Looking ahead to 2026

We have some exciting news to share as we look ahead to the coming year. Tortworth Forest Centre has been awarded funding from the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund to support our 2026 visitor days. This support means we will be able to offer next year’s visitor days on a donation basis, making the arboretum more accessible to more people. It also allows us to add a few extra dates to the calendar, so keep an eye out for new opportunities to explore the woods.

Alongside this, we have taken some time to review our events programme and think carefully about where to focus our energy for the year ahead. After looking at the current market we have decided to take a pause from our bushcraft workshops during 2026. Bushcraft has been an important part of our offer and we know many people have joined us specifically for these sessions. This is not a goodbye, just a break. We hope to bring the workshops back in the future with a refreshed approach.

During the pause we will be concentrating on our Walk and Talk series, offering themed guided walks led by our knowledgeable team. These sessions are a wonderful chance to learn about the arboretum’s history, ecology and restoration work while enjoying the woodland at a slower pace. We will also be offering our programme of visitor days thanks to the National Lottery funding, giving more people the chance to reconnect with nature and explore this special place.

Every donation and every visit helps us continue the long term restoration of Tortworth’s historic woodland. It also supports our weekly woodland wellbeing projects, which bring people together to learn new skills, build confidence and find a sense of community in the forest.

Thank you to everyone who supports our work, whether by visiting, donating or volunteering. We look forward to welcoming you into the woods throughout 2026.