Frequently asked hire questions

1. How do I find you?

Please follow the directions on our planning your visit page 

Tip: Avoid directing  guests to the De Vere Tortworth Court Hotel reception as people have sometimes been directed to Westonbirt Arboretum. 

2. How do I get in?

On arrival the gates will be closed and locked. The code/s will be shared with the lead hirer shortly before the hire date. Please do not share these outside of your group. Whenever gates are unattended the padlock and chain should be securely locked. These items are often misplaced, and all losses will be charged for. 

3. Where should I park?

You can park anywhere along our lane. We do not share the hotel car park and do not have use of  their grounds for parking.  

4. Can anyone use the public footpath? 

Yes, the footpath is a public right of way. This can mean people occasionally wander up the lane looking for it. We recommend closing the car gate and putting the chain back across the lane once your group has arrived, as a visual deterrent to anyone who might miss the private signs (it does happen from time to time). We also recommend putting a notice on the donkey bridge informing people there is a private event taking place. If you’re comfortable doing so, you’re welcome to kindly let people know that the land beyond the footpath is private. Most people are friendly and simply unaware, and a gentle reminder is usually enough.

5. Can I light the fire?

You may! But please be mindful the fire pit is designed for cooking and heating water, not as a bonfire. The below is a reminder of our firepit terms and conditions.

• You can bring wood, collect deadwood from the ground or pay for some to be prepared. Please do not help yourself from the store.
• Keep fires small and centred (at least 15 cm from the edge)
• Only use logs up to 30 cm long
• Do not light fires in windy conditions
• Always have 10+ litres of water ready to put the fire out
• Fully extinguish all flames and embers before leaving
• Children and vulnerable people must be supervised at all times
• BBQ’s and cooking should take place in the Roundhouse only.
• Disposable BBQ’s and sky lanterns are not permitted anywhere on site. 

6. Do we have permission to forage?

Foraging for abundant plants is permitted, at your own risk. There are often toxic plants hiding amongst edible ones so we ask that you do not pick any plants unless you know what you’re doing. Practitioners should include foraging in insurance and risk assessments.

Foraging for fungi is prohibited at all times. 

7. I don’t like the idea of a compost loo, can I hire one in?

Yes you may! Please share details of any sub-contractors with us when you book them, and talk to your Event Manager about when it’s appropriate for these items to be delivered and collected.

8. Where should I camp?

A map of the camping area will be shared with all overnight bookings

9. Can we use the wheelbarrows etc to get our kit to and from the car?

We’d love to be helpful here, but we have seen too much damage to our equipment (including wheelbarrows and trolleys) to continue allowing it to be used outside of our maintenance and volunteer days. These represent big investments for Tortworth and we can’t afford to keep replacing them.

10. Is there a light in the loo?

Yes and no. We have a solar light which charges slowly when the trees are in leaf or when reliant on winter sun, therefore it is intermittent at best. You are recommended to bring a head torch or another means of lighting this space after dark.

11. Are dogs welcome?

This is at the discretion of the lead hirer. As far we’re concerned we love well behaved pups. Please do not allow them to irritate the wildlife, and ensure you have properly cleared up after them. There is no bin on site. 

12. Who do I contact if I have a problem?  

Tortworth Forest Centre is a self-sufficient woodland site with no staff based on-site or on call. Hirers and visitors are expected to take responsibility for their own group’s safety and wellbeing during their stay. In the event of an emergency, useful contact numbers and details can be found on the emergency contact sheet on the outside of the green shipping container by the pedestrian gate.

13. Are there maps of the site?

Visitor maps, including information on some signature trees can be found here. 

14. I found an interesting plant, who should I tell?

You can help collect information for future generations to learn what the arboretum is like today by adding to this species list

15. How should I leave the site?

We kindly ask all hirers to leave the premises as you found it, or better. Put out the fire, litter pick, wash up and put everything back where you found it ready for the next user including benches, tables, logs etc. Whilst occasional dens and structures from fallen wood around the site are welcome, we ask that you leave or return as much as possible for wildlife. Anything around the roundhouse area should be dismantled and materials tidied away before you leave. Thank you.

16. What’s included in the hire? What should we bring along?

Tortworth is a basic site. There are two compost toilets (one reserved for larger groups) and Roundhouse shelter which contains a firepit, benches and tables. You can comfortably seat around 12 to dine at a table, or more if you’re happy to eat more rustically. There are trivets and a griddle for cooking. There is also a sink for washing up, but you’ll need to provide water as there’s no plumbing or electricity on site.

You’ll see a number of tools around the container near the roundhouse, including wheelbarrows and a garden trolley. Please refrain from using  (or allowing children to play) with these; they are vital restoration tools and all too easily damaged. 

Included in the hirers kit:

• First aid kit
• Burns kit
• Large kettle
• Fireproof gloves
• Trivets
• A loose griddle for holding pans over the fire
• Washing up liquid
• Sponge/cloth
• Washing up bowl
• A variety of cooking pots
• Small frying pan

We recommend bringing:

• Kindling and firewood (unless you’ve ordered some from us)
• Matches/lighter
• Something to stoke the fire
• Frying pan
• Cooking utensils
• The food you wish to cook (don’t forget the marshmallows!) and something to keep it covered so wildlife doesn’t get it
• Water for cooking and drinking plus at least 10l for extinguishing the fire
• Crockery and cutlery
• Cups
• Tea/coffee/hot chocolate
• Milk
• A tea-towel for drying up
• Bags for rubbish, recycling and food waste
• Hand sanitiser
• Maps of the arboretum

17. May we bring decorations?

You’re very welcome to bring decorations, though we think the arboretum is beautiful just as it is. Please avoid helium balloons as these aren’t permitted anywhere on site. We encourage using natural or biodegradable materials where possible, and ask that you remove all decorations when you leave. Any unwanted natural materials can be added to our compost pile, which you’ll find near the second loo.

18. Are fireworks or sky lanterns allowed?

No, these are not permitted anywhere on site. They can be dangerous to people, wildlife and trees, and we ask all hirers to respect this rule to keep the arboretum safe and beautiful.

19. What about sparklers?

Sparklers are permitted within the Roundhouse clearing, as long as there are buckets placed nearby to safely extinguish them.

20. Are there dates or times when hire isn’t available?

Yes. We run weekly wellbeing groups on Tuesdays year round, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays during Bristol term times. We also host a Volunteer Sunday on the third weekend of each month, along with seasonal visitor days and events throughout the year. Hire is not available during these times. You can find a list of event dates here. Otherwise we are open all year round, you could even book us for a festive lunch!

21. Can I have more than 50 guests or hire a marquee?

Yes. For hires of more than one night that involve more than 50 guests, and/or temporary structures such as marquees or stretch tents, a tree adoption is required as part of the booking at a cost of £250. This helps offset the impact on the arboretum and supports the ongoing restoration and care of the woodland.