It’s that time of year again when Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, swaps its summer greens for a dazzling palette of reds, golds and fiery oranges – and this year visitors are invited not just to enjoy the show, but to let the season spark their creativity.
Running until the end of November, Forestry England’s Westonbirt has put together a programme that celebrates autumn through art, imagination and exploration. With sketchbook and pencils in hand, guests are encouraged to look beyond the bold sweeps of colour and capture the finer details of the trees that make Westonbirt world famous.
A special highlight is an outdoor exhibition on The Downs, marking the centenary of sister site Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest. Created by the Bedgebury Florilegium Society, it features 18 exquisite botanical illustrations of tree species found at both sites. To accompany the exhibition, visitors can follow the “Drawn to Nature” trail or “The Art of Autumn” family trail in the Old Arboretum.
Alongside the riot of autumn colour, a calendar of free activities (after admission) adds even more to the season:
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Drawn to Nature Autumn Trail – daily until 30 November, exploring nine tree species with illustrations to inspire.
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Spectacular Seeds Discovery Day – Sat 20 Sept, with fun science for children aged 3+.
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Fabulous Fungi Discovery Day – Sat 18 Oct, family-friendly fungi exploration.
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Autumn’s Wonders Family Days – 28–30 Oct, half-term activities uncovering the science of colour change.
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Guided Autumn Family Walks – Mon 27 Oct & Fri 31 Oct.
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Community Woodland Volunteering Day – Sat 11 Oct, helping re-plant woodland affected by ash dieback.
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Autumn Coppice Market – 25–26 Oct, with crafts, demonstrations and traditional coppicing skills.
For those simply seeking a slower pace, Westonbirt’s daily guided walks will reveal seasonal secrets tucked away among its 15,000 trees.
Pre-booking is strongly advised during October and November, when the arboretum is at its busiest. Members of Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum enjoy free entry to all events.
More information: forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/autumn
