Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
ENTRY
from £5
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Tetbury
What it’s like
Treetop walkway, a Gruffalo trail to spot through the woods, and enough space between trails that nobody's queuing for anything.
The big draw here is the Tree Top Walkway, up above the canopy, and it's the sort of thing you save for last because everything after it feels a bit flat. Younger kids get set on the Gruffalo spotting trail winding through the trees, and there are play areas and paths beyond that if you've still got energy left in the legs by mid-afternoon.
It isn't cheap for a day out. Adults are £14 on weekdays, jumping to £19 at weekends and bank holidays, though under-5s go in free and kids 5-18 are a flat £5 whichever day you pick. If you come by public transport (the Robin Bus or the number 69 from Stroud both run out here) you get a decent chunk off the adult ticket too, which is worth knowing if you haven't already committed to driving.
Gates are open 9am to 4.30pm every day, so it's not a rushed morning visit, you can genuinely make a day of it. There's a restaurant on site doing food across the same hours, and dogs are welcome both on the grounds and in the café, which is a nice touch if you're bringing the whole crew including the four-legged one. Buggies aren't an issue on the main paths, and there's parking on site along with mobility scooter hire if that's useful.
Autumn is when it gets properly busy. Between late September and mid-November they strongly advise booking ahead to guarantee getting in, so that's not a weekend to just turn up on a whim if the colours are what you're after.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 4:30pm
- Booking
- Pre-booking strongly advised to guarantee entry during autumn Fri 25 Sep to Sun 15 Nov
- Parking
- On-site parking available. Coach parking and drop-off near Welcome Building
- Food
- Restaurant on site, open 9:30am-4:30pm daily
- Pushchairs
- Children's scooters welcome if handlebars below 75cm for children aged 7 and under
- Wheelchairs
- Mobility scooter and Trike wheelchair hire available
- Dogs
- Allowed on site and in café
- Getting there by bus or train
- Kemble and Yate railway stations ca. 20 minutes by taxi
- Worth knowing
- Kids go free with Friends of Westonbirt membership, plus unlimited visits from £30 a year
- Weekend adult tickets jump to £19, a fiver more than weekday
- Autumn (late Sept to mid-Nov) is booking-advised, not a walk-up weekend
- Children's scooters are fine for under-7s, but adult and older-kid cycling isn't allowed on the grounds
- A Friends membership from £30 a year gets unlimited visits and free entry for kids
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£14 for an adult on weekdays, £19 at weekends and bank holidays. Kids aged 5 to 18 are £5 regardless of the day, and under-5s are free.
Do we need to book ahead?
Not usually, but during autumn peak season, late September through to mid-November, it's strongly advised to guarantee you get in.
What are the opening hours?
9am to 4.30pm every day, including last entry at 4.30pm. It's closed on Christmas Day.
Is there anywhere to eat?
There's a restaurant on site open 9.30am to 4.30pm daily.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are allowed around the grounds and even in the café.
Is there parking?
Yes, there's on-site parking, plus coach parking and a drop-off point near the Welcome Building. Motorhomes and caravans can park too, though not overnight.
Can we bring bikes or scooters?
Adult and older-child cycling isn't allowed within the arboretum itself, though bikes under 70cm are fine. Children's scooters are welcome for under-7s if the handlebars are below 75cm.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There's a mobility scooter and trike wheelchair for hire, plus accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility. A personal assistant gets in free while accompanying a visitor.
Is there a discount for getting there by public transport?
Arriving by the Robin Bus, the number 69 from Stroud, or via Kemble or Yate stations gets you money off the adult ticket.
Is there a cheaper way to visit regularly?
Friends of Westonbirt membership starts from £30 a year for unlimited visits, and kids go free on it too.
What can kids actually do there?
The Tree Top Walkway above the canopy, a Gruffalo spotting trail through the woods, and various play areas and trails beyond that.
Featured in 1 Huddlepin list
See all Gardens & Arboretums in Bristol · Things to do in Bristol
MAKE A DAY OF IT
