Work begins on project to revitalise Westonbirt Arboretum (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)
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Work begins on project to revitalise Westonbirt Arboretum
8:00am Monday 21st January 2013 in Cotswolds news By Ian Craig
An artist's impression of the new car park and approach to the welcome building at Westonbirt Arboretum
WORK has begun on a project set to revitalise one of the Cotswolds’ most popular attractions.
The first stage of the Westonbirt Project – which will see significant at the National Arboretum at Westonbirt – has got underway with work beginning on a new car park.
Construction of a new welcome building, along with restorations to the Downs landscape, is also set to begin in the summer, with work expected to last around 18 months.
Opening times and access to the arboretum’s tree collection will not be affected during this time. Arboretum director Simon Toomer said the project represented a great opportunity to improve facilities at Westonbirt.
“These are much needed developments that have been talked about for over a decade and will help to ensure we can give visitors a much better experience for many years to come,” he said.
The project has been able to go forward thanks to donations by a range of sources including the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, along with a £1.9m Heritage Lottery Grant.
Fundraising has also begun for later stages of the project which will include a treetop walkway and a tree management centre.
