The Chapter House beech, in Margam Park, has beaten off competition from five other finalists in an online vote run by Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales to take the Tree of the Year crown.

David Elward, who nominated the tree, said: “I’ve been visiting Margam Park since I was a schoolboy, and this famous beech tree has been a reliable constant. Standing under its sweeping canopy, adjacent to the 12th century Cistercian monastery and ruins, feels like you’re in a secret and magically historic space – nature’s version of a ‘cwtch’. It’s one of my favourite places to photograph.”

It seems David isn’t alone, with the tree providing an atmospheric backdrop featuring in TV and film productions from Dr Who and Songs of Praise with Sir Bryn Terfel to the recent Netflix blockbuster series Sex Education.

The winning tree will receive an £1,000 Care Award thanks to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. This can be spent on work to improve its health, signage or a public celebration.

Will Humpington, Advisor of Climate Change and Environmental Programmes at People's Postcode Lottery said: “I’m really pleased our players are supporting the Tree of the Year competitions, which continue to build a deeper connecter between people and the nature that’s around them. The stories behind this year’s winners demonstrate just how much people love trees, and the time and energy they are prepared to invest in protecting them. It shows people have special connections with some wonderful trees in all types of neighbourhoods, from remote valleys to city streets.”

The competition took public nominations earlier in the year. A panel of judges convened by Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales then chose six finalists to go to the public online vote.

The Chapter House tree won with 1118 of the votes. The first and second runners up were The Monmouth Catalpa Tree and The Chirk Castle Sweet Chestnut.

An overall UK winner will be chosen later this year, and will go forward into the European tree of the year competition.