FAMILY EVENTS AT WESTONBIRT THIS AUTUMN
October is a wonderful time to visit The National Arboretum, Westonbirt. Autumn waves its magic wand and creates a season of delight for everyone who loves the great outdoors. With thousands of trees on the 600-site in Gloucestershire, it’s the Forestry Commission’s flagship site for the autumn colour experience. From October onwards you can log on to www.forestry.gov.uk where you’ll find a daily updated autumn colour indicator.
This year also sees the second phase of the arboretum’s Native Tree Trail open to the public. This one-mile trail through the heart of Silk Wood aims to encourage visitors to rediscover the 'ordinary' native trees that grow throughout Britain and the remarkable journey they made to reach our shores. Sculpture, audio, informative panels, carved benches and even a pub sign take visitors on a journey through time from the treeless tundra of the last ice age through ancient wild woods and dramatic woodland clearances. Along the trail you’ll meet some of the natives and discover the stories they tell and their importance to our past and present. You can also meet Silk Wood’s oldest inhabitant – a native tree that probably lived here when the Romans invaded.
This year’s project continues the journey through areas of Silk Wood still under traditional woodland management to explore how our native trees have helped shape our history and culture – from town names and popular pub names to cricket and graveyards.
Pick up a leaflet from the end of September and get to know the natives.
October also offers some great events for all the family to enjoy. There’s a Harvest Spectacular on October 7 from 10am-4pm when you can discover the bounty of seed, fruit and nuts in the woods, and then create a piece of seed art. And on 23-26 October from 10.30am-4pm you can join an Autumn Fireworks Trail and learn all about the changing colours. Each day will offer a different art activity inspired by the amazing colours.
Westonbirt is open all year between 10am and 8pm, or dusk if earlier. The normal cost of admission for adults is £5-£7.50, children £1, group and concession rates available. For more information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt or call the Arboretum on 01666 880220.
· Westonbirt 2006 – The National Arboretum anniversary year.
Notes to Editors:
1. 2006 celebrates 50 years of Forestry Commission management at Westonbirt - The National Arboretum. Visitor numbers are just under 350,000 per annum with a membership of over 19,000.
2. Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, is renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains over 17,000 specimens, including almost half of those woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone, and 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 Listed Landscape.
3. Westonbirt Arboretum was established in 1829 by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son, George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is often 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 amongst some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.
4. Westonbirt is home to the National 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 1870.
5. 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.
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 www.forestry.gov.uk
For press enquiries contact Kellie Lovett at Westonbirt Arboretum on 01666 880220
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