Forestry Commission - News - westonbirt arboretum reveals its playful nature

Walk the plank, jump over crocodile-infested waters, build a secret den … from this summer children can let their imaginations run wild in new natural play areas hidden among the trees at Westonbirt The National Arboretum.

As young people seem to spend more and more time indoors, evidence grows of how lack of outdoor play could be damaging their physical and emotional development 1. Natural places such as the Forestry Commission’s Westonbirt Arboretum then become increasingly important. Its 600 acres offers a vast, safe place in which children can run wild and connect with the environment.

These are the first of many new natural play areas planned for Westonbirt making clever use of its recycled wood by giving it a second life as tree stump stepping stones, a ‘troll’ bridge, tree forts and all the materials needed to build dens.

Ben Oliver, Education and Interpretation Manager at Westonbirt Arboretum, said: “We really want children to experience our trees for themselves through hands-on play – whether they are defending their dens, knocking on wood or planning their next adventure. About a quarter of our visitors come as families, and we hope these new natural play areas will help them have an even more playful time together.”

Although the new play areas appeal enormously to the under-10s, they’re irresistible to kids of all ages many an adult can be seen skipping over the stepping stones! Some of the play areas can be discovered along the arboretum’s popular Summer Trail. A leaflet for this trail and a separate map of the play areas can be picked up at the Great Oak Hall on arrival.

Westonbirt Arboretum is open all year round from 9am-5pm. During summer, admission to the whole arboretum is Ł7 for adults (Ł6 concessions), Ł2 for children (18yrs and under) apart from during the Festival of the Tree (18-25 August). 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.

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For further information and images, please contact Gail McKenzie, Communications Officer, Westonbirt The National Arboretum, on 01666 881 207

NOTES TO EDITORS

Images of the new natural play areas at Westonbirt Arboretum attached.

Please credit: Forestry Commission.

1. From ‘Growing Adventure’ – Final Report to the Forestry Commission (March 2006)

www.forestry.gov.uk/england-play

2. Natural play is all about getting young people outdoors and active. ‘Active Woods’ is a wider national drive being led by the Forestry Commission to promote the vast range of health and fitness opportunities offered by Britain’s woodlands. Hundreds of events are being organised reflecting the campaign’s three themes of naturally active, naturally stimulating and naturally relaxing. For more visit

www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods-england

3. 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 21,000.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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