Autumn colour
The Japanese maples of the Old Arboretum turn from mid-October to early November, the one season that truly justifies the trip.
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For roughly two weeks every autumn the Japanese maples here go up in colour, gold through to deep crimson, and this quiet corner of Gloucestershire becomes one of the most famous autumn-colour spots in Britain. Westonbirt is not a park but a national tree collection, started in 1829 by a wealthy Victorian, Robert Holford, and carried on by his son: around 15,000 trees and shrubs of some 2,500 kinds gathered from every continent, spread over about 240 hectares and run today by Forestry England. It splits into two very different halves. The Old Arboretum is the designed part, exotic trees arranged along hard, level paths that suit pushchairs and wheelchairs, and it holds most of what people come to see. Silk Wood is an old working woodland first recorded in 1292, wider and wilder, with longer, rougher trails; it is also the only part where dogs are allowed. Between them rises the Treetop Walkway, a timber-decked path of around 300 metres that climbs gently to about 13 metres among the branches without a single step, so a pushchair and a grandparent go up together, which is rarer than it should be. From Bath it is a car journey and nothing else: about 35 km north on the A46 then the A433, 40 to 50 minutes, with parking included in the ticket. There is no practical public transport, though anyone who does arrive by bus gets a discounted rate. Admission is £14 for an adult on weekdays and £19 at weekends and bank holidays, rising in the peak autumn window (25 September to 15 November 2026) to £19 and £22; children are always £5 and under-fives go free. In that autumn window pre-booking online is strongly advised to guarantee entry, because the car parks fill before midday at weekends. Is it worth the trip from Bath? In October and November, without question, crowds and all. In spring (April and May) the magnolias flower and bluebells carpet Silk Wood, and it is lovely and far quieter. In summer, when most Gulf families are in England, every tree is simply green: pleasant, but nothing spectacular, and the real value then is the play areas, the shade and a long walk with children. The restaurant near the entrance serves plain British food and does not advertise halal options, so bring a picnic; there are tables everywhere. In winter it stays open but the trees are bare, last entry is 16:30 and the gates shut at 17:00, so skip it then unless you like walking in silence.
The Japanese maples of the Old Arboretum turn from mid-October to early November, the one season that truly justifies the trip.
A timber-decked path of around 300 metres rising to about 13 metres among the branches with no steps, so pushchairs roll straight up.
An ancient working woodland first recorded in 1292, with long trails and bluebells in May, far quieter than the Old Arboretum.
Westonbirt, Tetbury GL8 8QS
In summer the trees are simply green and you will not see the picture-postcard colour, but it works well for families: hard paths for pushchairs, play areas, plenty of shade and a step-free Treetop Walkway. If you have a spare day in Bath and do not want another town, it is an easy choice; if you are choosing between sights, a castle or a Cotswolds village beats it in July and August.
Outside autumn you can pay at the gate without trouble. Between 25 September and 15 November book on the official website before you go, especially for a weekend: the car parks fill before midday and the site itself advises booking to guarantee entry.