Briony Buckell and her family enjoy a return visit to one of the country’s most beautiful woodland areas
We have been visitors to Westonbirt for years and have enjoyed witnessing its development along the way, and now we have children they also love exploring with us. Ever since the STIHL Tree Top Walkway opened, it has become our default to walk in through the visitor centre and head left over the bridge. Last weekend, however, we had a larger group and with the adults absolutely outnumbered by the children, we decided that we could follow the Tree Trumps seasonal route which winds around the old arboretum.
After picking up picking up a route map and stamp book with a paper bag to collect all the leaves at the entrance, the route guides you through past interesting trees and showcases the best of the season. As ever, Westonbirt doesn’t disappoint. As we head into Autumn, the trees there are currently a riot of colours, the reds and oranges of the Maples, a flash of golden yellow from the Ginko tree and the newly named ‘Disco tree’ which is currently red at the top, orange in the middle and still green at the base.
With the children ranging in ages from nearly three to almost 10, we were not the fastest moving group but there was still something for everyone. This includes small areas dotted around the old arboretum that have been turned into creative play areas and over the years the number of these has slowly increased. The children had spotted a new symbol on the map and we went to investigate.
It took a little while to get there (there were dry leaves to run through and a game of off ground tag), but once we discovered the first of the new play areas, it was an immediate hit. The new installation features a wide, elevated path that curves in and around the trees with balancing posts and beams, as well as tangle nets all incorporated.
As it turned out, these were perfect for a game of off-ground tag, with the forest floor becoming lava, just to make it even more fun. Suffice to say that the adults lost and the children loved it!
There are also a pair of trumpet shaped horns that are great fun to sing or play whispers with, while the elevated path is wide enough to take a wheel chair or a pushchair, complete with a wavy section for a bit of a change up. For those parents with children big enough to amuse themselves, there are a few wooden seating blocks scattered around for a chill out and a chat.
It took a while but we eventually persuaded our clan to move on and find a few more of the stamps for their Top Trumps cards. The trail leads you past yet another area that used to have a root type balance area. This has been expanded and improved, and is even more engaging than before. From here it’s a short hop to the bird hide, the giant pinecone and the tractor tyres.
The trail finishes at the shop and café where you can sit with a hot drink and let the kids burn off the last of their energy in the play area.
No matter what time of the year that you’re visiting, there’s always so much to enjoy at Westonbirt Arboretum, including Christmas at Westonbirt just around the corner, Wild Westonbirt for 14-18 year olds and Christmas Wreath Making Workshops.
Find out more at www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretum