Lime Wood has taken over the last ten years and act as a celebration of some of the amazing friendships it has made and will continue to grow, with new trees being planted by future pop up chefs.

Lime Wood Hotel Director Kenneth Speirs added: “Lime Wood has been inspired and moulded by the forest surroundings for the past 10 years and this tree planting is our way of saying thank you and giving something back.”

Renowned for its laid-back luxury, Lime Wood is a secluded hideaway 1.5 miles from Lyndhurst.

Lime Wood was five years in the making and now incorporates the celebrated Italian style eatery Hartnett Holder & Co and the superb Herb House Spa.

Several lodges, cottage and cabins complement the luxurious rooms in the main house.

It celebrated its tenth birthday at the weekend with a pop up party featuring the food of five talented chefs.

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