📍 Moreton-in-Marsh
Batsford Arboretum
Tree garden near Moreton-in-Marsh with woodland trails, streams, bridges and a famous spring display.
✦ We visited
Go in blossom season if you can, the magnolias are breathtaking. The little bridges and streams are what keep the children moving, so follow the water.
Batsford Arboretum near Moreton-in-Marsh is one of the largest private tree collections in the country, set across a sloping hillside with streams, waterfalls, little bridges and winding paths. For families it is a place to roam and explore rather than a built attraction, and children enjoy crossing the bridges, splashing along the water features and finding the hidden statues and a bronze deer among the trees.
It is at its most spectacular in spring, when the magnolias and cherry blossom put on a famous display, and again in autumn when the Japanese maples turn fiery. There are seasonal family trails, a good cafe with views over the garden, and a garden centre. The paths are steep in places, so it is harder going with a buggy, though the main routes are manageable.
It suits all ages as a gentle outdoor day, with the youngest enjoying the bridges and streams and grown-ups the planting. Bring wellies and let the children lead the way.
Good for: outdoors, sensory. Ages: 0–2, 3–4, 5–7, 8–11, 12+.
Good to know
Is Batsford Arboretum good for children?
Yes, the streams, bridges, hidden statues and woodland paths give children plenty to explore.
When is the best time to visit Batsford?
Spring for the magnolia and cherry blossom, and autumn for the Japanese maple colour.
Is Batsford Arboretum buggy friendly?
The main paths are manageable but several routes are steep, so it is harder going with a buggy.