Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

About

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, managed by the Forestry Commission, is one of the finest collections of temperate trees and shrubs in the world.

The 600 acre arboretum is home to 3,000 different species of trees and around 15,000 individual specimens. A place of environmental and historical importance, its Victorian creator Robert Holford was fascinated by rare and beautiful plants and helped finance expeditions to collect specimens from around the world.

Westonbirt is known internationally for its spectacular autumn colour display, but offers an unforgettable day out all year round, from magnificent flowering trees in spring, to sculptural and bright-stemmed specimens in winter.

STIHL Treetop Walkway

Experience a birds-eye view of Westonbirt's wonderful trees on the STIHL Treetop Walkway. 300 metres in length and gradually rising to a height of 13 metres above ground, there's something to see every season from this amazing elevated viewpoint. The main walkway is step-free, making it accessible to those using mobility scooters, wheelchairs, pushchairs and dogs on leads. Access to the walkway is included in admission.

Activities throughout the year

Events, workshops and family activities run throughout the year. Signature events include Treefest in August and the spectacular Enchanted Christmas illuminated trail in November and December.

There are 17 miles of paths throughout the arboretum and dozens of leafy glades with levels of accessibility to suit a range of visitors. Free weekend guided walks led by knowledgeable volunteers are available from Easter to October, and you can fire your children’s imaginations with an adventure into the trees along our play trail.

There are mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs available to borrow (it is advisable to book these in advance), special group rates on request and retail and refreshment opportunities onsite. 

Westonbirt has a huge area, Silk Wood, for you and your dog to explore. The Old Arboretum and the Christopher Mitchell Information Centre are dog-free zones.

Gruffalo Sculptures - If you venture into the deep dark wood you may bump into the Gruffalo, the Gruffalo's Child and other characters from the book too!

Zog Activity trail - Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s magical children’s picture book, children are invited to step into the forest classroom and learn lessons just like Zog, the loveable, if somewhat clumsy, dragon at Dragon School. Learn how animals fly, what sounds they make and how they catch their prey! As well as winning gold stars along the self-led trail, there will be reveal panels which have a hidden image that children can find using a coloured lens in their activity pack. Available to buy for just £3 the activity pack will also include a Zog mask, activity sheets a pencil and stickers.

​​​​​​Summer at Westonbirt

Westonbirt is the perfect place in which to escape from hot weather, green leafy rides and secluded glades providing cool refreshment from the sun.

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend you can enjoy Treefest - watch as carvers take inspiration from nature to create large wooden sculptures, listen to local live music, see traditional woodcraft and woodland skills, meet local food producers and watch live arena demonstrations.

Autumn at Westonbirt

Autumn is a fabulous time of year at Westonbirt and wherever you go, the natural firework display of colours is superb. Pick up your autumn trail map from the Welcome Building to find the best of the season's offering.

Enchanted Christmas

A spectacular one mile illuminated trail, highlighting the striking structures of Westonbirt’s trees as they are lit up against the night sky. Crafts, gifts and festive family fun also greet visitors to Westonbirt’s Enchanted Christmas event. The event runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from the last weekend in November until the weekend before Christmas.

Tags: Westonbirt Arboretum