A stupendous signature

It's a living collection of trees from around the world, carefully maintained by Forestry England, where you can easily spend several hours moving through different landscapes and soaking up the peaceful surroundings.

The arboretum looks particularly striking in autumn when the leaves turn brilliant reds and golds, but there's genuine beauty to find in every season. Spring brings fresh blossoms, summer offers cooling shade, and winter reveals the interesting structure of the bare trees. One of the best experiences here is the treetop walkway, which lifts you up into the canopy and gives you a perspective you won't get from ground level. It's brilliant for photography or simply getting a different sense of the trees themselves.

Robert Holford, a keen plant collector, established the arboretum back in the mid-1800s, and it's developed into a collection of international importance since then. You'll find it within easy driving distance of Tetbury and Malmesbury, so it works well as part of a broader exploration of the area that takes in both natural spaces and the character of the local villages. There's a café on site too, which is useful once you've finished your walk around the grounds.