Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walsall-arboretum-near-birmingham"><strong>Walsall Arboretum</strong>, near Birmingham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="540" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/89263193_2455667974535358_7056821822142021632_o.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-38079" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/89263193_2455667974535358_7056821822142021632_o.jpg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/89263193_2455667974535358_7056821822142021632_o-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/89263193_2455667974535358_7056821822142021632_o-720x405.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/89263193_2455667974535358_7056821822142021632_o-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/89263193_2455667974535358_7056821822142021632_o-900x506.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



<p>This Victorian public park with formal gardens is run by the council and located close to Walsall town centre, near Birmingham. Part of the park and surrounding housing are covered by the Arboretum conservation area.&nbsp;It&#8217;s one of the borough&#8217;s most beautiful and best-loved parks with a boating lake, lakeside café, tennis courts and open playing fields. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-batsford-arboretum-moreton-in-marsh"><strong><a href="http://batsarb.co.uk">Batsford Arboretum</a>, Moreton-in-Marsh</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Batsford-Arboretum.jpg" alt="Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh" class="wp-image-150673" /></figure>



<p>These 60 acres on the Glos/Oxon border are a big hitter in the warmer months with their National Collection of Japanese Flowering Cherries, but they also have a pretty autumn/winter offering with reddish-purple Japanese maple trees lining the walkways. (The ornate bridges in particular make it Instagram catnip). There are several photography workshops running throughout the season too, if you fancy going pro. Head to the Garden Terrace Café for a post-walk coffee or afternoon tea, and pick up a few plants on the way out from the garden centre which stocks many of the plants found in the Arboretum. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thenford-arboretum-and-gardens-near-banbury"><strong><a href="http://thenfordarboretum.com">Thenford Arboretum and Gardens</a>, near Banbury </strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Thenford-Arboretum.jpg" alt="Thenford Arboretums" class="wp-image-150662" /></figure>



<p>This 70 acre estate, a short drive northwest of the market town of Brackley and east of Banbury,, surrounds an elegant Georgian house (you can’t enter, but it’s pretty to look at). Along with the landscaped gardens, the arboretum is spread across the 70 acres and features a collection of over 3,000 different trees and shrubs as well as pretty water gardens peppered throughout. There’s also a sculpture garden, rose garden and Medieval fish pond. The pristine gardens and arboretum are only open to the public for a few days a year, so pick up tickets for their Autumn Open Days on 25 Oct<em>.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-westonbirt-national-arboretum-tetbury-glos"><strong><a href="http://forestryengland.uk">Westonbirt National Arboretum</a>, Tetbury</strong>, Glos</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Westonbirt-Arboretum.jpg" alt="Westonbirt National Arboretum, Tetbury, Glos" class="wp-image-150675" /></figure>



<p>Here you’ll find over 15,000 trees, including five national tree collections which you can see from the 300 meter Treetop Walkway or along the many walking or running (erm, no thanks) trails around the Arboretum. Kids are catered for with play areas and a ’The Ballard of Birtha’ family trail designed by children’s illustrator and author Duncan Beedie. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kew-gardens-london"><strong><a href="http://kew.org">Kew Gardens</a>, London</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Kew-Gardens-Autumn.jpg" alt="Kew Gardens, London" class="wp-image-150714" /></figure>



<p>Kew Gardens is on the west side of the city so not too far for Warks &amp; West Mids dwellers too (Kew station is a five minute walk away from the gardens). There’s an awesome 18 meter high Treetop Walkway overlooking the gardens (it’s closed for some days in October this year, so double-check before you book) and there are cool art exhibitions to scope out too. If you make the trip on a chilly day you can warm up in the iconic Victorian glasshouses. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bodenham-arboretum-near-kidderminster"><strong><a href="https://www.bodenhamarboretum.co.uk/">Bodenham Arboretum</a>, near Kidderminster</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/61338-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-38080" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/61338-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/61338-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/61338-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/61338-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/61338-1-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A modern arboretum located in a protected valley just outside Kidderminster over some 54 acres, it features mature woodland, specimen trees and shrubs. This Arboretum lies around a big pool where many rare and ornamental trees can be seen in flower or fruit at all times of the year; their autumn colours are a special beauty.  More than 3,000 species of tree and shrubs include important collections of Acers, North American Oaks and Alders. All of these are catalogued and labelled  in book form and computer .  From the higher reaches of the Arboretum enjoy extensive views to the Clent Hills and surrounding countryside.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winkworth-arboretum-surrey"><strong><a href="http://nationaltrust.org.uk">Winkworth Arboretum</a>, Surrey </strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/1360515_view-from-rowes-flash-meadow.jpg" alt="Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey " class="wp-image-150713" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">©&nbsp;Andrew Butler</figcaption></figure>



<p>This 46 hectare arboretum was given to the National Trust over 60 years ago and has loads of rare trees and shrubs amongst the 1,000 varieties found in the gardens, many with berries, nuts and fruits. You’ll also find an impressive fungi selection (none of the magic variety, sorry) once the mushrooms are out in full force. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heartwood-forest-herts"><strong><a href="http://heartwood.woodlandtrust.org.uk">Heartwood Forest</a>, Herts </strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/09/heartwood-arboretum-ariel-view.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-96519" /></figure>



<p>Part of the Woodland Trust, Heartwood Forest, found near St Albans, is the largest continuous new forest in England (at a whopping 347 hectares and growing) and has an abundance of wildlife to spot along the various marked trials. Planted in 2015/16, the arboretum is the new kid on the block but when fully grown (as you can see there’s not much there at the moment!) will feature all 60 trees and shrubs native to the British isles, the only arboretum in the UK to do so. There are also stunning pockets of ancient woodland dotted throughout, to admire right now. Also new is a community orchard which will feature over 600 fruit trees, including many old Hertfordshire varieties of apple, pear, cherry and plumb. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-savill-gardens-windsor-berks"><a href="http://windsorgreatpark.co.uk">The Savill Gardens</a>, Windsor, Berks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/09/Savill-Garden-Windsor-Autumn.jpg" alt="Savill Garden Windsor Autumn" class="wp-image-47979" /></figure>



<p>You can bank on Windsor’s <a href="https://www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk/book" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Savill Garden</a> to show some seasonal leg during the autumn months (or any month, to be honest). This under-the-radar Berkshire park is an explosion of seasonal planting, rare plants and woodland. There’s 35-acres and a series of interconnected gardens to explore. The Hidden Garden, Valley Gardens, Autumn Wood and Winter Garden are among our favourites. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finchampstead-ridges-wokingham-berks"><a href="http://nationaltrust.org.uk">Finchampstead Ridges</a>, Wokingham, Berks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/wellingtonia-avenue_Finchampstead-Ridges.jpg" alt="wellingtonia avenue_Finchampstead Ridges" class="wp-image-30728" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wellingtonia Avenue in Wokingham</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/runnymede-and-ankerwycke/visit-finchampstead-ridges">Finchampstead Ridges</a>, nestled in southern Berkshire, has been in the National Trust family for over 100 years. Head to Simon’s Wood and walk the avenue of redwood <em>Sequoia</em> trees (also known as Wellingtonia Avenue), planted in 1863. See if you can spot the second century Roman Road, nicknamed the Devil’s Highway and Heat’s Pond is a pretty spot at this time of the year. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-basildon-park-lower-basildon-berks"><a href="http://nationaltrust.org.uk">Basildon Park</a>, Lower Basildon, Berks </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Basildon-Park-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47273" /></figure>



<p>Grab your big coat and boots and make like a Nora Ephron film in a kaleidoscope of yellow, red and burnt orange at <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Basildon Park</strong></a>. Take the ‘orange’ or ‘green’ walk through beech woodland to see the colours of guelder rose, maple, spindle and larch along the whole route. Lots of leaf swishing, free range fun for the kids and 50 shades of autumn in one hit. Wear wellies, the woodland paths can get pretty muddy. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vyne-basingstok-e-hants"><strong><a href="http://nationaltrust.org.uk">The Vyne</a>, Basingstok</strong>e, Hants</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/The-Vyne-National-Trust.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47279" /></figure>



<p>Stop off at our favourite <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/the-vyne">Tudor mansion in Hampshire</a> for an Insta-worthy view of the autumn leaves. American liquidambar trees set the landscape on fire with their bright red leaves that change to yellow and orange as the seasons shift. Call a friend, go for a leisurely walk before a cuppa or hot chocolate at the kiosk. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bolderwood-arboretum-new-forest-hants"><strong><a href="http://forestryengland.uk">Bolderwood Arboretum</a>, New Forest</strong>, Hants</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/09/Bolderwood.jpg" alt="BOLDERWOOD ARBORETUM" class="wp-image-47976" /></figure>



<p>Spanning 566 square kilometres, the New Forest is quite frankly huge. Head to the <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/bolderwood">Bolderwood Arboretum</a> for some autumn tree gold, as the ferns turn a beautiful rusty red below. This area was originally part of the Bolderwood Lodge until 1833, and now it’s open for hikers and bikers – plus there’s the <a href="https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/things-to-do/bolderwood-deer-sanctuary-p789391">Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary</a> viewing platform for wildlife spotting. Keep your eyes peeled for giant redwood trees, which are among some of the tallest trees in Britain. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blackwater-arboretum-new-forest-hants"><a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/blackwater"><strong>Blackwater Arboretum</strong></a><strong>, New Forest</strong>, Hants</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/09/BLACKWATER.jpg" alt="Blackwater Arboretum New Forest" class="wp-image-47974" /></figure>



<p>Elsewhere in the New Forest, Blackwater is a tree-haven in the heart of this wild expanse. Take a stroll through the forest, brought to life with fiery yellow and crimson red leaves, and spot the wooden sculptures dotted around the trees. Handy hint: it has its own car parking spaces and toilet. </p>


Stunning arboretums to explore in Warks, the West Mids & beyond

You may also like