Westonbirt's Brand New Play Areas! Where Families and Nature Connect...
We’re excited to announce a thrilling revamp of Westonbirt’s play areas designed to ignite a love of nature in children of all ages! Supported by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum and Forestry England, this exciting project promises an immersive and inclusive play experience nestled within the arboretum's stunning landscape.
Emma Griffiths, CEO of The Friends comments “Supporting and helping fund development in the arboretum is what we are all about; supporting them to improve connection with the trees and underpinning vital conservation work in the collection. We are excited that the first phase of play has been funded, and we’re looking now to fundraise for phases two and three. The scope and plan for phase one will seek to ensure every child is included, with space for multigenerational play as well. We’re excited about the contribution we are making to future enjoyment of the arboretum.”
Nature-Inspired Adventures Await!
Phase one developed two unique play zones in the Old Arboretum. Imagine your child navigating an elevated boardwalk, scaling tree nets with breathtaking canopy views, or whispering secrets through speaking tubes that mimic the fascinating root structure of fungi!
Designed for Every Climber, Every Dreamer
Accessibility is at the heart of this project. Ramp access ensures all children can explore freely, while a variety of play options cater to different abilities and age groups. The quiet play space with its dedicated observation point is a haven for children on the autism spectrum, allowing a smooth transition into the playful environment.
Benefits Beyond the Fun
More than just a good time, these play areas nurture crucial development in children. From building confidence and creativity to fostering social skills and resilience, this innovative space encourages exploration and a lifelong connection with nature.
Neil
Seegobin, Project Manager at Westonbirt Arboretum said: “Westonbirt Arboretum offers
the ultimate natural playground and thanks to The Friends and Forestry England,
this project has provided us with scope for more ambitious pieces to encourage further
interactive and exploratory experiences through nature, with the whole family. Through
our new innovative and inspiring play offer, we’re updating and keeping
experiences fresh for young visitors and we hope this in turn helps generate
new visitors and more re-visits.
“Visitor numbers have grown significantly since installation of the Treetop Walkway and investment is needed to keep the family audience engaged and to entice new visitors to explore the arboretum. This development enables us to widen our offer to visitors and this new play also provides an inclusive experience. This builds on our wider work through the community programme and other on-site changes to make Westonbirt more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience.”
Join the Adventure!
Phase one was completed in late August 2024, with two more exciting phases planned for 2025 and 2026. These later phases will include new zones in the dog-friendly Silk Wood and a reimagined Exploratree play area for younger explorers. The Friends has agreed to fundraise to deliver phases two and three, and is seeking donations through grants and private donors.
Interested in being part of unlocking a world of wonder for children at Westonbirt to create lasting memories? Get in touch today...
