Westonbirt Arboretum has struck gold following an incognito visit by national tourism chiefs.

The 600-acre woodland has been awarded a Gold Accolade by VisitEngland, the country’s official tourism body.

Renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection, the arboretum is one of only 11 visitor centres in the country to achieve the high level recognition in the latest round of awards aimed at short-break attractions.

Other winners among a diverse range of ventures were Corinium Museum in Cirencester and Robinsons’ Victorian brewery in Stockport.

VisitEngland officials paid a mystery tourist visit during which they conducted a “rigorous investigation” of the arboretum’s facilities.

They concluded Westonbirt offered an “extremely enjoyable visitor experience”, with the new developments providing visitors with “a better welcome and considerably improving the admissions process.”

Paul Cody, head of visitor attraction at Westonbirt, said: “We are really thrilled. We are committed to delivering a high-level visitor experience and this award highlights the hard work that has gone into both improving site layout and visitor engagement and information.”

Westonbirt, managed by the Forestry Commission, has about 350,000 visitors a year to see its 15,000 specimens of trees and shrubs.

It was established in the 1850s by landowner Robert Holford and developed by his son, George. Westonbirt is laid out for aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria.

VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford said attractions such as Westonbirt were among the country’s great assets, creating appeal for visitors at home and from abroad.

The Vamps join forest’s gigs line-up

The Vamps will bring their pop anthems to the forest as the latest act to be booked to play Westonbirt Arboretum this summer. The group, which has notched up 230 million YouTube and Vevo views, will appear on June 21.
They rose to fame last year with a string of sold-out tour dates and the release of their debut album, Meet The Vamps.   
The show will be one of two Forest Live gigs by The Vamps – known for songs such as Can We Dance, Last Night, Wild Heart and Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart) – with the other being at Sherwood Pines near Mansfield on June 27.
Forest Live is organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences. Income from tickets is spent on protecting, improving and expanding forests and woodlands.
Other acts at Westonbirt this year are Robert Plant with The Sensational Space Shifters (July 10), Paloma Faith (June 19) and Tom Odell (June 20).
Tickets for The Vamps are £32.50 (plus booking fee), on sale from 9am on Saturday on 03000 680400 or at www.forestry.gov.uk/music