To infinity and beyond

You can explore thousands of specimens from temperate regions across the globe, split between the Old Arboretum with its formal landscaping and rare species, and Silk Wood, which preserves a sense of ancient, untamed woodland.

There's genuinely enough here to fill an entire day. Winding paths take you past champion trees, and an elevated walkway lets you rise above the forest floor for a completely different vantage point. The place transforms dramatically with the seasons. Autumn delivers spectacular leaf colour, though spring blossoms, summer canopy cover, and winter's clarity each bring their own character.

The collection began in the mid-1800s when Robert Stayner Holford started amassing exotic trees here with considerable dedication. What began as a personal passion has developed into a globally significant centre for tree conservation and research, now operated by Forestry England.

Located just south of Tetbury, with Malmesbury and Sherston within easy reach, it sits perfectly as a stop while exploring the southern Cotswolds. Whether you're after a leisurely walk, a full family day out, or simply time spent surrounded by nature on this scale, it works well for any of those purposes.