Summer at Westonbirt Arboretum

3 children run towards the camera in a woodland setting laughing.

Less scroll, more stroll

Switch Off. Tune In. Feel Alive.

This summer we invite you to pause, listen, take a long deep breath and reconnect with the living world around you. 

Take a moment for you. The trees will take care of the rest. 

We know it can be hard to switch off from all those digital distractions, but we also know you will feel transformed as you tune into the natural sounds and sights around you in the arboretum. Feel free to venture off the paths to find a tree that feels special to you. Listen for the sounds of wildlife and discover secret scents hidden in the leaves and bark. Feel tall grasses between your fingers as you wander through meadow areas. 

It’s a joy to stop, look and listen out for wildlife living in the trees.  Hear the quiet hum of bees as they work and try identifying the many wild birds living here. 

Tune in with nature this summer at Westonbirt. 

Things to do this summer

Woman laughing in a sunny forest.
Other active things to do

1 June – 31 August  

In a world where we’re constantly connected, with endless information and distractions just a tap away, it can be hard to truly switch off. The quiet “noise” of...

Illustration of a witch and a cat flying on a broomstick across the night sky.
Room on the Broom trails

Join Witch and her friends on an enchanting adventure at Westonbirt Arboretum.

This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest...

A young girl and boy look cheery through a wooden circular window.
Play areas in the forest

Step into the great outdoors and let curiosity lead the way. At Westonbirt Arboretum, every corner invites children to climb, explore and discover the simple joy of playing in...

Westonbirt group
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...

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...

Westonbirt group
Event
Every Thu (Mar - Nov)
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...

Forest Live stage at Thetford Forest
Article
Forest Live

Join us among the trees to hear the best live music, connect with nature and discover unique concert locations in the nation's forests.

Spotted Woodpecker
Event
Sat 20 Jun
10:30am - 3:30pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Drop in to Silk Wood Barn to join us to discover more about the sounds our woodland animals make.  

Try our animal sounds quiz, take a quiet moment to map the wildlife sounds around...

Spectators sit round watching a demonstration that can't be seen with smiles on their faces.
Event
Sat 18 Jul
9:00am - 5:00pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Launching the UK‑wide celebration of Archaeology and Nature

This year, Westonbirt Arboretum is proud to be a launch venue for the Council for British Archaeology’s Festival of...

tree rings
Event
Sat 18 Jul
10:30am - 3:30pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Join us as part of the Festival of Archaeology, and uncover the secret lives of trees by learning to read their signs. 

Look at tree rings from different trees to see what this...

A large screen sits in front of a landscape of trees with Adventure cinema projected in the middle.
Event
Fri 31 Jul, Sat 1 Aug, Sun 2 Aug
Various times
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Enjoy a memorable cinema experience as the UK’s No.1 outdoor cinema returns to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum this summer. Set within the spectacular surroundings of the...

A family stand listening to the sounds around them.
Event
Tue 4 - Thu 6 Aug
10:30am - 3:30pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

On Tuesday 6 and Thursday 8 of August there will be other activities to take part in where we will explore the sounds of nature.

Wednesday 5 August only

Jason Singh will be joining...

A natural bee house wooden structure hanging from a tree
Event
Sun 16 Aug
10:30am - 3:30pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Come and join us for an informative and inspiring discovery day about free-living honeybees and their lives. 

The passionate and knowledgeable members of the Natural Beekeeping...

2 children sit crossed legged in a woodland environment with eyes closed and hands over their heads
Event
Tue 11 - Thu 13 Aug
10:30am - 3:30pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Come and join Sarah for an outdoor wellbeing walk with yoga, with your family! Often referred to as walking yoga, mindful walking, or nature yoga, you will experience a gentle and...

A woodland instrument made out of a large stick to make a frog stick
Event
Tue 18 - Thu 20 Aug
10:30am - 3:30pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Drop in to our instrument-making workshop at the Learning Centre. 

We’ll be making a variety of instruments from woodland materials, including a frog stick, rain maker and seed...

Learning Westonbirt
Event
Tue 25 - Thu 27 Aug
10:30am – 12:00pm & 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Come and join us as we venture off path amongst the summer trees and explore using our senses.  

Find your special tree, take some quiet time to listen the sounds around you...

Rest is not idleness… to lie on the grass under trees on a summer’s day… is by no means a waste of time.
John Lubbock