New England or Old England? Why fly halfway round the world and clock up those air miles when one of the world’s finest autumn spectacles is on the doorstep at Westonbirt The National Arboretum in Gloucestershire.
From around mid-October into November, Westonbirt’s Japanese maples - Britain’s largest collection - are a riot of colour. At this 600-acre tree garden, a world of trees and shrubs has been brought together in one glorious place, and at this time of the year the Persian ironwoods and American smoke bushes put on an equally colourful show.
As the season progresses new trees get in on the act. Ironwoods change from yellow and orange in to deep plum purple, hickories turn to gold and by late October the fiery red Japanese maples are the undisputed stars. In the Old Arboretum, Acer Glade is the traditional autumn ‘Mecca’ but now annual ‘leaf-peepers’ are increasingly heading for the National Collection of Japanese maples in Silk Wood. In all, about 350 cultivated varieties create a dazzling display.
Hugh Angus, Westonbirt’s Head of Tree Collections, said: “Autumn is the crescendo of the four seasons think of a colour and one of our trees will be displaying it somewhere. This seasonal spectacle never fails to raise my spirits.”
For keen autumn watchers, a regular blog will chart the progress of this seasonal colour, and the weekly ‘hotspots’ at the national arboretum can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt.
To catch all the highlights of the season, take the Westonbirt autumn trail simply pick up a trail leaflet at the Great Oak Hall on arrival.
And for an instant update of where to watch Autumn across the UK, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/autumn
Westonbirt Arboretum is managed by the Forestry Commission. It is open all year round from 9am-5pm. During autumn, admission to the whole arboretum is £8 for adults (£7 concessions), £2 for children (18yrs and under). Annual membership is also available.
Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road). It is 10 miles north east of Junction 18 of the M4, and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Gail McKenzie, Communications Officer, Westonbirt The National Arboretum, on 01666 881 207
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Images of Westonbirt Arboretum in autumn are attached. Credit: Westonbirt Arboretum (and photographer Paul Groom where indicated).
2. Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, is managed by the Forestry Commission and renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains nearly 16,000 specimens, including almost half of the woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone. It covers 600 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Its importance is recognised by English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a Grade 1 registered Landscape. Visitor numbers are 350,000 a year, with a membership of over 22,000.
3. Westonbirt Arboretum was established in the 1850s by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is credited to Sir George's plantings of Japanese maples between 1875 and 1900, many of which are still alive today. Unlike many arboreta, Westonbirt is laid out according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria, and the Holfords' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out among some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.
4. Westonbirt is home to the National Japanese Maple (Acer) Collection, with over 300 different types in the collection. The Forestry Commission opened Westonbirt Arboretum to the public in 1961, and in 1966 a new Acer Glade was established, alongside the original one planted by Robert and George Holford in 1875. Today, Westonbirt is in the process of creating the world’s best collection of maples.
5. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk