A new visitor centre for Winkworth Arboretum

A family look out over the lake from the Boathouse balcony at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey — Take in the lake view from the Boathouse at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey | © National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

Winkworth Arboretum was created over 80 years ago as a glorious celebration of trees. It was the creation of local physician and horticulturalist Dr Wilfrid Fox in the 1930s and has been in the complete care of the National Trust since 1988. We're are now making further investments so that it remains a horticultural gem.

Our proposal

We submitted a planning application back in 2020 for a new visitor centre based on consultations with stakeholders, visitors and the local community. Whilst the planning application was approved the pandemic put the project on hold. We reignited the project in 2022 and contruction is now underway with completion expected in summer 2024.

The building will include a brand new café, shop, toilets, visitor reception and office space.

The new car park will improve visitor access and help to ease traffic congestion on the road at busy times.

Why are we building a new visitor centre?

We want to ensure that Winkworth Arboretum remains a horticulture gem and treasure of the local community. Our current visitor facilities are no longer adequate and struggle to cope at busy times. We need to address this in order to meet visitor expectations.

Building a first-class year-round facility will generate additional income, providing us with financial stability. The additional financial resource will enable us to continue to care for the Arboretum so that future generations can enjoy its unique beauty and tranquillity in the changing seasons.

Once the work is completed, Winkworth will have modern and welcoming facilities that our supporters and the place itself deserve. Our staff and volunteers will have the space and resources they need.

Will the construction work affect my visit?

During construction, we hope to keep any disruption to a minimum and our café and toilet facilities will remain open. Please keep checking social media and our website before you visit for any operational changes that we have been put in place.

If you have any specific questions or concerns, please email us at winkwortharboretum@natonaltrust.org.uk

What will the new Visitor Centre look like?

Winkworth Arboretum new visitor centre artists impression | © IPT Architects

Artist impression of the new Visitor Centre at Winkworth Arboretum

The building has been sympathetically designed in keeping the Arboretum and will be accessed via a modern car park with EV charging points

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