Explore trees from all over the globe under an hour away from Bristol
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum is an arboretum in Gloucestershire, England, about three miles from the town of Tetbury. It is under one hour's drive from the centre of Bristol.
Managed by Forestry England, it is perhaps the most important and widely known Arboretum in the United Kingdom.
This is thanks to its extensive plant collection, containing 15,000 specimens, and 2,500 species of tree from all over the world.
Westonbirt plays a vital part in research and conservation, as well as being a place for the public to explore rare, interesting and beautiful plants.
Inside the Arboretum, visitors can enjoy a wide range of trails, learning programmes and regular events.
.jpg "Activities at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum")
History
Westonbirt Arboretum was created almost 200 years ago by Victorian horticulturalist Robert Holford.
Holford financed plant collecting expeditions all over the world, on a quest to find the rare, the beautiful and the extraordinary, and the Arboretum still contains many of the original plants brought back from these trips.
Rather than laying the plants out according to species or native geographic location, Holford planted his Arboretum aesthetically.
The result? A botanical collection famed worldwide not only for its diversity but also for its breathtaking beauty.
Facilities and Access
Due to COVID-19, the site has introduced a new booking system and reduced the number of people welcome at one time. Find out more.
Westonbirt Arboretum is home to a restaurant, shop and toilet facilities, as well as a Welcome Building and natural play areas.
The site also has a mobility scooter or wheelchair hire service.
Dogs are welcome within some areas of the Arboretum, and assistance dogs are welcome throughout the whole Arboretum.
There are no parking charges at Westonbirt Arboretum, but entry fees apply.
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
Activities
There are a wide range of activities for both children and adults to enjoy at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, from walking trails to sculpture.
The site is home to the STIHL Treetop Walkway – a walkway which takes you up to the treetops on a walk through the woods.
The main walkway is fully accessible for mobility scooters and wheelchairs, and the crow's nest, rope bridge and fun interactive hotspots make it a must-see for visiting families.
Events: Enchanted Christmas, Forest Live and more
At Westonbirt Arboretum, you'll find a busy schedule of events – from workshops to exercise events and live music.
One of the site's most popular annual events is Enchanted Christmas, which sees mesmerising light displays pop up across the area in time for the festive season.
In the summer, the Arboretum plays host to Forest Live - the outdoor summer concert series presented by Forestry England.
In previous years, the series, which is held at forests across the country, has welcomed acts including Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs and Little Mix.
More than 1.9 million people have attended a Forest Live gig in the last 20 years, and the series supports the work of Forestry England.
.jpg "Forest Live at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum")
For more information, visit the website.
