Westonbirt Ablaze with Autumn Colour

WESTONBIRT ABLAZE WITH AUTUMN COLOUR

New England or Old England? Why fly halfway round the world and clock up those air miles when one of the world's finest autumn spectacles is on the doorstep at Westonbirt - The National Arboretum in Gloucestershire.

From around mid-October into November, Westonbirt's Japanese maples - Britain's largest collection - are a riot of colour. At this 600-acre tree garden, a world of trees and shrubs has been brought together in one glorious place, and at this time of the year the Persian ironwoods and American smoke bushes put on an equally colourful show.

As the season progresses new trees get in on the act. Ironwoods change from yellow and orange in to deep plum purple, hickories turn to gold and by late October the fiery red Japanese maples are the undisputed stars. In the Old Arboretum, Acer Glade is the traditional autumn 'Mecca' but now annual 'leaf-peepers' are increasingly heading for the National Collection of Japanese maples in Silk Wood. In all, about 350 cultivated varieties create a dazzling display.

Hugh Angus, Westonbirt's Head of Tree Collections, said: "Autumn is the crescendo of the four seasons - think of a colour and one of our trees will be displaying it somewhere. This seasonal spectacle never fails to raise my spirits."

For keen autumn watchers, a regular blog will chart the progress of this seasonal colour, and the weekly 'hotspots' at the national arboretum can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

To catch all the highlights of the season, take the Westonbirt autumn trail - simply pick up a trail leaflet at the Great Oak Hall on arrival.

And for an instant update of where to watch Autumn across the UK, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/autumn

Westonbirt Arboretum is managed by the Forestry Commission. It is open all year round - from 9am-5pm. During autumn, admission to the whole arboretum is £8 for adults (£7 concessions), £2 for children (18yrs and under). Annual membership is also available.

Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road). It is 10 miles north east of Junction 18 of the M4, and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.

Dates

Opening 15 Oct 2008 - 1 Dec 2008

Road Directions

25 minutes drive from Bristol. 10 miles NE of junction 18 on the M4 and SE of junction 13 of the M5. Follow the brown signs or head for Tetbury.

Public Transport Directions

Buses out of Bath, Cirencester and out of Bristol via Yate. Limited times.

 Facilities

Provider Preferences

• Forest Location

Parking & Transport

• On site parking

Catering

• On-Site café/restaurant

Establishment Features

• Cater for groups

Specialist Features

• Family Fun