Westonbirt The National Arboretum Gloucestershire

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

near Tetbury, Gloucestershire

The 14,902 labelled trees (around 2,500 different types of tree) come from Britain, China, North America, Japan, Chile and other temperate climates. Planting started in the 1850s by Robert Holford; the rich Victorian landowner to whom the Westonbirt estate belonged. Within the 17 miles of accessible paths and five national collections, children can become young adventurers, and adults connect with trees through guided walks and self-led trails.

Westonbirt Arboretum consists of three main areas:

The Old Arboretum is a carefully designed landscape dating from the 1850s offering beautiful vistas, stately avenues and trees from around the world.

Silk Wood is an ancient, semi-natural woodland which has exotic plantings throughout its landscape.

Whilst the Grade I registered Downs hosts species-rich grassland and is a great picnicking location.

Throughout the seasons there are continuous, stunning variations of colour and vista. Broad avenues, sweeping views and hidden pathways all combine to make the National Arboretum a wonderful experience for all the family.

STIHL Treetop Walkway - Your breathtaking bird's-eye view of Westonbirt's wonderful trees! Offering you spectacular views across the arboretum landscape. Access to the walkway is included in the cost of admission. The main walkway is step-free, making it accessible to visitors on foot, using mobility scooters, wheelchairs and pushchairs. It is 300 metres long and gradually rises on gentle inclines to a height of 13 metres.

Weather conditions right up until early autumn can affect the timing and rate at which autumn colour emerges, making it difficult for us to predict when the absolute best time to visit will be. Luckily, at Westonbirt, a succession of plants from different areas of the temperate globe burst into a succession of bright, golden or burnished tones meaning there is something to delight the senses throughout the autumn period - from September to November - with peak leaf-peeping time being the month of October.

The natural play trail - perfect for kids of all ages to enjoy, build dens and play in the woods, clamber over logs, scramble through tyre tunnels, discover the mystical troll bridge and much, much more on the play trail! Pick up your free family activity map from the Welcome Building when you arrive.

Depart Approx. 5pm