📷 Photo by Sally · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Your journey into a world of trees begins at the visitor centre, where you can pick up a map, ask questions about the various trails, and get the latest on what's blooming or showing its best colours.
This is your entry point to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, a 600-acre collection of trees and shrubs from across the globe, managed by Forestry England.
The grounds divide into distinct areas worth exploring. Silk Wood offers a wilder, more natural atmosphere, while The Old Arboretum showcases the formal planting scheme started over 160 years ago by Robert Holford, with many of those original trees still standing today. The Treetop Walkway is a real highlight—it gives you a completely different perspective of the canopy that you won't get from ground level.
Whether you're after a leisurely stroll, a family day out, or simply time surrounded by trees, there's something here for you in any season. The arboretum is particularly renowned for its autumn colours and spring displays, though each time of year has its own appeal. It's an easy drive from nearby Tetbury and Malmesbury, so it fits well alongside other Cotswolds visits. The site has strong associations with plantsman Roy Lancaster, whose influence has shaped the modern collection.
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Photos
P. Eccles · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
N. Chadwick · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons