Westonbirt Arboretum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westonbirt Arboretum |
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An autumn scene at the arboretum
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| Type | Arboretum |
| Location | Tetbury, Gloucestershire |
| Created | 1829 |
| Operated by | Forestry England |
| Designation | Grade I |
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It is about 3 kilometers (2 miles) southwest of the town of Tetbury. This amazing forest is managed by Forestry England. Many people think it is the most important and famous arboretum in the United Kingdom. An arboretum is like a living museum for trees!
This beautiful place was planted in the mid-1800s. It was part of the large Westonbirt House estate. Today, the arboretum is a Grade I listed site. This means it is a very important historic park and garden.
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The History of Westonbirt Arboretum
People have been managing trees here since 1292. This was done through a method called coppicing. Coppicing is when trees are cut down to the stump. This makes them grow new shoots. The name "Weston Birt" was first used in 1309. It came from a nearby settlement called Weston. "Birt" came from the Bret family, who owned the land.
Who Started the Arboretum?
The arboretum was started in 1829 by Robert Stayner Holford. His son, George Lindsay Holford, made it even bigger. After George passed away in 1926, his nephew inherited the arboretum. Later, it was given to the Forestry Commission in 1956. In 2019, it became part of Forestry England.
The Holford family's big house, Westonbirt House, became a girls' boarding school in 1927. It was separated from the arboretum at that time. Westonbirt Arboretum is also next to the Highgrove Estate. This is the home of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.
Exploring Westonbirt Arboretum Today
Westonbirt Arboretum has about 15,000 trees and shrubs. There are 2,500 different types of trees from all over the world. The arboretum covers about 600 acres (240 hectares). It has 27 kilometers (17 miles) of marked paths. These paths are very popular with visitors. They let you see many rare plants.
There are two main areas to explore at Westonbirt.
The Old Arboretum
The Old Arboretum is a carefully planned landscape. It has beautiful views and grand avenues. You can see many rare and unusual trees here. Some of these trees were planted as far back as the 1850s.
Silk Wood
Silk Wood offers a very different experience. It also has many unusual plants. But at its heart, it is a traditional working woodland. This part of the arboretum dates back to the 13th century. Dogs are welcome in Silk Wood. However, they are not allowed in The Old Arboretum.
Champion Trees of Britain
Every tree at the arboretum has a label. You can find it on the trunk or a low branch. Blue labels show Westonbirt's "champion trees." These are the tallest or largest trees of their kind in Britain. In 2011, there were 79 champion trees here.
Forestry England manages the arboretum. They also manage Bedgebury National Pinetum in Kent. The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum is a charity that helps support the arboretum. It was started in 1985.
Where is Westonbirt Arboretum?
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Westonbirt Arboretum is in Gloucestershire. You can find it on the A433 road. It is about 3 miles (5 kilometers) southwest of Tetbury.
Fun Events and Festivals
Westonbirt Arboretum hosts many fun events throughout the year.
Garden Festivals and Concerts
From 2003 to 2005, the arboretum held Britain's first garden festival led by designers. On July 16, 2011, the Irish pop band Westlife performed a concert here. It was part of their Gravity Tour.
Treefest Celebration
Also in 2011, "Treefest" was launched. This event celebrates trees and nature. It includes camping, music, and many activities. It takes place during the August bank holiday.
Enchanted Christmas
Christmas is a special time at Westonbirt. The "Enchanted Christmas" event celebrates the beauty of bare, sculpted trees in winter. From late November through December, there is an illuminated trail. It runs through the Old Arboretum in the evening. This trail shows off the trees' beauty in the winter.
See also
In Spanish: Westonbirt Arboretum para niños
