Experience a beautiful, natural environment that includes over 2,500 different tree species from across the globe. There's plenty of opportunity for natural play too, with a treetop walkway and woodland play areas to explore.
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​Located in Gloucestershire and within an hour’s drive of Gloucester, Bristol and Swindon, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum offers fantastic learning opportunities whatever the age, need or interests of your group.
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​Westonbirt is a versatile learning space, with room to think and space to explore. From sensory exploration and habitat discovery to plant science, climate change and natural art, bring the curriculum alive with hands-on experiential learning, first-hand observation and practical activities.
Westonbirt Arboretum
Westonbirt's trees bring learning to life!
Booking a Visit to Westonbirt Arboretum
We ask that all groups visiting Westonbirt Arboretum make a booking following the guidelines below:
(This only applies to sessions led by Learning With Nature. If you wish to come self-guided, then please contact the Westonbirt Learning Team on 0300 067 4856 or email: learning.westonbirt@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.)
1.
Telephone the Learning With Nature Team on 07920 065803 or email enquiries@learning-with-nature.org, to confirm the availability of your preferred date and to discuss your requirement.
2.
If your preferred date is available, we will provisionally book your visit to Westonbirt and email you a booking form.
Download a Risk Asssessment for group visits to Westonbirt Arboretum here.
3.
To confirm your visit you must complete and return the booking form. Following the return of your completed booking form you will receive your confirmation details (containing useful information for the day) and a Visit Information Sheet which needs to be completed and returned asap.
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A reminder email will be sent a week before your visit with a programme for your day, along with a Risk Benefit Assessment for the activities the children will be taking part in and instructions for your coach driver.
5.
You will be invoiced for your day a week before your visit.
Charges
This includes entry to the Arboretum and the opportunity to spend the rest of your visit exploring all the Arboretum has to offer.
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We offer a range of half-day programmes lasting 1.5 hours - £6.00 per child.​
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If you would like to add a second shorter programme to have a led day - £10.00 per child (for the day).
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We have a minimum charge of £150 per day - comprising 2 led programmes - to cover the cost of our Leader.
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We invoice all groups before the day of their visit.
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Adults
This includes entry to the Arboretum and the opportunity to spend the rest of your visit exploring all the Arboretum has to offer.
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Free admission for supervisory adults is offered with the following ratios:
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Pre-School and Reception 1 adult : 4 children
Years 1 and 2 1 adult : 5 children
Any adults supporting students 1:1 with additional/special needs will also be free.
Any additional adults will be charged £7.00 (spring, summer and autumn) / £5.00 (winter).
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"We had an amazing visit that the children are still talking about. The work the day inspired was wonderful and of a quality I wouldn't have expected from this early in Year 1. They were very taken with the story of Douglas the mouse and chose to focus their artwork on the pine cones we collected.
Thank you for organising such an amazing experience for the children and I look forward to visiting again."
Jo Knight, Callicroft Primary Academy.
“Thank you for a fantastic day - activities were great and staff were amazing. We (adults included) learnt lots! It was fab!"
C Smith, Wroughton Junior School.
“Thank you SO much for yet another fantastic day where our children got to experience and learn from such a magical place!"
J. Stevens, Cheddar Grove Primary School.
“We had a wonderful time, the pitch and pace of the session was perfect for Reception, holding their interest and engaging all children Thank you!.”
Sophie Dale, Bristol Grammar School.
“It was a fantastic day - thank you for leading a fabulous day! In the words of one of my children - "I didn't like the trip...I loved it!!"
Kate Baldwin, Sutton Benger Primary School.
“We had a lovely day. Thank you so much for organising it. Please pass on our thanks to all the team for being such great group leaders. The children learned a lot and have come back saying it was 'the best school trip ever!".
St Michael's CE Primary School.
“I just wanted to thank you and your team for today. It was an excellent day and experience for the children. The organisation of it all was just perfect topped off by knowledge of the area. I couldn’t fault any of it!
It will definitely be a place The Manor will be visiting again in the coming years."
Meabh O'Kane, The Manor School.
​“I would just like to say a huge thank you. The trip was great and Samantha, our guide, was absolutely fantastic. The children were really engaged with the activities, and she was so knowledgeable. Thank you again."
Samantha Boulding, Enstone Primary School.
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“"Our Y2 children really loved their visit to Westonbirt on Tuesday and were really engaged by Caron who led the group and activities throughout the day. Luckily, despite the hot weather, the arboretum environment was cool with a cool breeze so it was perfect!
I’ll definitely be recommending Westonbirt Arboretum as a visit for our Y2 children next year - it really was a great day for the children."
Tirlebrook Primary School
“An excellent, well-organised trip – thank you very much! We loved it.”
Rachel Weaver, St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School.
“Please just keep doing what you're doing! The best trip we've been on in a long time."
Hannah Spence, Benhall Infant School.
“Thank you for the wonderful time had by all when we visited Westonbirt Arboretum last week. Everything from the booking process, to the learning taking place on the day was thoroughly organised and delivered exceptionally well. When I asked one child what her favourite thing about the day was, she replied: “EVERYTHING!” I think that in itself speaks volumes, so thank you again. I will definitely be recommending you to others.”
Miss Moore, Sandford Primary School.
“The girls had a wonderful time; the content of the evening was aimed at their interests and their level of understanding. We would love to come back in the summer to try out your fire pit!”
Victoria Meheust, 1st Sherston Brownies.
"Tremendous value for money. Lots of activities that we can explore again in our own environment. Thank you for your enthusiastic approach to our visit. 60 boisterous 5 & 6 year olds enjoyed it very much. ‘I shall certainly recommend your sessions to my colleagues.”
Carol White, Bowerhill Primary School.
“We had a fabulous learning experience accurately linked to the National Curriculum objectives that enabled learning in an exciting, inspirational forest school setting."​
Fay Bailey, Wansdyke School.
​“Thank you very much for a lovely visit to Westonbirt. The children enjoyed their visit; in particular the Badger holes! Back at Nursery they were able to recall the story and made some amazing leaf men and animals for our wall display.”