Westonbirt The National Arboretum - Tetbury

Westonbirt's fantastic natural resources bring out the child in many visitors, young and old alike. But we do have some specific play areas designed especially with our younger visitors in mind.

From crawling through a giant trunk tunnel, to sitting in a leafy hammock our Exploratree play area for young children and toddlers (five years and under) is about providing fun hands-on engaging activities that connect families with trees.

Exploratree does not set out to be a 'typical' play area with the usual play equipment. Instead we are trying to encourage self-discovery, curiosity and spontaneity. So why not come and take an inspirational journey through the roots, trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and seeds of our trees.

Naturally Playful trail

Explore the Old Arboretum and discover the different play zones hidden amongst the trees.  Along the trail children can build explorers' dens, balance and clamber over fallen logs, skip along log pathways, plan expeditions in a tree fort and find the mystical troll bridge. 

Westonbirt also has new play areas being developed in Silk Wood. The first, ‘Ted’s Fright’ is located along Willesley Drive in Silk Wood. It can be found just past the entrance to Palmer Ride (map reference M16). Here, children can clamber over a series of giant logs, carved and positioned to look like a mass of tree roots erupting from the ground.

Whilst 'Naturally Playful' has been designed with older children in mind (5-11 year olds), children of all ages can enjoy discovering the play zones.