Arley Arboretum & Gardens

Arley Arboretum & Gardens provides the ideal day out for you and your family, a dream escape from the bustle of everyday life. There is plenty to do for all ages from the Italian garden with its fountain, to the Themed Trails and maze. Our Peacocks are also a splendid sight wandering around the gardens.

Our Italian Garden features formal plantings, grand water features, a temple and dovecote helping make the peaceful walled garden a very special place within the arboretum. Outside the walls, the trees of the arboretum rise majestically skyward. Inside, there is time to sit, relax and contemplate.

A wonderful new fountain forms the centrepiece of the Italian Garden designed and manufactured in Italy and purchased with a donation. The spectacular centre jet reaches a height of 18 feet and is surrounded by smaller jets. The centre jet is operational four times a day, and the smaller jets run all day.

The Lime trees you see lining the walls of the Italian garden are Silver limes and have been pruned back using the pleaching method which resembles a hedge on sticks. Two of the trees you can see have mistletoe growing on them, which is a semi-parasitic plant.

The Magnolia Garden is sheltered and sunny; a magical place in spring. Hidden behind a living arch, the long curving path and low box border is the perfect setting for the stunning display of magnolias, from pure white through to pink, low forms and tall trees.

The Arboretum also feaures Rhododendrons & Azaleas, Acers, Crimean Pines and Layerd Beeches.

We have lots of activities for the children too including the Forestry Adventure Clubs. Hidden in the trees of Arley Arboretum there is a hidden clearing where only brave adventurers go… This is the Forestry Adventure Club and home to our Forestry Mini-Adventure Club!

Forestry Mini-Adventure Club is a parent and toddler group that we run every Thursday 10-11 during term time and during each school holiday we run the Forestry Adventure Club for children aged 2-12!

We have loads of fun activities at every club including Arts & Crafts, Mud Kitchen, Mini Beast Hunts, Pond Dipping, Camp Fire Cooking, Campfire Songs, Story Telling and More!

Our Kids Trails at Arley Arboretum are great for children of all ages to enjoy! Including a Fairy trail, Dinosaur trail and Woodland Animal trail, each trail lasts between 30 minutes and an hour, and when you have finished your trail, take your completed activity sheet to the Tearoom to claim a prize!

Why not come and experience the multi-play Tower, Dragonfly Seesaw, Outdoor Gym and much, much more in our Children’s Play Area! The adventure play area is suitable for children between the ages of 2 and 14. And for anyone feeling like an adventure, Arley Arboretum has an exciting maze that people always get lost in. You can cheat and get maps at the kiosk to help, but don’t forget if you do find someone lost in there, take pity and show them the way out!

There is so much to enjoy at Arley, with plant sales, regular courses, parties, a tea room and even weddings, so take a look at our website for more details.