January is a time of renewal and refreshing, when resolutions are set, and plans are made. It’s also a time when life can be weighed down by the January blues, but science shows exercise, time outdoors, winter sun, and the blue daytime light are all mood boosters. Not to mention the latest research which highlights one of the best mood boosters is actually walking in the rain!

Westonbirt Arboretum is just the tonic, offering open vistas and quiet nooks to enjoy the great outdoors at your own pace. January is also one of the quietest months to visit, which often means you’ll have your favourite corner, all to yourself.

Member Tuesdays

As if visiting Westonbirt wasn’t enough, why not share it with your favourite relative? All through January (and February and March), you can take advantage of Member Tuesdays, when you can bring an adult relative for free as part of your membership; one per cardholder if you have a joint membership. That means, on a Tuesday, a single membership includes you, an adult relative, and four of your children/grandchildren (age 18 and under) free of charge – a whopping five people. If you have joint membership, you can add a second adult relative for free bringing the total to six. What are you waiting for?

Kickstarting those New Year habits

Did you know, 90% of New Year resolutions will fail by early February, mostly because people don’t like what they’ve resolved to do or find their goals overwhelming. Instead of setting a good intention, why not work on developing a new habit, which is far more likely to stick long-term?

We can’t think of anything better than Nordic Walking. It’s a social, enjoyable, walk through the woods, using techniques that exercise the body and calm the mind. Nordic Walking works a whopping 90% of your skeletal muscles, leading Public Health England to recommend it for muscle and bone strengthening and balance. Even better, there’s an introduction course starting on 08 January, exclusively for members of The Friends. Once you’ve got the techniques sorted, there are guided Nordic walks every Tuesday and Wednesday, or you can put them into practice yourself.

Enjoy a pick-me-up

Find your new favourite ethical brands and local artisans with a visit to The Shop. Stacked full with your favourite goodies and some tantalising new delights, it’s worth a trip inside this treasure trove. Throughout January, the shop is open from 10am to 3pm every day, except 08 & 09 January when it is closed for a stock take.

Even better, every penny you spend in the shop goes back into the charity, helping fund conservation and participation projects at Westonbirt.

Bond with your four-legged bestie

If you enjoyed the new Wallace & Gromit film on Christmas Day, then why not embrace your inner Wallace & Gromit and head to the Forest Walkies Trail in Silk Wood? As well as offering a lovely walk around the arboretum, the trail is packed with cheeky challenges designed to build your bond with your pup. Can they sit for 30 “Gromits”?

Pick up your Forest Walkies pack in The Westonbirt Shop.

Guided Walks

From 04 January, daily guided walks around the arboretum are back. Join the knowledgeable guides as they introduce you to things you might never have seen or spotted, while sharing some of the fascinating history behind the design of the arboretum. These walks should be on your ‘must do’ list several times a year.

Discover Westonbirt’s wonders

As well as the daily guided walks, Westonbirt’s expert volunteers also deliver a schedule of Discovery walks, designed to showcase a unique side of Westonbirt. In January:

As a member of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, you have unlimited access to these awe-inspiring walks.