Distance from Broadway - 46 miles
(3.5 miles - Tetbury)
Westonbirt near Tetbury in Gloucestershire is very well known for its arboretum. Westonbirt Arboretum is perhaps the most important and widely known arboretum in the United Kingdom. (managed by the Forestry Commission). The arboretum was established in 1829 by Robert Stayner Holford who inherited the property ten years later, and was later extended by his son Sir George Holford. It is close to the Holford family's mansion Westonbirt House, which is now a girls' boarding school, though it does not form the garden of the building, which is on the other side of a public road. After the death of George in 1926 ownership passed to his nephew the fourth Earl of Morley, and eventually to the Forestry Commission in 1956.
Westonbirt Arboretum comprises some 18,000 trees and shrubs, over an area of approximately 600 acres (2.4 km²). Its 17 miles (27 km) of marked paths are popular with visitors, and provide access to a wide variety of rare plants.
Tetbury
Tetbury was once one of the most important cloth market towns of the southern Cotswolds. When the wool trade declined, Tetbury became a general market town. But the history of Tetbury can be traced back much earlier than its wool trading times. In 681 AD the first Saxon monastry was built on the site of a hill fort and the subsequent modern name of Tetbury arrived.The industrial revolution bypassed Tetbury, so it is for its wool industry that Tetbury is probably best known.In the middle ages, prosperity grew and in common with many towns in the area this prosperity lead to many fine buildings being built. Tetbury itself was designated as an outstanding conservation area in 1971.
Tetbury has strong Royal links through Highgrove and Gatcombe Park. Highgrove, home to the Prince of Wales is just a short drive from Tetbury and Gatcombe Park, home to the Princess Royal is also nearby. Further Royal links extend to the nearby Badminton Park, home to the world famous annual Badminton Horse trials.
