It’s always this time of year that the English countryside looks its best. Waking up from a winter slumber, flowers bloom, trees bud, and all sorts of animals and insects spring into life. And there’s no better place to witness it in full than at Westonbirt, the National Arboretum.
Westonbirt is often considered one of the important plant collections in the world – and one of the most beautiful too, might I add. Nearly two hundred years old, it was established by Robert Stayner Holford at the peak of Victorian plant hunting in the mid-19th century.
Today, you’ll discover over 15,000 specimens and 2,500 species of trees from across the world – including everything from English oaks to Japanese maples and Californian incense cedar. But you could spend the whole day exploring and not see most of the trees. My parents have pilgrimaged to Westonbirt every changing season since I was a kid, and still aren’t bored!
What is there to do at Westonbirt?
The arboretum is made up of three distinct areas. Firstly, there’s the larger, dog-friendly and ancient woodland of Silk Wood, while the Old Arboretum is smaller and consists entirely of planted trees, some dating from Westonbirt’s beginnings in 1829; they’re separated by the Downs, where most of the facilities are, like a cafe.
You’re free to wander the many miles of pathways on either a guided or self-guided tour – there’s even a Gruffalo sculpture trail for little ones to enjoy in the Old Arboretum. Plus, you can be sure, there are always special wildlife-focused events happening, like Bioblitz on April 26 and 27, joining wildlife experts to spot and record as many species as possible.
But the stand-out event of the year is always Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum, however. A unique concert in an unforgettable setting in June, this year’s lineup includes the likes of Sting, Snow Patrol, Elbow, Paul Heaton, McFly and The Script. Better still, your ticket supports the conservation work of Forestry England, who own and manages Westonbirt.
Why is the National Arboretum important?
The UK is ranked as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, according to the ‘State of Nature Report 2023’. Across the UK, species have declined on average by 19% since 1970, and now one in six species is threatened with extinction.
Bucking this trend, Westonbirt’s collection of trees attracts and provides habitats for a diverse range of wildlife. This makes it a haven for wildlife in the face of the UK’s biodiversity crisis and a thriving network of habitats and ecosystems supporting a world of animals, plants, insects, fungi and lichen to discover.
Forestry England is only furthering the arboretum’s biodiversity with everything from installing nesting boxes to attract dormice and pine martens to managing the semi-ancient natural woodland areas to conserve their habitats. A recent survey even revealed that certain threatened or rare species of wildflowers and butterflies are increasing in number at the arboretum.
How do I get there?
Located towards Tetbury, it takes roughly 40 minutes to drive to Westonbirt, taking the M32, M4, A46 and A433 from Bristol. Use the postcode GL8 8QS. Alternatively, you can take a bus (620) either from Bath Spa or Yate, but you’d have to get to these destinations first, and it may take up to two hours to visit.
How much does it cost?
Tickets to Westonbirt are from £13, but if you’re planning multiple visits, the Friends’ membership starts from £30. To learn more and pre-book your visit, head here.