Blog

Thanks to the generosity of our Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum (FOWA) members, we were able to help fund transport for a very special wellbeing day at Westonbirt Arboretum.

At the Silkwood Community Planting Project, groups come together to volunteer their time, planting and caring for trees. Swindon Mind, has become frequent visitors to the project, spending time in nature to promote mental wellbeing.

Each month we’re bringing you a profile of one of the UK’s native tree species in the Silk Wood Community Planting Project – this month it’s the Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa).

Celebrate the season and make the most of your membership this month there’s much to discover!...

Essential repairs are being carried out on The Kitchen restaurant roof this winter, which means some changes to dining at Westonbirt.

The Silk Wood Community Planting Project Team (SWCPPT) introduce a new technique that will shape the way they plant trees and create resilient woodlands.

Enjoy the last of the fiery foliage on guided walks, celebrate the season and make the most of your membership this month.

This month’s native tree is the Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis), an indicator of ancient woodlands and one of the UK’s rarest natives.

The shop is brimming with autumnal treasures this October!...

As October unfolds, Westonbirt Arboretum bursts into autumn colour. Members can enjoy unlimited entry, guided and discovery walks, hands-on workshops, family trails, and special events. Capture the season and make the most of your membership this vibrant month.

As autumn colours sweep through the arboretum, we’re celebrating the shuttle bus’s very first season. Discover how this new service has transformed visits for families and those with mobility challenges, and find out when it will return after a well-earned winter rest.

As autumn settles over Silk Wood, the modest Field Maple, Britain’s only native maple, takes the spotlight. Its golden leaves light up the paths as dramatically as exotic maples elsewhere. Learn more about this humble native, another one of the newly planted species by our community project in Silk Wood.

Westonbirt’s new play area now features a community-designed weather vane, unveiled on 26th September. Winning designer Natalie Chambers drew inspiration from her children exploring nature. Runner-up Lauren Metcalfe and highly commended Hartley, aged 6, are also celebrated. Click to find out more.

As the days shorten and the leaves begin their magnificent transformation, September is the perfect time to visit Westonbirt and take full advantage of your membership benefits. With a stunning array of activities, from tranquil walks to hands-on workshops, there's a unique experience waiting for you around every corner.

We’re very excited about a plethora of new books on trees, just published in the past few weeks. Every purchase you make helps support the arboretum, so you can expand your library while helping to maintain Westonbirt's world-class tree collection.