SUMMER DAYS AT WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM
 Summer’s coming and events are hotting up at Westonbirt the National Arboretum... giant wood sculpting at the August Festival of the Tree, Bug World family days, green woodworking and photography courses, concerts, walks and talks.
Let the kids run free, learn some new skills and seek out shade under the glorious trees at Westonbirt Arboretum, managed by the Forestry Commission. Soak up a summer evening concert, have a relaxed lunch at Maples restaurant or picnic on the Downs. Suitably refreshed, stroll the Westonbirt summer trail and discover trees in all their green seasonal glory simply pick up a trail leaflet at the Great Oak Hall on arrival.
New this summer, there are secret spots around the Old Arboretum where natural play areas have been created from recycled Westonbirt wood. Here, children can build their own woodland den, jump across tree stump stepping stones and make up their own wild games.
MAY
Tuesday 27 – Thursday 29 May
Woodland Gardens Family Event
Colourful (and possibly smelly) wildflower and animal safari discovering the non-woody bits of Westonbirt.
10.30 – 4.30pm. Free on admission.
Admission to Arboretum: adults £7, conc. £6, child £2.
JUNE
Sunday 8 June (also 13 July & 10 August)
Wood Sale
Westonbirt wood on sale (held on the second Sunday of every month). Proceeds to the Friends of Westonbirt.
10am 1pm. Free on admission.
Admission to Arboretum: adult £7, conc. £6, child £2.
Sunday 15 June
Hearing Dogs Charity Walk
Two-mile walk through Silk Wood.
11.30am. Adults £5, children no charge.
Tel: 010656 872707
Summer Evening Concerts
Friday 20 June – The Zutons with guests Mystery Jets and Noah and the Whale. £26.00 plus booking fee.
Saturday 21 June – SOLD OUT Crowded House
Sunday 22 June – SOLD OUT Status Quo
Tickets available at www.forestry.gov.uk/music or tel: 01842 814612. Tickets also available in the Forest Shop (in person only)
JULY
Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 July
Green Woodworking Weekend
Hands-on 2-day course teaching traditional woodworking skills.
9.30am – 5pm
£95. Craft Shelter, Silk Wood. Booking essential: 01453 753 452/ 0781 7878 737.
Sunday 13 July
Wood sale
Westonbirt wood on sale (held on the second Sunday of every month). Proceeds to the Friends of Westonbirt.
10am 1pm. Free on admission.
Admission to Arboretum: adult £7, conc. £6, child £2.
Thursday 17 July
Digital Photography Workshop
For beginners. Spark your creativity and improve composition on location in the arboretum.
£40. (including arboretum admission). Booking essential: 01285 653069.
Summer Evening Concerts
Friday 18 July – Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with Gilson Lavis, special guest vocalist Marc Almond and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall.
£30.00 plus booking fee. Tickets available at www.forestry.gov.uk/music or telephone 01842 814612. Tickets also available in the Forest Shop (in person only)
Saturday 19 July – SOLD OUT Katherine Jenkins and the National Symphony Orchestra. Plus special guests Blake.
Monday 21 – Saturday 26 July
Make a Wooden Chair Workshop
Six-day green woodworking course.
£250. Booking essential: 01373 836 051/ 07793 823093.
Saturday 26 July
Plant Hunters Walk
Tales of remarkable plant hunters and the incredible plants they brought home. 11am. Booking essential: 01666 880220.
Admission to Arboretum: adult £7, conc. £6, child £2.
AUGUST
Tuesday 5 Thursday 7 August
Bug World Family Event
Adopt a bug’s eye view of the arboretum, and make a home for garden insects.
10.30am 4.30pm. Free on admission.
Admission to Arboretum: adult £7. conc. £6, child £2.
Saturday 9 August
Champion Trees Walk
Meet the champions of Westonbirt the tallest and largest trees in Britain. Booking essential: 01666 880220. Free on admission.
Admission to Arboretum: adult £7, conc. £6, child £2.
Sunday 10 August
Wood Sale
Westonbirt wood on sale (held on the second Sunday of every month). Proceeds to the Friends of Westonbirt.
10am 1pm. Free on admission.
Admission to Arboretum: adult £7, conc. £6, child £2.
Wednesday 13 & Friday 15 August
Holford Heritage Tour
A rare opportunity for a guided tour of the residence and gardens of Westonbirt’s creator Robert Holford.
10am – 3.30pm. £24.00 including lunch. Booking essential: 01666 881200. (Other dates in July available for group booking only.)
Monday 18 – Monday 25 August
Festival of the Tree
Exciting events celebrating the wonderful world of trees. Week-long giant tree sculpting ‘Sculptree’ plus family events – including wand making, rides and William Woodworm trail. From Friday 22 to Monday 25, a tented crafts village with 150 exhibitors demonstrating skills and selling artisan wooden products.
Admission to Arboretum: adult £8, conc. £7, child £3.
For further information about Westonbirt Arboretum and its events:
Tel: 01666 880220 or visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
Westonbirt is open all year round from 9am-8pm, or dusk if earlier.
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 in summer attached – including Festival of the Tree. Please credit: Forestry Commission, and for Festival of the Tree sculpture image: Paul Groom/Forestry Commission.
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 www.forestry.gov.uk
e-mail: gail.mckenzie@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |