Exclusive Holford Heritage Tours this July and August
Step back into Victorian times and uncover the fascinating story of one of Gloucestershire’s great families, the Holfords. This summer, there’s a rare opportunity to relive over 150 years of intriguing Cotswolds history centred around Westonbirt School and the Forestry Commission’s Westonbirt Arboretum.
In the 1800s Robert Stayner Holford, a gentleman of great taste and an enthusiastic and indulgent collector, created a grand house with extensive pleasure grounds for his family - now the school and world-famous arboretum.
Experts and volunteers, including Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, have recently unravelled the Holford family history -revealing great wealth, royal connections, a love of art and a passion for plants. Now there’s the chance to delve into this history, and also come face to face with a modern-day ‘Robert Holford’.
Begin the tour with a morning visit to Westonbirt School and gardens. Here there are glimpses of past ideologies and innovation, including the restored library and camellia house. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the magnificent national arboretum. Many of the original exotic trees still flourish in this ‘Picturesque’ landscape, now carefully managed as part of the Forestry Commission’s estate.
As Sir Roy Strong, Vice President of the Holfords of Westonbirt Trust said:
“I had no idea that a mid-Victorian house of such magnificence existed…it will become one of the places to come and see.”
Holford Heritage Tour dates:
July 7, 9,15, 21, 23 and 29
August 6, 11, 19 and 25
10am – 3.30pm
Cost £20 (including morning coffee/tea).
£18 for Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum and group of 10+ people For more information and to book tel: 01666 880333 www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-hht booking essential.
Westonbirt Arboretum is open all year round - from 9am-5pm. During summer, admission to the whole arboretum is £7 for adults (£6 concessions), £2 for children (18yrs and under).
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 email: gail.mckenzie@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITOR
- Images available: Holford Ride in Westonbirt Arboretum, looking towards Westonbirt School – credit Paul Groom/Forestry Commission & Westonbirt School and Grounds – credit Westonbirt School.
- The Holford Heritage Tours are organised by the Forestry Commission, Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt School and the Holfords of Westonbirt Trust. The partnership is working together to conserve and maintain the fantastic heritage created by Robert Stayner Holford and his family at Westonbirt.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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