Bodenham Arboretum
BEST FOR
Ages 3-16
ENTRY
from £5
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Kidderminster
What it’s like
Fifteen pools, an island to spot from the path, and a working farm to walk round on gravel trails that mostly cope with a buggy.
Walking is the whole point here. You wander between fifteen pools with a constant water supply, cross towards Giants Island in the big pool, and swing past the working farm to see the animals. There's no play equipment or big attraction to tick off, it's a proper wander, so it suits kids who are happy looking at ducks and water rather than climbing something.
Most of the paths are gravelled and cope fine with a pushchair, though the site is honest that some stretches get rough or muddy after rain, and small-wheeled wheelchairs will find parts of it hard going. Wear proper walking shoes rather than trainers if the weather's been wet. A visit can be a couple of hours or stretch into a full day depending on how much of the grounds you take on, which makes it decent value once you're past the entry price.
Entry is £5 a child and £8 for an adult, or £26 for a family of two adults and four kids, which softens the blow a bit. Food is served from 10am to 3pm with hot baguettes from midday and a carvery on Wednesdays and Sundays, and you're welcome to bring your own drinks even if you're eating in the restaurant. If you'd rather picnic, there are tables dotted round the grounds, just not on the terrace or in the visitor centre itself, that's reserved for people buying food there.
Parking's free, dogs are welcome on leads, and during Trails or half term the gates open an hour earlier at 9am. If you fancy coming back, there's an annual pass that also gets you into two other arboretums, which is worth knowing if this becomes a regular Sunday thing.
What’s on here
- FRI9
Forest Fridays for Under 5s
14 more dates
- MON12
Fused Glass Christmas Tree Workshop
10:00 · from £75
- FRI23
Torchlit Pumpkin Walk
8 more dates
- SAT24
Daytime Pumpkin Walk
8 more dates
- WED28
Autumn Wilderness Explorers
2 more dates
- MON9
Fused Glass Woodland Panel Workshop
10:00 - 13:00 · from £75
- SAT28
Bodenham's Christmas Trails
36 more dates
- THU3
Christmas Thursday Eve Dining
18:00 · from £30 · 14 more dates
- FRI4
Breakfast with Santa
15 more dates
- FRI18
Carols by Candlelight
2 more dates
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 3 to 16, especially kids happy with a proper wander
- Booking
- Recommended for restaurant
- Parking
- Free parking on site, including spaces for Blue Badge holders
- How long to allow
- A few hours to a full day depending on walks chosen
- Food
- On-site restaurant and café serving home-cooked food
- Picnics
- Picnic tables around the arboretum for own food and drinks
- Pushchairs
- A large proportion has gravelled pathways suitable for pushchairs
- Wheelchairs
- Natural terrain may be challenging
- Dogs
- On leads welcome
- Worth knowing
- Annual Pass valid for 12 months includes free return visits and entrance to The Living Rainforest in Berkshire
- Wear proper walking shoes, not just trainers, if it's been wet
- Same-day restaurant bookings should go in before 11am to guarantee a laid table
- Smoking is only allowed in the car park, not the grounds or visitor centre
- An annual pass gets you free return visits plus entry to two other arboretums
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£5 for a child aged 3 to 16, £8 for an adult, and £26 for a family of two adults and up to four kids. There's a lower winter price between 2 January and 12 February.
Do we need to book?
No, you can just turn up and pay at the entrance. Booking is only really needed for the restaurant, and same-day tables should be requested before 11am.
Is it OK for a toddler in a pushchair?
Most paths are gravelled and pushchair-friendly, but some stretches get rough or muddy in wet weather. Decent shoes help more than you'd think.
What is there for wheelchair users?
There's a concession rate of £5 for wheelchair users and their carer, and a paved slope up to the café and restaurant. The natural terrain can still be tricky in places, especially for small-wheeled chairs.
What's there to see?
Fifteen pools with a constant water supply, islands including Giants Island in the big pool, and a working farm with animals to look at along the way.
Can we bring a picnic?
There are picnic tables around the grounds for your own food and drinks. You can't eat your own food on the terrace or inside the visitor centre or lakeside room though.
What food is on site?
A restaurant and café serve drinks, light bites and lunches from 10am to 3pm, with hot roast meat baguettes from midday and a carvery on Wednesdays and Sundays. You can bring your own drinks to the restaurant with no corkage charge.
Is there parking?
Free parking on site including Blue Badge spaces.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs on leads are welcome throughout.
How long do people stay?
Anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day, depending on how much of the grounds you walk.
Are there discounts for groups?
Groups of 25 or more get a 50p reduction per person, and schools can book visits directly.
What are the opening hours?
10am to 5pm daily, with a 9am opening during Trails and half term. It's closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
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