📷 Photo by Colin Smith · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
When you're exploring the southern edges of the Cotswolds, you'll want to visit Westonbirt Arboretum, an extraordinary collection of trees from around the world maintained by Forestry England.
The site divides into two distinct areas: the formal Old Arboretum with its established, mature specimens, and Silk Wood, which has a more natural woodland character. Many visitors particularly enjoy the Stihl Treetop Walkway, which lifts you into the canopy for a perspective you simply won't get from ground level. Autumn brings spectacular leaf colour, while spring offers fresh growth and blossom throughout the grounds.
Robert Stayner Holford founded the arboretum in the mid-19th century, and it remains central to tree conservation and research today, protecting many rare and endangered species. You can easily spend several hours walking through the grounds, discovering the diversity and age of different tree species while enjoying a genuine sense of quiet and space. There's a cafe on site and plenty of room for families to wander without feeling crowded. It sits conveniently close to Tetbury and Malmesbury, so you can combine your visit with exploring these nearby towns, making it a natural fit into any Cotswolds trip.
Visitor reviews
Every review has a sheep rating. If you have dogs on your account, you can add an optional dog-friendly paw rating when you post.
Photos
S. Fareham · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
P. Halling · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons