Christmas days out: Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

We are on the verge of winter and December is approaching very quickly, which means the countdown to Christmas is well and truly on!

There is something magical about the festive holiday, no matter how old you are. In the upcoming weeks, there are lots of Christmas events for you and your family to enjoy that’ll promise a magical day out! This blog will tell you all about Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire.

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum – managed by the Forestry Commission and supported by Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum – is a 600 acre arboretum and home to nearly 16,000 specimens and 3,000 different species of trees. The specimens and species come from all over Britain, North America, Chile, China, Japan and other temperate climates. The planting of this collection started in the 1850s. It was then when the rich Victorian landowner of Westonbirt estate, Robert Holford, set things in motion. He was fascinated by stunning and rare plants and therefore helped finance expeditions to collect specimens from all over the globe.

Westonbirt is located near Tetbury, a traditional Cotswolds market town in Gloucestershire, and the area has over 350,000 visitors per year. As well as having the world renowned collection of temperate shrubs and trees we mentioned above, it is also known for its spectacular autumn colour display and bright-stemmed specimens in winter. It consists of two main areas, namely The Old Arboretum and Silk Wood.

A popular event at Westonbirt includes the Enchanted Christmas. The event is held this year from 28 November to 21 December, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. The Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum includes an amazing one mile illuminated trail, which shows the trees off against the night sky. Also, children can meet Santa Claus and his reindeer. Or you can join a craft workshop or take a spin on the traditional merry-go-round with your little ones!

For more information about Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum (including tickets and times) click here.

Make the most out of your Christmas getaway by staying at a nearby Bibury Court. This handsome privately owned Jacobean manor house is situated in Bibury, one of the most popular of all the Cotswold villages, once described by William Morris as ‘the loveliest in England’. When the house isn’t taken by a group, the B&B can still be booked on an individual basis. Bibury is a perfect spot for all types of parties and events, and the venue has amazing house parties for Christmas, New Year, Valentines and Gold Cup Week. With Circencester, Cheltenham, Oxford and a clutch of lovely Cotswold villages on the doorstep, it is an ideal base for exploring the local area.

Alternatively you can stay at the Wyck Hill House Hotel & Spa in Wyck Hill. All the picturesque charm and splendour of the Cotswolds are met in the hotel’s spectacular hilltop setting amidst 50 acres of beautifully landscaped woodlands and gardens. There’s a most attractive courtyard with pretty fountain set within the old stable block and some of the rooms are also located in the charming coach house and orangery. The food prepared by Head Chef Mark David Jane and his team has already been awarded 2 AA Rosettes and specialises in contemporary cuisine made from the finest of local produce and ingredients. You will also definitely want to spend some quality relaxation time in the spa.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas day out at Westonbirt Arboretum!

Westonbirt Arboretum image by Alex Kaiser,