How we became one of the world’s best examples of a Picturesque landscape
Although the Westonbirt landscape has witnessed many uses over the centuries, today it is known as one of the best tree collections and picturesque landscapes in Britain.
This transformation was largely the result of a wealthy Victorian landowner, Robert Stayner Holford and his family, who developed the Westonbirt Estate to showcase their wealth and interests in botany.
Robert Stayner Holford
Over successive generations the Holford family were hugely successful in developing their family wealth from several sources including working in law and business, strategic marriages, and acquiring landed estates. An independent report into the Holford family and their sources of wealth was recently undertaken and further details can be found below.
This meant that when Robert inherited the Westonbirt Estate he had the money and resources to undertake an ambitious landscape project. He was a visionary man with a passion for both art and the natural world – Westonbirt showcases both of these passions. He rebuilt Westonbirt House, now Westonbirt School, adding formal pleasure gardens and the arboretum. Many of the trees planted under his direction still stand tall today.
Fortunately for him, the Victorian era was a time of great excitement in the plant world, and intrepid individuals like David Douglas and William Lobb were being sent all over the world to find and bring back new and exotic species.
These plant collectors would be travelling for months, or often years, and local guides with knowledge of the landscape, climate and plants would have aided them in finding the botanical treasures that they sought.
Holford financed plant collecting expeditions, particularly in North America. Many of the old majestic conifers in the arboretum would have been sourced via these expeditions and at the time would have been incredibly rare and exotic in the UK. Take a look at our key tree plinths when you’re on site to find out more about the locations they grow in around the world and some of their cultural uses.
Westonbirt Arboretum
Holford used these new plants in his arboretum – but rather than laying them out according to species or native geographic location, he wanted his arboretum planted aesthetically, according to the Picturesque movement that was sweeping the art world at the time.
The result is a botanical collection that is famed worldwide today not only for its astonishing diversity, but also its breathtaking beauty.
When Robert died in 1893 he had created the entire Old Arboretum and had developed the main ride structure of Silk Wood. The landscape he handed over to his son, George Holford, has remained pretty stable since this time.
Sir George Holford
Sir George Holford shared his father’s passion for trees and horticulture and was just as well connected in the plant world. During his time as owner of Westonbirt the focus of the botanical world had shifted to plants from Asia, particularly China. This is reflected in the plants he acquired for the arboretum and he was responsible for many of the rhododendrons and maples for which Westonbirt Arboretum is so famous today.
Sir George left no heir when he died in 1926 and the estate passed to his nephew, the Fourth Earl of Morley. In 1927 the mansion was sold and became a girls' school and the estate was split up.
In 1956 the entire 600 acres (240 hectares) were handed over to Forestry England, who had the huge task of making it openly available to the public for the very first time!
Managed by Forestry England for all
Over the past seven decades, from 1956, the Forestry Commission (now Forestry England) has balanced heritage with innovation to transform Westonbirt into a centre for conservation, education and public enjoyment.
Our tree team still travel all over the world to collect seed and learn local knowledge but today we work with government and non-government organisations to give back. We share our research and work globally to protect tree species and seed banks for future generations all over the world.
Today, Westonbirt is not only a botanical masterpiece but also a place of scientific research, community, learning and wellbeing. A living landscape shaped by science, tradition and a deep commitment to connecting people with trees to improve the quality of life.
Independent report into the Holford’s History
An independent report into the Holford families and their sources of wealth was recently undertaken. Between 1655 and 1956 the Holford’s derived their wealth from several sources. The report identifies three key factors: three generations working in law, strategic marriages, and acquiring landed estates.
The research found no evidence that the Westonbirt estate was funded by slavery, or that the Holford family directly owned plantations or enslaved people. However, the report did identify indirect links to slavery through investments in the East India Company and the Manning & Anderdon Bank.
Timeline
Before 1829, the landscape that would become Westonbirt Arboretum was part of a traditional English estate with a long history of woodland management and agricultural use.
Silk Wood, now part of the arboretum, was a working woodland with evidence of coppicing dating back to at least 1292.
The Westonbirt Estate had been in the Holford family since 1666. Before the arboretum was established, the land was primarily used for estate plantations. The Estate would have featured a mix of pasture, arable fields and managed woodland, typical of English country estates.
The original Elizabethan manor house was replaced by a Georgian mansion in 1823, just a few years before Robert Stayner Holford began developing the arboretum.
When Robert Stayner Holford turned 21 in 1829, he began planting trees in what would become the Old Arboretum, a visionary project that would eventually grow into one of the most celebrated tree collections in the world.
In 1838, Robert Stayner Holford inherited a vast fortune from his uncle. The following year, in 1839, Robert also inherited the Westonbirt Estate from his father, George Peter Holford, who had already begun shaping the estate with Georgian sensibilities. This dual inheritance, financial and territorial, gave Robert the means and motivation to transform Westonbirt into a showcase of Victorian landscape design and botanical ambition.
In 1840, Robert Stayner Holford purchased Silk Wood, a stretch of ancient woodland steeped in centuries of natural history.
Visitors can explore the history of Silk Wood through a digital walking trail on the Go Jauntly app, blending storytelling, history and nature connection. This self-guided experience brings the woodland’s ancient roots and modern challenges to life.
In 1856, Robert and his wife Mary Holford each planted a giant redwood sapling (Sequoiadendron giganteum) at the entrance to the arboretum, near Westonbirt House. These saplings were about one foot high and cost £8 each, a considerable sum at the time.
According to local lore, Robert was slightly irked that the tree planted by Mary grew more vigorously than his own. Remarkably, this difference in growth is still visible today, nearly two centuries later, with Mary’s tree standing taller and fuller than Robert’s.
They are among the earliest examples of giant redwoods planted in Britain, shortly after the species was introduced from California in the mid-19th century.
During the 1860s the majority of Old Arboretum was created following the principles of the picturesque landscape. This approach was heavily influenced by the writings of William Gilpin, an 18th-century clergyman, artist, and author. Rather than planting trees in taxonomic groups, Holford arranged them to create visual harmony and emotional resonance, aligning with Gilpin’s belief that nature should be appreciated like art.
In a touching tribute to family, Robert Stayner Holford planted three majestic giant redwoods in 1861, each one representing one of his daughters: Margaret, Evelyn and Alice. Known today as The Three Sisters, these towering trees stand proudly beside Mitchell Drive in the Old Arboretum.
During the 1870s the major rides of Silk Wood were carefully landscaped and planted, including Willesley Drive, Broad Drive and Waste Drive.
When Robert Stayner Holford died in 1892, the Westonbirt Estate passed to his only son, Sir George Holford. Sir George inherited the estate at age 32. Though he did not share his father’s deep interest in art and literature, he was a dedicated horticulturist and passionate gardener.
He was also a courtier and soldier, serving as Equerry to King Edward VII, and regularly hosted royal guests at Westonbirt.
Sir George continued the planting of trees in the arboretum, especially expanding Silk Wood, cultivated orchids and amaryllis, for which he became well known and employed 50 gardeners and 20 foresters to maintain the Estate.
A rare hybrid conifer, the Holford pine (Pinus × holfordiana) originated from seedlings raised around 1904, likely the result of a natural cross between Pinus ayacahuite var. veitchii and Pinus wallichiana, both growing in close proximity at the arboretum.
Named in honour of the Holford family the Holford pine was described in 1933 by Albert Bruce Jackson.
When Sir George Holford died in 1926, the Westonbirt Estate, including Westonbirt House and the arboretum, passed to his sister Margaret's son, the Fourth Earl of Morley, Edmund Robert Parker. Since George had no children, the closest male relative, and thus the heir to the estate, was his nephew.
In 1927, Lord Morley sold Westonbirt House, which was soon converted into Westonbirt School, a girls’ boarding school that remains active today. The sale was likely driven by the financial pressures of maintaining such a vast estate and the burden of death duties, which were common in the early 20th century.
Despite selling the house, Lord Morley retained the arboretum and many of the garden staff, continuing the Holford family’s legacy of botanical stewardship. Under the curatorship of Mr Mitchell the grounds were maintained and new specimens were added, preserving the arboretum’s character and expanding its diversity. This period marked a quieter but important phase in the arboretum’s development, as it remained a private collection under active botanical stewardship.
1927 saw the publication of the Catalogue of the Trees and Shrubs at Westonbirt, compiled by botanist Albert Bruce Jackson. Commissioned by Sir George Holford, the catalogue meticulously recorded the arboretum’s growing botanical collection, reflecting decades of careful planting and curation.
This beautifully bound volume remains a vital reference for understanding the arboretum’s heritage and the vision of its early custodians.
During World War II, Westonbirt School was requisitioned by the Air Ministry as part of the national war effort. Around sixty officers from the Air Ministry arrived unannounced and took control of the house and surrounding grounds. The school premises were used for administrative and strategic purposes. The dense woodland and secluded nature of the Estate made it an ideal location for discrete military operations.
Following the death of Lord Morley in 1951, Westonbirt Arboretum was transferred to the Forestry Commission in 1956. This transfer was made in lieu of death duties, a common practice at the time when large estates were passed to the government to settle inheritance taxes.
The Forestry Commission took on the monumental task of opening the arboretum to the public for the first time, transforming it from a private botanical collection into a public resource for education, recreation and conservation.
From around 1960 Westonbirt Arboretum slowly became open to the general publice, marking a major milestone in its transformation from a private estate into a national treasure.
The Forestry Commission began developing visitor infrastructure, educational programs, and conservation initiatives to support public engagement with the arboretum’s rich botanical and historical legacy.
Around this time, Savill Glade was created as a new feature within the arboretum. It was named after Sir Eric Savill, a member of the Forestry Commission’s Advisory Committee and a renowned landscape designer best known for creating the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park.
As Westonbirt Arboretum entered a new era under the Forestry Commission, the focus expanded beyond beauty and heritage to include scientific research and conservation. From the 1960's the mapping of every specimen tree laid the groundwork for a more data-driven approach to tree care.
The 1960s & 70s also saw the establishment of research plots, where scientists could monitor tree health, growth patterns and climate resilience, ensuring that Westonbirt remains not just a place of wonder, but a hub for learning and environmental research.
In 1963, Acer Glade in the Old Arboretum underwent a significant expansion. The arboretum already had a strong foundation of maples thanks to earlier plantings by the Holford family, but the 1963 expansion aimed to refresh and provide longevity for this seasonal focal point for visitors.
Today, Acer Glade remains one of the most iconic and beloved areas of the arboretum, drawing thousands of visitors each year during autumn.
The Forestry Commission undertook a significant development in Silk Wood by creating Palmer Ride and a connecting path known as The Link. These additions were designed to open up new walking routes, improve access, and enhance the visitor experience within the ancient woodland.
Palmer Ride was named in honour of the Chair of the original Forestry Commission Advisory Committee, reflecting its importance in the arboretum’s evolving public role.
Together, Palmer Ride and The Link helped transform Silk Wood from a relatively secluded part of the arboretum into a core visitor area, blending conservation, accessibility and aesthetic appeal.
In 1978, the arboretum took a major step toward becoming a fully public-facing destination with the opening of its first dedicated visitor centre.
The original visitor centre is now repurposed as the arboretum shop, and managed by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. Profits from the shop go directly toward funding arboretum projects, including tree planting, habitat restoration and educational programs.
In 1979, the restoration of coppicing officially commenced, marking a revival of one of the site’s oldest and most ecologically significant woodland management traditions. This initiative focused on Silk Wood, a part of the arboretum with a documented history of coppicing dating back to 1292.
Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management where trees are periodically cut down to their stumps (or "stools") to encourage vigorous regrowth. This technique promotes biodiversity by allowing light to reach the forest floor, supports a variety of flora and fauna and produces sustainable materials like charcoal, beanpoles, hurdles, and firewood.
In 1983, Westonbirt Arboretum launched its first Schools Programme, marking a pivotal moment in its evolution from a botanical showcase to an educational resource for young learners. This initiative was designed to connect children with nature, trees and the environment through hands-on learning experiences in the arboretum’s rich and diverse landscape.
The Schools Programme has become a cornerstone of Westonbirt’s mission to inspire future generations. It continues to evolve, incorporating themes like climate change, biodiversity and sustainable forestry, while maintaining its original spirit of curiosity and connection to nature.
In 1985, the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum (FOWA) was officially established as a charitable organisation to support the long-term care, development, and public engagement of Westonbirt Arboretum.
Since 1985, FOWA has grown into a thriving membership organisation with over 38,000 supporters. Its contributions have helped fund the Welcome Building and Tree Management Centre, tree conservation projects and international plant-collecting expeditions, interpretive trails, exhibitions and seasonal events.
FOWA continues to play a vital role in ensuring that Westonbirt remains a world-class arboretum for future generations.
In 1990, the arboretum faced significant damage following a powerful windstorm, which uprooted trees, disrupted paths, and left parts of the landscape in disarray. In response to this natural disaster, the arboretum launched its first formal volunteer programme, marking the beginning of a community-driven effort to support restoration and ongoing care.
This led to the creation of a structured volunteer initiative, supported by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum (FOWA), which began funding uniforms, training, and coordination for volunteers.
The programme quickly grew, becoming a cornerstone of Westonbirt’s operations. Today, nearly 300 volunteers contribute over 25,000 hours annually, helping to maintain the arboretum and enrich the visitor experience.
In 2000, the Great Oak Hall was funded, constructed, and officially opened, marking a significant enhancement to the site's visitor and educational infrastructure. The hall was inaugurated by The former Prince of Wales (now King Charles III).
Built using sustainably sourced timber, including oak from the arboretum itself, it was designed to blend with the natural surroundings, reflecting the arboretum’s ethos of harmony between built and natural environments.
In 2005, Westonbirt Arboretum unveiled the Maple Loop, a beautifully designed walking route through part of Silk Wood, created to showcase the arboretum’s world-renowned collection of maples, especially its extensive holdings of Japanese maple cultivars. The loop was carefully landscaped to reflect Westonbirt’s picturesque principles, with winding paths, layered views, and trees arranged for visual harmony.
Maple Loop was officially opened by The Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) and The Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Camilla), who also served as patron of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum from 2006 until the present day. During the opening ceremony, the royal couple planted the 100th maple tree, commemorating the launch of the new route and celebrating the arboretum’s ongoing commitment to botanical excellence and public engagement.
In 2008, Westonbirt Arboretum undertook its first seed collection expedition to Japan, marking a significant step in its commitment to international conservation and botanical diversity.
The expedition was led by Westonbirt’s then Director, Simon Toomer, and Superintendent, Mark Ballard, who spent two weeks in Japan identifying and collecting seeds from wild-growing trees in temperate forests.
This expedition laid the groundwork for future seed-collecting trips to Japan and helped position Westonbirt as a leader in international tree conservation.
In 2014, Westonbirt Arboretum celebrated the completion of two major milestones: the Biffa Award Welcome Building and the restoration of the Downs, both part of a broader initiative to enhance visitor experience and conserve the historic landscape.
The Welcome Building was designed as a central hub for visitors entering the arboretum. It replaced a modest portacabin setup and provided a more inviting and informative entry point. The building features a curved timber-framed design using sustainable materials like Douglas fir and western red cedar, a space for visitor orientation, including information desks, mobility scooter pick-up, and membership sign-ups and a symbolic gateway to the arboretum, improving visitor flow and offering interpretive displays about the site's tree collection and conservation efforts.
The building was officially opened in June 2014 by the Duchess of Cornwall, Patron of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum.
The restoration of the Downs was a key part of the Westonbirt Project. This Grade I listed landscape had previously been compromised by the location of the visitor car park. By relocating the car park, the arboretum was able to restore the Downs to natural grassland, enhancing biodiversity and visual appeal, reconnect the landscape with its original design intentions, preserving its historical and ecological integrity and create a more immersive and tranquil experience for visitors.
In 2016, Westonbirt Arboretum unveiled three major developments that significantly enhanced both visitor experience and operational capacity: the STIHL Treetop Walkway, the Wolfson Tree Management Centre, and the Mess Room.
The Treetop Walkway is a 300-metre-long elevated path, the longest of its kind in the UK, that winds through the canopy of Silk Wood. Designed by Glenn Howells Architects and engineered by Buro Happold. The walkway rises up to 13.5 metres above the forest floor, offering panoramic views of the arboretum’s ancient woodland and The Downs, features a gentle slope for accessibility and is constructed from Scottish and Siberian larch, combining timber and steel in a sinuous, elegant design.
The Wolfson Tree Management facility was built to support the arboretum’s expert tree team in managing its internationally significant collection of over 15,000 trees. Designed by Invisible Studio, the centre includes a Machine Shed for storing and maintaining agricultural equipment and a Mess Room for staff and volunteers, providing welfare facilities.
What makes this project unique is its use of timber sourced entirely from the arboretum itself. Trees felled during routine maintenance were milled on-site and used untreated in construction. The buildings were constructed with the help of volunteers and trainee carpenters, showcasing a sustainable and community-driven approach.
In 2018, Westonbirt Arboretum launched the Community Access Scheme (CAS) to make its stunning natural environment more accessible to groups who might otherwise face barriers to visiting independently. This initiative was part of Westonbirt’s broader commitment to inclusion, wellbeing, and community engagement.
By offering discounted admission packages, the scheme enables groups to enjoy the therapeutic and educational benefits of being among trees and nature.
The CAS opened up Westonbirt’s landscape to a wider audience, promoting mental and physical wellbeing, social connection and nature-based learning. It also aligned with Forestry England’s goals of making green spaces more inclusive and accessible.
In 2021, Westonbirt Arboretum began a transformative journey in Silk Wood following the widespread felling of ash trees due to Chalara ash dieback, a devastating fungal disease affecting ash populations across the UK.
The felling operation removed thousands of infected ash trees to prevent further spread and protect the health of the woodland. This left large areas of Silk Wood bare, prompting a strategic response focused on regeneration, biodiversity and community involvement.
The Silk Wood Community Planting Project aims to replant approximately 9,000 trees and create Westonbirt’s first Community Woodland. The project is designed to restore ancient semi-natural woodland, increase resilience to climate change and future pests and promote biodiversity through a mix of over 20 tree species, including native varieties like oak, field maple, hawthorn, and lime, as well as climate-resilient species such as Italian beech.
The regeneration effort is deeply rooted in community participation with over 2,500 individuals from nearly 50 groups have taken part so far. Participants include schools, youth groups, charities, and individuals from neurodiverse and underserved communities with activities include tree planting, site preparation, monitoring, and care.
Community Shelter
After years of planning and five months of construction, Westonbirt opened a striking new Community Shelter, designed by the community, for the community.
Built using locally sourced timber, oak and western red cedar felled as part of Westonbirt’s sustainable woodland management. Over 600 participants from underrepresented groups contributed to the build, learning traditional carpentry techniques like steam bending and shingle making. The Shelter was designed by Invisible Studio and constructed with help from Xylotek, volunteers, and community groups. The shelter’s organic, armadillo-like shape and open design create a welcoming, non-prescriptive space for reflection, learning, and wellbeing.
Quarantine House
To protect its living tree collection from increasing threats posed by pests and diseases, Westonbirt built a Quarantine House, a specialist facility for inspecting and isolating new plant material. This facility plays a vital role in safeguarding both native and exotic tree species and educating visitors about the importance of biosecurity.
Rainwater harvesting system
As part of Forestry England’s goal to be net carbon zero by 2030, Westonbirt installed a rainwater harvesting and filtering system to support the Propagation Unit. The system collects up to 90,000 litres of rainwater annually and uses a slow sand filter and UV light treatment to clean water without chemicals. This reuses water from the Quarantine House and glasshouse roofs for irrigation and also reduces reliance on mains water and promotes sustainable resource use.
In 2023, His Majesty King Charles III visited Westonbirt Arboretum to plant a Wollemi Pine, a critically endangered species often referred to as the “dinosaur tree” due to its ancient lineage dating back over 200 million years.
Over 170 young Wollemi Pines, cultivated by the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, were shipped to the UK. Six were planted at Westonbirt, six at Bedgebury National Pinetum, and the rest distributed to 27 botanic gardens across the UK and Europe. This forms part of a “metacollection”, a collaborative botanical network aimed at preserving the species through shared care and research.
In 2023, Westonbirt celebrated the completion of two remarkable structures, the Coppice Shelter and the Green Woodworking Shelter, each designed to support traditional woodland crafts, community engagement, and sustainable building practices.
Part of the Coppice Regeneration Project, the Coppice Shelter was built to provide a dedicated space for coppice workers and volunteers involved in woodland management and restoration.
Located next to the Community Shelter in Silk Wood, the Green Woodworking Shelter was designed to support green woodworking activities such as pole lathe turning and shave horse work. Designed by Piers Taylor of Invisible Studio and built by Pearce+ in just six weeks. It features a triangular footprint, aluminium dome-shaped roof, and over 85 individually shaped oak poles milled from Westonbirt’s own trees. The roof is made of 275 recyclable aluminium discs, attached with over 2,250 rivets, reflecting light into the space and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
In 2025, the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum (FoWA) proudly celebrate their 40th anniversary, marking four decades of dedicated support for Westonbirt, The National Arboretum. Since their founding in 1985, FoWA has played a vital role in enhancing the arboretum’s mission to connect people with trees through conservation, education, and participation.
In 2029, Westonbirt Arboretum will celebrate its bicentenary, marking 200 years since its founding by Robert Stayner Holford in 1829. This milestone will honour Westonbirt’s legacy as one of the world’s finest tree collections and its evolution into a globally recognised centre for conservation, education, and public engagement.