Autumn at Westonbirt Arboretum

an illustration of autumn leaves behaving as fireworks.

Autumn at Westonbirt Arboretum

Natures fireworks – enjoy our stunning explosion of autumn colour 

This autumn we’re inviting you to let nature’s fireworks spark your creativity as we celebrate the season through art, observation, and imagination.

By exploring Westonbirt’s world famous autumn colour we encourage you to deepen your connection with Westonbirt’s living collection and take a creative journey!

Look beyond the vibrant autumn colours and observe the finer details of nature. With a sketchbook and charcoal or pencil in hand, you’ll be encouraged to explore your artistic side, capturing the textures, shapes, and stories of the trees around you.

Let nature’s fireworks spark your creativity and celebrate the season through art, observation, and imagination as our autumn exhibition and  trails take you on a hands-on adventure celebrating the season’s spectacular colours, textures, and creativity.

 

Bedgebury Florilegium Society Exhibition

This autumn, Westonbirt Arboretum is proud to host a stunning outdoor exhibition in celebration of our sister site Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, marking their centenary this year. 

Created by the Bedgebury National Pinetum Florilegium Society, the exhibition features 18 exquisite botanical illustrations of trees found in both arboreta.

To complement the exhibition, visitors can follow the Drawn to Nature trail or The Art of autumn family trail, which showcases several of the featured species.

An artists hand drawing some pine cones on paper

Autumn Watch videos coming soon

Relive autumn at Westonbirt Arboretum from 2024. 

Things to do this autumn

A young girl and boy look at some bright yellow leaves in wonder
Other family activities

This autumn, bring the whole family to Westonbirt Arboretum and explore our Family Autumn Trail, a hands-on adventure celebrating the season’s spectacular colours, textures, and...

A man walks through a beautiful landscape of reds and yellows. He looks up in admiration at the sight of vibrant trees.
Other active things to do

This autumn, discover the beauty of Westonbirt Arboretum in a whole new way with our Drawn to Nature Trail, a creative journey inspired by the stunning botanical illustrations from...

An artists hand drawing some pine cones on paper
Other active things to do

This autumn, Westonbirt Arboretum is proud to host a stunning outdoor exhibition in celebration of our sister site, Bedgebury National Pinetum’s centenary. Created by the Bedgebury...

Digital illustration of Julia Donaldson's character Stick Man, running near a large tree.
Stick Man activity trails

Trail ends 15 September

Set off with a hop and twirl as you join Stick Man on his forest adventure. 

The interactive family trail follows Stick Man on his journey as he tries to get...

Child holding autumn seeds
Event
Sat 20 Sep
10:30am - 3:30pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Come and find out about how spectacular seeds are! Make your own seed bomb to take home with you and take part in our super seed scavenger hunt. Use seeds from the collection to...

A woman smiles at the camera holding a shovel that she is pushing down on one leg into the soil.
Event
Sat 11 Oct
11:00am - 3:00pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

At Westonbirt Arboretum's Community Woodland we are re-planting an area of woodland cleared due to ash dieback. Every step of the woodland regeneration is being carried out by...

A man stands behind a table covered in a blue table cloth full of coppiced products ready to sell.
Event
Sat 25 & Sun 26 Oct
10:00am - 4:00pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Head across the treetop walkway into Silkwood. Here you will find the resident coppicers from the arboretum, selling and demonstrating traditional crafts and skills. 

Among them...

A young boy and his mother peer intently at a beautiful red leaf in autumn.
Event
Mon 27 Oct, Fri 31 Oct
10:30am - 12:00pm & 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Join us on an autumn walk with your family and experience autumnal changes first-hand. Discover the reasons behind them through games and challenges. 

10:30am - 12:00pm:

Explore and...

Autumn learning westonbirt
Event
Tue 28 - Thu 30 Oct
10:30am - 3:30pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Come along to our event to discover the science behind autumn colour change. Get creative and make your own autumn leaf crown, or autumn mobile!

Take part in our autumn colour...

A young girl and boy look cheery through a wooden circular window.
Family activity
Play at Westonbirt Arboretum

Follow our play project as we work through 3 phases to improve play opportunities at Westonbirt Arboretum.

A group of adults on an autumn guided walk admire the rich colour around them.
Event
Daily
11:00am & 2:00pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Join our experienced and knowledgeable volunteers as they guide you through the Old Arboretum. 

Together you'll explore the best seasonal features of the Old Arboretum - and as the...

Westonbirt group
Event
Every Thu
11:30am
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Take the path less travelled and delve a little deeper into our captivating trees with our discovery walks.

Please note that dogs are not permitted on guided walks (except...

A sensing nature guide in green talks to a group of people, he stands by a felled log, which he has his hand placed on to feel the bark.
Event
Every Friday from Apr - Sep
11:30am
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Let our visually impaired guides lead you through an immersive and interactive sensory experience that aims to shift your perception, enjoy the arboretum at a slower pace and...

As autumn arrives at Westonbirt, the days are getting shorter, the air that bit cooler which means the native and exotic trees in the arboretum displays a rich, blaze of colour.

The diversity and vibrancy of leaf colours to be found at Westonbirt are unsurpassed in Britain. Combine this with fruits, hips and berries in profusion, and you have the makings of a botanical experience like no other. 

A must for any visit over the autumn is Acer Glade in the Old Arboretum and Maple Loop in Silk Wood. Westonbirt Arboretum holds the national collection for maples and autumn is the time to see them in all their breathtaking glory!
 

Autumn Westonbirt