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Garden Name: Westonbirt Arboretum
Last Modified: 09/02/2010
Garden ID: 0404

pic: 0404_Westonbirt.jpg

Owner: Helen Daniels, Forestry Commission
Address:
Westonbirt
Tetbury

Postcode: GL8 8QS
County: Gloucestershire

tel: 01666-880220
fax: 01666 880559
website: www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
email: helen.daniels {at} forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Features: 
The National Arboretum has probably the finest collection of trees and shrubs in Britain, if not Europe, including no less than104 champion trees.

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
Every day of the year; 9am - 8pm, or sunset, if earlier. Sat & Sun; 8am - 8pm. Closes at 5pm; Dec - 31st Mar.
Shop, Plant Centre, restaurant and cafe not open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day.
Events 01666-880147

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
Famous for Autumn colour - Oct/Nov.
April/May

To see: 
Acer glades/ National Collection of Japanese Acers.
Rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells. Spring colour.

National Collection: 
Japanese Acers, Salix (willow).

National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: Minimum 16 people.

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments: Preferably 

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Winter: 2nd Jan - 28th Feb. Adult £6; Child (5-18 years) £2; Concessions (Over 60's/student/disabled) £5
1st Mar - 31st Sept. Adult £8; Child £3; Concessions £7;
1st Oct - 30th Nov. Adult £8; Child £4; Concessions £7;
1st Dec - 31st Dec; Car parking charge only - £5 per car, 9am - 4pm
Guided tours for 25+ people available @£30 extra per group. Group admission rates: Adult £5-6; Over 60s & Disabled £4-5; Child £1 (1 carer per disabled admitted free).
Dog Days - 21st/22nd Feb - : Adult £7, Concession £6; Child £3
Festival of the Tree Aug - : Adult £9, Concession £8; Child £4
Enchanted Christmas: Adult £8, Concession £7; Child £4

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: No
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Dogs are allowed in 60% of the grounds, Silk Wood only. Limited supply of wheelchairs available, please telephone ahead to book.
Numerous Events every month throughout the year - for details see own website


Designer: Robert Holford
Description of Garden:
Westonbirt is a wonderful world of trees. There are 18,000 numbered specimens from all over the world, producing 600 acres of beautifully landscaped Cotswold countryside. Visitors can wander where they please along 17 miles of waymarked trails or simply sit and admire some of the tallest, oldest and indeed rarest trees in Britain.

Beautiful at any time of the year, Westonbirt is famous for its autumn colour when it seems every tree turns a brilliant red, gold, pink or orange. It is a spectacle not to be missed.


History: 
Started in 1829 by Robert Holford, it continued to grow and expand within the Holford family for 130 years. It passed to the Government in 1956 in lieu of death duties, and has since been managed by the Forestry Commission.

Local Inns: 
Gumstool Inn, Tetbury
Hare & Hounds, Tetbury

Accomodation: 
Gumstool Inn, Tetbury
The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury (May-Sept promo)
Close Hotel, Tetbury

Restaurants: 
The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury (May-Sept promo)

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Tetbury - antiques
The Cotswolds
Cheltenham
Bath