The first signs of autumn are beginning to appear at Westonbirt Arboretum, where the Japanese maple collection will once again take centre stage as the trees prepare for their annual display of colour.
For many visitors, the changing maples are one of the great pleasures of a visit to Westonbirt, with the collection producing a remarkable range of reds, oranges, yellows and everything in between.
This year, visitors are being invited to look at the trees a little differently, with a new autumn programme exploring The Magic of Maples from 7 September.
At the heart of the programme is the Perfectly Imperfect trail in Silk Wood. Designed for visitors of all ages, the immersive trail explores nine Japanese aesthetic concepts, encouraging people to slow down and experience the arboretum through a different lens.
Rather than simply walking through the trees, visitors are encouraged to explore with curiosity and use all their senses, discovering favourite places and individual trees along the way.
The autumn programme also includes an outdoor exhibition of Haiku poetry, created in partnership with the British Haiku Society.
Earlier this year, Westonbirt invited poets from around the world to take part in an online competition, challenging them to capture the magic of the maples in just a few carefully chosen words.
The winning poems will now be displayed among the trees, offering visitors a chance to pause and reflect as they explore the autumn landscape.
There will also be plenty for families to get involved with during the school holidays, with a series of free events included with admission.
Meet the Machines takes place on Saturday, 19 September, from 10.30am to 3.30pm, giving children the chance to see some of the vehicles used to look after Westonbirt’s trees. There will even be opportunities to climb aboard some of the larger machinery.
On Saturday, 17 October, Celebration of Maples will combine the changing colours with creative poetry and printing activities, running from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
There will then be Sensory Activity Walks on Monday, 26 October and Friday, 30 October, offering families a guided, maple-themed walk with storytelling along the way.
From Tuesday, 27 October to Thursday, 29 October, Maple Magic will give children the chance to search for fallen leaves and create their own leaf lanterns.
There are also some familiar faces waiting in the woods.
Families can venture into the deep dark wood to look for the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s Child, while the Room on the Broom trail offers an interactive adventure packed with themed activities, forest facts and hands-on fun.
Trail packs cost £4 and can be collected from the Westonbirt Welcome Building or Shop.
For those wanting to discover more about the arboretum itself, three free guided walks take place each day, offering an opportunity to learn about Westonbirt’s history, trees and autumn landscape.
October and November are among the busiest times of year at Westonbirt, so visitors are strongly advised to pre-book their visit to guarantee admission.
Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum members can enjoy the autumn events without paying admission.
Whether it is the spectacle of the maples, a family adventure through the woods or simply the chance to find a quiet spot among the trees, Westonbirt is preparing to put on one of its most colourful shows of the year.
