Forestry England to expand Westonbirt Arboretum

Forestry England and the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum have today announced that they have bought Silk Wood House, a property next to Westonbirt Arboretum so that for the first time in nearly 200 years, the National Arboretum has expanded.

The property is 29 acres (11 hectares) and includes Silk Wood House, a traditional Cotswold stone building, three grass fields and a series of outbuildings. Though there are no detailed plans as yet as to how Westonbirt Arboretum will use the property, it is clear this is a rare and exciting opportunity to expand the arboretum, something which has not happened since 1840, when Robert Holford, the arboretum’s founder, purchased Silk Wood.

Over the past eight years, Westonbirt Arboretum has improved facilities for staff and visitors, including building a Welcome Building, the Wolfson Tree Management Centre and the STIHL Treetop Walkway. They now plan to build on these successes to ensure that the arboretum is ready to meet the demands of the future, continuing their work in conservation, research and education, whilst maintaining a brilliant visitor experience.

Andrew Smith, Forestry England’s Director of Westonbirt Arboretum said:

‘Everyone at Westonbirt Arboretum is extremely excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity, and there is no shortage of ideas as to how we will use Silk Wood House. Over the next two years we plan to take a detailed look at the current facilities and layout of both the existing arboretum and Silk Wood House. This way we can fully understand how best to use this opportunity so we can fulfil our mission to ‘connect people with trees,’ now and in the future.

We will continue to work closely with the relevant planning authorities on plans for the future of the property, and plan to speak to members, volunteers and staff about their aspirations for the arboretum, when deciding what to do. We are incredibly grateful to the Inger and Olle, the previous owners, for giving us the chance to purchase the house and to the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum for supporting the purchase.’

Mike Mintram, Chairman of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum said:

‘As Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum we are delighted to support the purchase of Silk Wood House. This is an amazing opportunity to expand, protect and preserve the National Arboretum. As we work with Westonbirt to develop exciting plans for the future, we can now explore more options for enhancing its role, improving facilities and delivering an even better visitor experience.’

Although the property was never part of the original Victorian Estate, which was owned by the wealthy Holford family, it was purchased in the 1920s by an American woman, who built two semi-detached houses for her chauffer/gardener and housekeeper. Although it was her original intention to build a larger house for herself closer to the arboretum, this never happened, as she found that the British climate wasn’t to her liking. The property then passed through a series of owners, until being purchased by Inger and Olle, who lived in the house for over 30 years and brought up their family there.

Inger said:

‘We have been so happy in this house, and it has been wonderful to bring up our family next to the National Arboretum. We have many happy memories there, and it is wonderful to think that our home will now be part of a place that has been so special to us.’

The previous owners will continue to live in the property as tenants for the time being and will be given life membership to Westonbirt by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum.