Spring is in the air, and Westonbirt Arboretum is blooming - creamy magnolias the size of dinner plates and glorious pink rhododendrons. This Forestry Commission tree garden is famous for its autumn colour, but spring seems to be one of its best-kept and most glorious secrets - and throughout April and May, come along on a ‘Westonbirt Wednesday’ and get 50% off all admissions.
In April, as the season gets into full swing, Westonbirt’s A-list celebrities make an appearance. Rhododendrons, many over 100 years old and great natural treasures, tower overhead in dizzy clouds of colour. As the month progresses, both richly coloured rhododendrons and heavenly scented azaleas abound, and in a quiet glade in Silk Wood, Japanese and Chinese flowering cherry trees are cloaked in pale pink blossom. Here in the woods, wild flowers such as wood anemones, primroses and celandines appear, then give way to hazy carpets of bluebells
‘Spring watch’ goes live on the Westonbirt website from early April, with weekly updates on the best spots for spring blooms around the arboretum
Simon Toomer, Curator at Westonbirt Arboretum, said: "Spring at Westonbirt is a real joy. When the Holford family first planted the arboretum back in Victorian times they indulged their passion for beautiful, big acid-loving flowers. The right soil and tender care is the secret of their success
Some springtime events at Westonbirt Arboretum…
Monday 6-Friday 10 April - Easter eggtastic challenge
Tuesday 14-Friday 17 April - Wild woodland walks - Family event Venture out into the wilds this spring. Use your eyes, ears, nose and hands to discover Westonbirt’s sensory secrets. 10.30am-4pm. Free on admission.
Sunday 19 April
Sunday 25 April
Sunday 3 May - Dawn Chorus Walk
Booking essential: 01666 880220.
Westonbirt Arboretum is managed by the Forestry Commission. It is open all year round - from 9am-5pm. During spring and 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 EDITORS
1. Images of Westonbirt Arboretum in Spring attached. Please credit: Westonbirt Arboretum.
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 21,000.
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
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Gail McKenzie
Communications Officer
Westonbirt - The National Arboretum
Tetbury
Gloucestershire
GL8 8QS
Direct Line: 01666 881 207
www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt– now to be shared by thousands." – Family event Find the creatures that lay eggs at Westonbirt, solve the riddle and create your own Easter crafts. 10.30am-4pm. £2 for children. – Westonbirt’s flowers – Guided walk Discover the wealth of wild flowers at Westonbirt, and how the arboretum is making sure they continue to thrive. 11am-1pm. Booking essential. Tel: 01666 880220.– Sunday 3 May – National Beanpole Week Visit the plant centre and meet the coppice workers of the arboretum’s ancient Silk Wood. Buy natural hazel beanpoles and pea sticks for your garden. Plant centre open daily 10am-5pm. Admission to plant centre free.– Guided walk Westonbirt has a wealth of wild birds, so join the RSPB’s Barry Embling and take in the natural wonder of our dawn chorus. 4.30 – 6.30am. £4.00 (normal admission does not apply). For aged 12 and over. Sorry, no dogs allowed.
www.forestry.gov.uk– a sure sign of a well-managed ancient oak woodland. – from magnificent flowering shrubs in the old arboretum to wild flowers in Silk Wood.
www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt