Skip to content
back to Winkworth Arboretum

Our work at Winkworth Arboretum

A group of apprentices gardeners on a guided walk at Winkworth Arboretum. They are walking along a pathway looking at trees.
Head Gardener, Graham Alderton giving a guided tour of Winkworth to National Trust apprentice gardeners | © James Dobson

Founded in the early 20th century, Winkworth is the vision of Dr Wildrid Fox, a local doctor. His unconventional approach to planting, selecting trees and plants for their diverse size, colour, scent, texture, and shape has create the stunning seasonal panoramas that make Winkworth so special. The National Trust has been his maintaining and caring for the arboretum for over 60 years.

About the Arboretum

The 119-acre estate of Winkworth Arboretum is set on sandy soil in the Thorncombe Valley, part of the Surrey Hills. It has many habitats including wetlands, ancient woodland, wildflower meadow, grasslands, ponds, fernery and a lake.

Described as a ‘landscape arboretum’, it is planted in a manner to incorporate views, form and colour. The Garden team cares for over 100 Champion Trees and over 1,000 rare and unusual specimen trees such as flowering cherries, Magnolias, 22 species of Oak tree a large collection of Japanese maples and many more.

Helping nature thrive

At the heart of the managed landscape is a mix of habitats that make up the arboretum. There is a coppice, which is managed for optimal dormice habitat, and miles of dead hedge and outlying habitat ‘buffer zones’, planted and managed to help wildlife thrive. In the more scenic areas, such as Magnolia Wood, the Summer Garden, Cherry Avenue and Spring Walk, the gardeners are always working to improve and extend wildlife corridors whilst providing a rich and colourful site for visitors to enjoy.

Environmental challenges

The garden team curate the tree collection, making sure the newly planted specimens are tended to whilst managing the veteran, notable and important trees. Being on a hillside with sandy soil, some of the trees in the collection have not fared well due to climate change. This has meant sourcing drought resistant specimens and a change in approach to planting so that visitors can continue to enjoy the arboretum long into the future. This includes providing terracing or ‘planting shelves’, closing off some footpaths and opening areas of ground to provide a soakaway deep into the hillside bank to prevent rain running off the bank and past the planted trees.

Colour azeleas boardering a set of steps at Winkworth Arboretum
The Azalea Steps at Winkworth Arboretum | © Laurence Perry

International recognition

Winkworth is listed on the Morton Register of Arboreta and has Level 2 ArbNet accreditation in recognition for achieving global standards of professional practice. Both the register and the ArbNet Accreditation Programme are run by the Morton Arboretum, an internationally recognised tree-focused botanical garden and research organisation based in the United States.

‘The accreditation is a good step forward for the team at Winkworth. It is recognition of their hard work and passion for a unique and beautiful arboretum. The gardeners and volunteers work hand in hand with the Visitor Experience team who make sure our visitors have a great day out but credit goes to the whole Surrey Landscapes portfolio as nothing can be achieved without all the hard work of every member of staff we are lucky to have.’ 

- Graham Alderton, Head Gardener, Surrey Landscapes Portfolio 

Pair of ducks swimming in the Upper Pond at dusk in the park at Petworth House and Park, West Sussex

Donate

Everyone needs nature, now more than ever. Donate today and you could help people and nature to thrive at the places we care for.

Make a donation

You might also be interested in

Walking at Winkworth Arboretum 

With 121 acres of woodland to explore in the Surrey Hills AONB, the internationally significant landscape of Winkworth Arboretum is a wonderful place for a stroll year round.

A group of visitors walking along a path between trees at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Visiting Winkworth Arboretum with your dog 

Winkworth Arboretum is a two pawprint rated place. Well-behaved dogs and their owners are welcome to explore Winkworth at any time of year. Find out more about bringing your four-legged friend with you when you visit.

Visitor walking a dog in the grounds of Mount Stewart with a fallen tree in the background and leaves on the ground

Things to see and do at Winkworth Arboretum 

Follow winding footpaths and stumble upon hidden glades and wetlands at Winkworth Arboretum. With more than 1,000 different shrubs and trees, immerse yourself in colour and nature all year.

Rowes Flashe Lake at Winkworth Arboretum surrounded by lush greenery. Trees with various shades of green foliage are abundant, and the sky is partly cloudy with sunlight filtering through. The water reflects the surrounding trees and sky, creating a tranquil and picturesque scene.

Group visits to Winkworth Arboretum 

Share your love of nature and woodland by arranging a group visit or guided tour to Winkworth Arboretum, with its historical woodland, beautiful plants and impressive scenery.

A group of visitors walking along a path between trees at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Sign up to hear more from the National Trust

By sharing your email address you’re agreeing to receive marketing emails from the National Trust and confirm you’re 18 years old or over. Please see our for more information on how we look after your personal data.