
📷 Photo by Steve Fareham · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
This sprawling collection of around 15,000 tree specimens from across the globe offers something genuinely different from typical Cotswolds attractions.
Established by the Holford family in the 19th century and now managed by Forestry England, it functions as both a working resource and a place where you can spend a full day exploring without running out of things to discover.
The landscape splits into two distinct areas. The Old Arboretum features mature trees arranged in formal glades, while Silk Wood delivers something wilder—ancient woodland with seasonal wildflowers creating a more naturalistic setting. The Treetop Walkway is worth experiencing for the perspective it gives you into the canopy from above. Autumn transforms the whole place with vivid colour, though spring growth, summer greenery, and even winter's bare architecture each bring their own appeal.
It works well whether you're after a gentle stroll, a proper woodland adventure with family, or serious photography opportunities. The walking is substantial, so comfortable shoes are essential—there's genuinely a lot of ground to cover if you want to experience it properly.
You'll find it conveniently positioned between Tetbury and Malmesbury, so it slots easily into a broader Cotswolds exploration. It's the sort of place where you can disappear into nature for hours while staying within easy reach of the region's market towns and villages.
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Photos

G. Hogg · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

R. Drayton · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons