We strive to remove barriers, creating inclusive areas for play, exercise and socialising while making sure parking and facilities are worry free for your visit.
To help you plan your visit, this page offers helpful information on accessibility at Westonbirt Arboretum.
Site Information
- Westonbirt Arboretum comprises over 240 hectares and has over 10 miles of hard paths, suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams and pushchairs, and in most areas can accommodate two side by side. Other paths may be suitable, depending on ground and weather conditions.
- we welcome assistance dogs across the arboretum. Non assistance dogs are welcome in Silk Wood. There are dog bowls available at the restaurant and Welcome Building and dog tie ups at the Welcome Building.
- benches are located across the arboretum. Some have arms, some don’t. Some picnic benches have ‘long ends’ so that wheelchairs can sit under the table.
- the Old Arboretum represents one third of the arboretum and is relatively flat with some gentle slopes.
- Silk Wood represents two thirds of the arboretum and is more uneven, with some steeper slopes. Skilling Hill, the access path under the Treetop walkway, has a gradient of 8 degrees.
- the main walk of the Treetop Walkway is fully accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Getting here
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
Tetbury
GL8 8QS
Travel by public transport
- we offer discounted entry to visitors arriving by public transport or bicycle.
- cycling is not permitted in the arboretum itself (we do allow bikes under 75cm for children aged 7 and under).
- there is a bus stop at the entrance to Westonbirt Arboretum. The route 69 bus operated by Stagecoach runs from Stroud to Tetbury, stopping off at Westonbirt Arboretum on some of its services. The bus stop is 0.5 miles / 0.8 km from Westonbirt, The National Arboretum.
- the nearest train station is Kemble Train Station . The train station is 9 miles / 14.5 km from Westonbirt, The National Arboretum.
- taxis are available to Westonbirt Arboretum from Kemble station.
- we ask that visitors lock their bikes up at the racks provided. Forgotten your lock? Don’t worry we have a few spare ones at the Welcome Building. Just ask a member of staff for more details.
Parking
- parking is free at Westonbirt (except at events) and we have a hard surface car park as well as overflow parking on a grass pitch for busier times.
- there are 21 accessible parking spaces and parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance.
- there is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb.
- the car park is flat and tarmac, and alongside the disabled parking bays is a lit footpath to avoid having to cross any traffic.
- access to the Welcome Building from the car park is via a short slope downhill, and uphill on exit.
- lighting bollards are present in accessible parking area only and lights come on whenever the natural light level drops.
- take a google street view tour of the car park.
Welcome
Path to main entrance
- from the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The desk has a low section.
- we have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants. A Personal Assistant is free while visiting with the person they are assisting. Proof of concession is not required.
- we have a hearing loop at the Welcome Building.
- Arriving at Westonbirt within a fixed time slot may not be suitable for all. If you have pre-booked and are running late, we’ll admit you as soon as possible when you arrive.
- take a google street view tour of your arrival:
https://bit.ly/2U42bEL
Facilities
- by the Welcome Building, there is a public toilet for disabled visitors with level access.
- from the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The door to the toilets is 890mm wide.
- there are also toilets situated by the Great Oak Hall - near the central shop. (approx. 300m from Welcome Building).
- the Changing Places toilet is situated by the Great Oak Hall.
- disabled toilets are available at both, with an adult's changing places available by the Great Oak Hall.
- width of doors: 89cm
- height of WC from floor to seat: 48cm
- space to side of WC for wheelchair 142cm
- grab rail location right hand side 15cm and 33cm from toilet, left hand side has two both 35cm from toilet (one of which is for the sink)
- alarm cord monitored by Welcome Building staff during normal hours, 9:00am to 4:30pm daily
- includes toilet facilities as well as equipment such as a height adjustable changing bed and a ceiling hoist. The hoist can lift up to 190kg and allows users easy movement in all dimensions around the room.
Food and Drink
- from the main entrance to this area, there is level access to the restaurant and pantry area.
- the Westonbirt restaurant and pantry are situated approximately 300m for the Welcome Building.
- there is level access to the pantry and gently sloped access to the restaurant.
- there is mobility scooter parking outside the restaurant.
- the restaurant and pantry both have plenty of space for pushchairs.
- the restaurant has a lino floor; while the pantry floor is level concrete.
- there are vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free options available on the restaurant menu and table service is provided for cooked food.
- menus are clearly displayed on blackboards, and on handouts but staff would be happy to relay these to any customers with visual impairments.
- seating is at wooden chairs and tables, highchairs are available.
Picnic
- you can bring your own food to the picnic area.
- the main picnic area is situated on The Downs, which is a level but over an uneven expanse of grassland. Picnic benches are available in this area.
- some benches have arms, some don’t.
- some picnic benches have ‘long ends’ so that wheelchairs can sit under the table.
- picnic benches are available on the central downs area, at Silk Wood Barn and the Learning Centre.
Westonbirt Shop
- from the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.
- access to the shop is level is approaching from the Old Arboretum, but a gentle uphill if coming from the Welcome Building or Silk Wood direction.
- the shop floor is flat and parquet. There is space to manoeuvre a pushchair around the shop. A wheelchair is available in the shop to use on request.
- staff in the shop would be more than happy to provide assistance if needed.
Accessibility equipment
- we provide manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters and a trike for those who need them. These are available to hire, free of charge, and can be booked online when pre-booking your day admission.
- scooters can be hired for visitors aged 16 and over. Manual wheelchairs can be hired for visitors aged 15 and under.
- scooters can't be booked on the day of your visit. Please book your scooter no later than the day before your visit. Scooters are not available for timeslots after 2:20pm.
- you can pick your scooter up from the Welcome Building. In order to give us time to clean the scooter so that it is safe for the next user, please return your scooter no later than 3:30pm. If you have any queries about mobility scooter or wheelchair hire, please call the Westonbirt Office (phones answered Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm) on 0300 067 4890.
Shuttle Bus
- the Westonbirt shuttle is designed to help those who need a little extra help getting around from the Welcome Building up to the restaurant, shop, and edge of the Old Arboretum.
- the shuttle runs daily from April until the end October between 10:30am – 4:00pm, around every 30 minutes from the Welcome Building.
- as this service is run by our volunteers, there may be days it does not run. Please call 0300 067 4890 and check the Westonbirt shuttle is running ahead of your arrival if it is essential to your visit.
- we have a series of short walk routes from the shuttle stops to some of the most beautiful parts of the arboretum, for those only looking for a short walk. Pick up your short walk map on the shuttle.
Events
Forest Live concerts
- the Forest Live concerts offer accessible parking which is allocated close to the arena for customers with access needs.
- accessible toilets are provided next to the viewing platform and also in the main block of temporary toilets in the arena.
- an accessible viewing platform is available for customers who are wheel-chair users, or who have health conditions or other disabilities where they have to remain seated for long periods of time.
Christmas at Westonbirt
- at Christmas at Westonbirt the trail is created to be as accessible as possible within the natural landscape of Westonbirt Arboretum. The lighting trail is designed so that all installations can be viewed from the pathways.
- accessible toilets are available at the Welcome Building and at the Great Oak Hall.
- there are relaxed evening sessions for those with additional needs who would like to experience it without the usual high volume of people. These sessions have reduced audio levels and will begin at twilight before the il-luminated trail opens to the public, making the transition into the dark much easier.
