Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury

...of our trips was to Westonbirt Arboretum as it was not too far a drive from Bristol and a good place for the kids to have a run around and picnic, also my mum had some vouchers for money off the entry fee, so it was good value too!

Westonbirt is one of many forest type/wooded areas looked after by the Forestry Commission, this is probably one of the smallest sites that I have visited, but they all seem to be well managed.

...9am til 5pm Monday to Friday
8am til 5pm Saturday and Sunday

(times are subject to change with dusk and seasonal changes)

Adults £5 Children £2 during winter
Adults £7 Children £2 during spring/summer
Adults £8 Children £3 during Autumn
(Children under 5 go free)

Check out the website for further details of seasons www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry and special events and prices.
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This summer holiday while I was visiting my parents in Bristol with my 2 year old and 4 year old sons we decided to take a few day trips.

The first of our trips was to Westonbirt Arboretum as it was not too far a drive from Bristol and a good place for the kids to have a run around and picnic, also my mum had some vouchers for money off the entry fee, so it was good value too!

Westonbirt is one of many forest type/wooded areas looked after by the Forestry Commission, this is probably one of the smallest sites that I have visited, but they all seem to be well managed.

Prices and opening times?
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9am til 5pm Monday to Friday
8am til 5pm Saturday and Sunday

(times are subject to change with dusk and seasonal changes)

Adults £5 Children £2 during winter
Adults £7 Children £2 during spring/summer
Adults £8 Children £3 during Autumn
(Children under 5 go free)

Check out the website for further details of seasons www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry and special events and prices.

You will know when you have reached the right car park as there will be a man in a little shed collecting your entry money. Cash and cards are accepted and you cannot get in unless you pay the man.

We missed the festival of the tree, which was on the following week, where lots of activities were being held, also the entry prices were increased.

What is there to see/do?
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This was my first visit and I wasn’t sure what to expect. As you pull into the car park you will see lots of grass and paths, this is where you need to park (just follow the person in front and park next to them!). As you first enter the main area you will find a large map on a board showing you where things are such as walking/bike routes, the shops and parks, and right at the entrance is a fair sized restaurant should you need sustenance whilst visiting.

I cannot comment on the restaurant as we took a picnic and didn’t need anything else.

There was a lovely park made of all natural things like wood and hemp rope, with nature being the main theme to the climbing frame and discovery drawers. My boys loved this and there were enough different things to keep them entertained for at least 20 minuets.

Next to the play park is a small toilet block, I didn’t visit the toilets on this trip but my eldest did and he said they were ok.

In front of the play park is a very large open grassed area great for picnics, there are also a few benches where you could eat if you forgot your blanket.

There is also a children’s education centre. We didn’t go in as it was quite busy but a lady was outside handing out maps for the children’s walk, which we decided would be a nice ‘little’ walk before we had our picnic. Be warned that the kids walk is actually quite long, it took us over an hour to complete, even going at quite a good pace. Also the maps were a little big vague so it would be easy to get a little bit lost, there are lots of signs about telling you where you are until you actually want one, but in my experience all walking routes seem to be like this.

The children’s walk is an easy route to follow with a pushchair and there are lots of things along the way to entertain the kids, such as a small play area with little huts to sit in, balancing logs, tree stump paths and a bridge (it did say can you wake the troll up? But to be honest if my boys didn’t manage it no one will!).

Whilst on our walk we noticed that most of the trees had labels on them so you could easily see what type of tree it was. This kept the kids busy as they wanted to look at all the labels. The main theme of the arboretum was obviously trees, so if you like trees this is the place for you.

There is also the obligatory gift shop, don’t go in unless you have at least £1 as the cheapest things were probably the pencils around that price. They sell lots of lovely but expensive nicnaks some linked to the forest others nothing to do with it but pricey none the less.

Would I recommend a visit?
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Yes I would, I think that the prices are fair and it’s a great place to let the kids run around and get involved in nature.

They are even happy for you to take home any of the leaves and fir cones you find on the floor, all they ask is that you don’t take anything from the plants, just the bits fallen on the floor. You could get your children to collect leaves and make a lovely collage when you get home!
 

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