Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum

Make Westonbirt Your Summertime Escape

Posted: July 1, 2024 at 09:41 am

Sun's out, fun's out at Westonbirt Arboretum! This sprawling Gloucestershire gem offers a treasure trove of activities for nature lovers, families, and anyone seeking an unforgettable summer escape.

Adventure Awaits: Explore Westonbirt's Hidden Depths

Uncover the arboretum's secrets with a guided walk. Choose from daily general tours or delve deeper with themed Discovery Walks on Saturdays. Feeling more in tune with nature? The Sensing Nature Walks (Fridays) will awaken all your senses. Learn about the vibrant wildflowers on the Wild Flower Guided Walk (first Tuesday of the month).

Guided walk

Westonbirt Guided Walk: Daily - 11:00am & 2:00pm

Discovery Walks: Every Sat - 10:30am

Sensing Nature Guided Walks: Every Friday from Apr - Sep - 11:30am

Wild Flower Guided Walk: First Tuesday of the month, Apr - Sep - 10.30am (booking required)

Family Fun Days Out in Gloucestershire (Membership Makes it Budget-Friendly!)

Looking for free entertainment that keeps the whole crew engaged? Look no further! Join the Olympic Gruffalo quest (July 23rd - September 16th) to find hidden characters and conquer sporty challenges. Fuel the party spirit with a Gruffalo Party Trail pack from the shop (£4).

Coming this August, explore the elements with themed activity days (mud, wind, sticks, sunshine, water!).

Children playing

Olympic Gruffalo fun

Embark on a quest to find hidden Gruffalo character signs and enjoy some sporty challenges. This free activity will run from 23 July to 16 September. Pick up an activity leaflet before you set off from the Welcome Building. Get the party started with a Gruffalo Party Trail pack

Pick up your pack for just £4 from the Westonbirt shop, packed with fun things to do on your party adventure.

Music in Nature: Sat 20 Jul - 10:30 - 3:30pm

Earth - The Art of Mud: Tue 06 - Thu 08 Aug - 10:30 - 3:30pm

Wind – Blown Away: Tue 13 Aug – Thu 15 Aug - 10:30 - 3:30pm

Fun with Sticks: Sat 17 Aug - 10:30 - 3:30pm

Sunshine & Shadows: Tue 20 - Thu 22 Aug - 10:30am - 3:30pm

Water – Amazing Journeys: Tue 27 - Thu 29 Aug - 10:30am - 3:30pm

Endless Summer Activities for All Ages

Let imaginations run wild with the Green Games summer trail - available now!

Feeling adventurous? Try the brand new Escape Time at the Arboretum – can you solve the puzzles and escape the Silk Wood time warp? (ages 9+). Coming mid-July.

Family playing games

Escape Time at the Arboretum trail: Brand new trail opening mid-July

Will you be able to escape from the Silk Wood time warp? Can you solve the puzzles, unlock the boxes and successfully make it back to the present day? This summer pit your wits against our Escape time at the Arboretum trail, which transports you to different times in Silk Wood’s past. The only way back to the present is to solve the puzzle at each location. Grab all the clues to enable you to crack the final puzzle and get you back home to reality…Suitable for ages 9yrs+ Trail located in dog friendly Silk Wood. Collect trail leaflet at the Welcome Building.

Green Games family trail: Wednesday 05 June – Wednesday 04 September

As you explore the Old Arboretum and Silk Wood this summer, look out for eight games that invite you to play together. Use your imagination, test your memory, beat your opponents and improve your aim!

Unwind and Reconnect with Nature in Gloucestershire

Escape the hustle and bustle on the Wellbeing Trail, a calming walk designed to ease your mind and spirit.

Wellbeing Trail

Take some time for you on our wellbeing trail at Westonbirt Arboretum

Spending time amongst the trees and really noticing nature is scientifically proven to boost our mental and physical health. Follow the trail to take a mindful walk through the arboretum that invites you to really relax.

Learn, Create, Discover: Westonbirt Arboretum Has It All

Immerse yourselves in traditional crafts at workshops like Willow Sculpture Making or Spoon Carving. Budding naturalists can explore the wonders of Wild Westonbirt (third Saturday of the month), and little ones can get their hands dirty at the Tots & Twigs Forest School.

Music workshop

Nordic walking with the Nordic Nomad: Every Tue & Wed - 10am - 11.15am

Windsor Chair Making Course: Dates during 2024 - 9:00am - 5:00pm

Willow Sculpture Workshop: Sat 06 Jul, Sat 14 Sep, Sat 12 Oct, Fri 22 Nov, Sat 14 Dec - 10:00am - 4:00pm

Spoon Carving: Sat 27 Jul, Sat 21 Sep - 10:00am - 4:30pm

Freedom In the Forest, Ecstatic Dance and Cacao Ceremony: Sat 31 Aug - 1.30pm - 4pm

Exhibitions: A Feast for the Senses

Immerse yourselves in nature-inspired art with captivating exhibitions throughout August.

Exhibition

Handmade Nature - Fatpoppycat and Ashleigh Proud Exhibition: Sat 24 - Mon 26 Aug - 10am - 5pm

Vivid Vistas - Landscapes by Andy Walker Exhibition: Fri 30 Aug - Mon 02 Sep - 10am - 5pm

Unforgettable Evenings Under the Stars

Experience the magic of Forest Live, a series of open-air concerts featuring top artists like Gregory Porter, Anne-Marie, The Corrs, Van Morrison, and Nile Rodgers & CHIC (separate tickets required).

Forest Live

Gregory Porter: 4 July 2024 - 6pm

Anne-Marie: 5 July 2024 - 6pm

The Corrs: 6 July 2024 - 5pm

Van Morrison: 7 July 2024 - 5pm

Nile Rodgers & CHIC: 12 July 2024 - 5pm

Westonbirt Membership: Your Key to Endless Summer Adventures!

Did you know membership grants you free, unlimited entry throughout the year, plus free entry for kids for up to 4 children/grandchildren aged 18 and under? It's the perfect way to maximise your summer fun and explore the arboretum's wonders year-round. Plus you get 10% off on spends over £10 in the Westonbirt gift shop with profits going back to caring for the arboretum’s tree collection.

Find out more about membership…

Children playing

Make Westonbirt Arboretum Your Summertime Escape in Gloucestershire!

Westonbirt Arboretum offers something for everyone this July. Explore, learn, create, and make memories that will last a lifetime! Don't forget, a Westonbirt membership unlocks a world of benefits and endless summer adventures for the whole family!