Variety: the spice of life

It's one of the world's most important arboreta, housing a globally significant collection of trees and shrubs gathered from across the globe. You can walk for miles along well-maintained paths, discovering different rides and collections, from the ancient specimens in the historical Old Arboretum to the more naturalistic Silk Wood.

A real highlight is the treetop walkway, which delivers incredible views over the canopy. It's particularly striking when the leaves turn vibrant colours in autumn or emerge fresh and green in spring. The landscape shifts beautifully with each season, so there's always something fresh to experience, whether it's spring blossoms, summer greenery, autumn colours, or the bare branches of winter. The arboretum was established in the mid-19th century when Robert Holford created it driven by his passion for exotic trees, and it functions today as a living library. It works equally well for a relaxed stroll, a family day out, or simply soaking in the peace of this special landscape. You'll find it just a short drive from the charming towns of Tetbury and Malmesbury, so it slots easily into a Cotswolds trip.