Batsford Arboretum News & Events
New for 2010 for 'Friends of Batsford' Ticket holders
We have just arranged that if you are a ‘Friend of Batsford’ ticket holder, not only can you visit Westonbirt Arboretum free of charge, but your ticket will now give you free access to Bodenham Arboretum, near Kidderminster and Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent. Both exceptional gardens, not to be missed. For more information about our ‘Friends of Batsford’ Ticket see our ‘Friends’ page or call us on 01386 701441.
February
1st – Open every day.
13th-21st – Snowdrop week. Snowdrops carpet the arboretum & selected varieties for sale in our plant centre.
March
Snowdrop displays continue. Daffodil displays begin.
1st – Annual Batsford Plant Centre Lecture at Blockley village hall. Ticket only.
20th – 28th – Daffodil Week. Daffodil displays at their best along with many wild spring flowers such as Primroses & Scillas.
Spring, not too far away?
I took Henry a walk around the arboretum this morning. There are real signs of Spring about. The snowdrops will soon be at their best with beautiful white drifts all over the arboretum. The winter aconites are mingling with the snowdrops and the fuzzy witch hazels are flowering rust and gold. Lentern roses of every hue are budding ready for the wonderful display that there is here. Henry spooked a Muntjac this morning. They are such timid animals and it soon made its escape. We will be back next Saturday at the start of ‘Snowdrop week’.
Flickr News
Snowdrop drifts around Buddha
New to our Website
You can now see Batsford Arboretum through the eyes of our visitors. There is a website called flickr on which people who have visited us have placed their photos for anyone to see. The website is at www.flickr.com If you have a flickr account yourself and have visited us, if you tag your photos Batsford we will be able to view them too.
We would like to thank Mike Tayler who has kindly donated many of the photos of Batsford you will see on Flickr. He is a professional photographer and is available at m.tayler@macunlimited.net.
Photos of Batsford by Neil Dotti
Thanks to Neil for his Photos, click here to see more.
Adopt a Tree
Help to conserve this rare and beautiful collection of trees and celebrate a special event or commemorate a loved one. Choose one of over 3,300 trees in the arboretum. This tree will be exclusive to you and your personal dedication will be entered into a book of commemoretion.
Plans for the new visitor centre have been put on temporary hold as an appeal has been lodged in the High Court regarding planning permission given by Cotswold District Council.
Calendar of Events
January
1st – Walk off the New Year excesses around the Arboretum. 10am – 4pm.
Witch Hazels, coral Bark Maples and Mahonias. Start of Aconite and Snowdrop displays.
Open daily except Wednesdays.
February
1st – Open every day.
13th-21st – Snowdrop week. Snowdrops carpet the arboretum & selected varieties for sale in our plant centre.
March
Snowdrop displays. Daffodil displays begin.
1st – Annual Batsford Plant Centre Lecture at Blockley village hall. Ticket only.
20th – 28th – Daffodil Week.
Many wild Spring Flowers, Primroses Scillas etc.
April
2nd – 5th – Easter and National Cherry Weekend. See the Magnificent National Collection of 102 species in full flower.
Magnificent magnolias and the wild flowers abound such as Cowslips, Wood Anemones, Forget-me-nots and Violets.
May
Bluebells and wild garlic mingle under the trees.
17th – 25th -Davidia Week. This famous century old tree covered in snow white handkerchieves.
June
Evergreen Manolias and Judas Tree, wild flowers including foxgloves, buttercups & bugle.
Lush green foliage and dappled sunlight. Peace and tranquility.
July
Indian Bean Tree, Snowdrop Tree & Summer-flowering Magnolias.
Meadow flowers such as Spotted Heath Orchid.
August
1st – 31st – Children’s Competition £250 in cash prizes!
Some of the planets oldest trees such as Ginkgo or Maiden Hair Tree, which has been on Earth for 250 million years.
September
Stimulate the senses, as autumn approaches. Sugary scented Katsura Tree.
October and November
From 9th October until 7th November – Walk the Batsford ‘Golden Mile’. A trail around the arboretum following the best of the Autumn colour. ‘The greatest show on Earth.
Leaves and fruits on Maples, Cherries, Liquidambar and Mountain Ash, to name but a few, must be seen.
Fungi Foray 13th November – Hunt for mushrooms & toadstools in the arboretum with our local micologist expert.
Chainsaw carving demonstrations with a chance to buy. (Dates to be arranged)
December
Open daily except Wednesdays. See ‘visitor Info’ for details of Christmas Holiday opening.
26th – Boxing Day at Batsford. 10am-3pm. Christmas walks with complimentary mulled wine.