Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, has unveiled a new way for visitors to explore its oldest woodland area—without the need for a guidebook or map. A brand-new digital walking trail has just launched on the Go Jauntly app, inviting curious minds to wander through the centuries-old Silk Wood and discover its secrets using a blend of history, sound, and storytelling.
Dating back to 1292 on historical maps, Silk Wood is one of Westonbirt’s most significant ancient landscapes. Now, thanks to a free digital experience developed through Westonbirt’s Silk Wood Community Planting Project, visitors can take a self-led journey through time and nature alike.
The trail—simply titled Westonbirt Arboretum’s Silk Wood—is hosted on the award-winning Go Jauntly platform, which is known for helping people reconnect with the outdoors. It’s brimming with photographs, audio features, and detailed write-ups, making it ideal for families, casual walkers, and nature lovers who want to learn about the woodland’s history, biodiversity, and conservation efforts.
A forest with a future
But this walk is about more than admiring trees. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at Westonbirt’s ongoing battle against Ash Dieback—a fungal disease that’s devastated woodlands across the UK. The arboretum’s response has been to replant and rewild the affected area, and in the past two years alone, more than 6,700 new trees have been introduced by local community volunteers. This forms part of a wider mission to create a more resilient forest for generations to come.
Holly Firks-Matthews, Visitor Attraction Manager, believes the new digital experience will complement Westonbirt’s existing walks:
“It’s fantastic we can now offer a digital trail alongside our in-person guided walks and family activities. The best part is, it can be downloaded and used offline, which is handy when signal is patchy.”
Meanwhile, Go Jauntly’s co-founder, Hanna Sutch, is keen to highlight the importance of blending technology with environmental awareness:
“We’re thrilled to work with Westonbirt. This trail combines storytelling and history with the beauty of nature, helping people understand why protecting ancient woodland is so vital.”
The free Go Jauntly app is available on iOS and Android. Simply search for ‘Westonbirt’ to find the Silk Wood walk and get started. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, this trail offers something new—connecting people with the land, one step at a time.
To explore more, visit:
forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretum/go-jauntly-trail-walk-westonbirt-arboretums-silk-wood
