Take a romantic Valentine’s Day stroll through the woods or accompany your four-legged friend to Dog Days. Westonbirt Arboretum has a wealth of events to welcome in the new year.
As this Forestry Commission arboretum begins to reawaken after winter, take in the seasonal trails and discover the first signs of warmer months to come. Simply pick up a trail leaflet at the Great Oak Hall on arrival, or download the seasonal audio trail before your visit at www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-audios
What’s on at Westonbirt early in 2009 (January – April)…
JANUARY
Sunday 11 January - Wood sale
Sale of Westonbirt wood. Proceeds to the Friends of Westonbirt, cash or cheques only.
10am-1pm. Free on admission.
Admission to arboretum: adult £5, conc £4, child £2.
Saturday 24-Sunday 25 January – RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch – Family event
Come and celebrate the 30th birthday of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch with Westonbirt’s many wild birds.
Free on admission. Admission to arboretum: adult £5, conc £4, child £2.
Friday 30 January - Advanced digital photography - Workshop
An intermediate course looking at settings, composition, lighting etc. On location in the arboretum. £95.00 (including arboretum admission).
Booking essential. Tel: 01285 653069
Saturday 31 January - Westonbirt Weddings exhibition
Discover a unique location for a civil wedding or partnership. Discuss your special day with specialists in photography, chauffeur/car hire, cakes, bridal gowns, flowers and catering. For more information tel: 0117 956 4769,
Free on admission. Admission to arboretum: adult £5, conc £4, child £2.
FEBRUARY
Sunday 8 February - Wood sale
Sale of Westonbirt wood. Proceeds to the Friends of Westonbirt, cash or cheques only.
10am-1pm. Free on admission.
Admission to arboretum: adult £5, conc £4 child £2.
Saturday 14 February - Tree love - Family event
Celebrate Valentine’s day among the trees. Discover the trees that matter most, and make your own willow heart for someone special.
Free on admission. Admission to arboretum: adult £5, conc £4, child £2.
Monday 16 - Friday 20 February - Feathered friends - Family event
Join Westonbirt and RSPB experts to discover native birds first hand, and make your own bird feeder, bird box and crafts. 10.30am-3pm. Free on admission. Admission to arboretum: adult £5, conc £4, child £2.
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February - Dog Days
A grand weekend for dog owners and lovers, including area displays and doggie trade stands. On Saturday, there’s the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum Dog Show (including ‘Dog most like its owner’) and on Sunday Scruffts regional cross-breed dog show (with Prettiest cross-breed bitch and Golden Oldie). Scruffts winners go on to the national heat at Earls Court later in the year. Admission to arboretum (with event): Adult £7, conc £6, child £3.
Saturday 28 February - Advanced digital photography - Workshop
An intermediate course looking at settings, image management and composition etc. On location in the arboretum.
£95.00 (including arboretum admission).
Booking essential. Tel: 01285 653069
MARCH
Sunday 8 March - Wood sale
Sale of Westonbirt wood. Proceeds to the Friends of Westonbirt, cash or cheques only.
10am-1pm. Free on admission.
Admission to arboretum: adult £7, conc, £6 child £2.
Wednesday 25 March - Beginners’ digital landscape photography - Workshop
Beginners’ workshop looking at settings, capturing images and improving overall skills and understanding. On location in the arboretum. £50 (including admission to arboretum). Booking essential. Tel: 01285 653069
Friday 27-Sunday 29 March - Stained glass exhibition and auction by Bristol School of Art
In Great Oak Hall. Free on admission.
Admission to arboretum: adult £7, conc, £6 child £2.
APRIL
Monday 6-Friday 10 April - Easter eggtastic challenge – 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.
Admission to arboretum: adult £7, conc, £6 child £2.
Wednesday 8-Tuesday 14 April - Eeles family pottery exhibition and sale
In the Great Oak Hall. Free on admission.
Admission to arboretum: adult £7, conc, £6 child £2.
Sunday 12 April - Wood sale
Sale of Westonbirt wood. Proceeds to the Friends of Westonbirt, cash or cheques only.
10am-1pm. Free on admission.
Admission to arboretum: adult £7, conc, £6 child £2.
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.
Admission to arboretum: adult £7, conc, £6 child £2.
Sunday 26 April - Feed the Children Wellie walk
11.30am. For information, go to www.feedthechildren.org.uk
Wednesday 29 April - Advanced digital photography - Workshop
An intermediate course looking at settings, image management and composition etc. On location in the arboretum.
£95.00 (including arboretum admission).
Booking essential. Tel: 01285 653069
For further information about Westonbirt Arboretum and its events:
Tel: 01666 880220 (9am-5pm), visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
Westonbirt is open all year round - from 9am-5pm. See individual events for admission prices for the Arboretum. 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. Image of Westonbirt Arboretum 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.
Gail McKenzie
Communications Officer
Westonbirt - The National Arboretum
Tetbury
Gloucestershire
GL8 8QS
Direct Line: 01666 881 207
www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt