Biodiversity Detectives family trail

children crouching and gazing at objects on grass outside

About

Become a biodiversity detective and search for as many livings things in nature as you can as you follow along this family woodland trail. Discover what lives at Westonbirt through our trail challenges and activities. Collect your detectives activity sheet from the Welcome Building to complete as you go, and return to collect your reward at the end!

Self-guided trail suitable for children aged 6yrs and over.

Trail is found in dog friendly Silk Wood, and begins by taking you over the impressive Tree Top Walkway.

Directions

Map Link

Road Directions

By Car:
From M4 (approx 20 mins)

Exit Motorway at Junction 18
Take the A46 north towards Stroud
After a few miles turn right onto the A433 (signed Cirencester). Continue on this road for approx three miles and the arboretum is on your left.
From M5 (approx 20 mins)

Exit at Junction 13 onto the A419 (towards Stroud) Take the A46 (towards Bath)
After going though Nailsworth, you come to traffic lights at the cross-roads
Turn left onto A4135 to Tetbury
In Tetbury, turn right on the A433
Continue on this road, passing through Doughton, for approx three miles. The arboretum is on your right.

Public Transport Directions

By Public Transport:
The Robin Bus is your local, friendly bookable bus service. From Gloucestershire County Council, this bus service improves connections between rural areas which often have infrequent or no fixed routes available. Westonbirt is part of the Cotswolds South area, meaning you can get to Westonbirt for £2! You will also receive the public transport discount on your Westonbirt admission ticket! For more information, check out the website. Available 7:00am to 7:00pm, Monday to Saturday.
Why not go car-free and enjoy a discount on your admission cost. You can reach us by bus on Mondays to Saturdays. Stagecoach - Single journeys capped at £2 - Starts 1st January 2023 until June 2024.
You can also save money with the Cotswolds Discoverer Pass, which gives you unlimited off-peak travel around the Cotswolds by train and bus for the day.

Bus routes and times:
From Stroud Bus 69 runs to Westonbirt several times a day, allowing for a 3 or 6 hour visit.
From Bath take Bus 620, which continues as bus 69 from Old Sodbury to Westonbirt (stay on the same bus).
From Bristol take Bus Y1 or Bus Y5 to Yate Shopping Centre to connect with bus 620/69.

Train travel:
There are direct trains to Stroud from London, Reading, Swindon, Gloucester and Cheltenham. You can also visit Westonbirt by train and bus from Bath.
Kemble and Yate Stations are the closest stations to Westonbirt. It's a 20-minute taxi ride from either. A group of 3 or more can save 34% on GWR trains with a GroupSave ticket.
Book your bike onto the train to Kemble, and cycle 15-miles to Westonbirt. No cycling is allowed inside the arboretum.

Arriving by bicycle?
Westonbirt welcomes visitors who arrive by bicycle. Adult and older children cycling is not permitted in the arboretum itself and visitors are to lock their bikes up at the racks provided.