Uley Society Annual Walk 2024
This 20 acre site is being restored by Tortworth Forest Centre CIC, a community project supported by a huge team of volunteers with grant funding from the National Lottery and other local funders.
Originally part of the Tortworth Estate, the Dell and surrounding woodland was a deer park until the arboretum was planted between 1853 and 1921 by the tree-fanatic 3rd Earl of Ducie, Henry John Moreton who also had links to Woodchester Park and Sheppards Mill in Uley.
Tortworth Arboretum was largely neglected through the war years with changing guardians, until HMP Leyhill facilitated prisoners to support the restoration and management of the woodland for many years. Unfortunately due to changes in management and funding, the Leyhill reduced their involvement and eventually the site was abandoned once more for over a decade, allowing the rhododendron, bamboo and bramble to take over leaving it inaccessible.
In 2014, the Dell was bought by woodlands.co.uk, who offered a unique opportunity to restore and open it for conservation, education, and wellbeing lead by the local community and Tortworth Forest Centre was founded. Hundreds of local volunteers from South Gloucestershire and Bristol have been involved in restoring and caring for the collection of 600+ rare, exotic and native trees.
On our visit we walked a circular route around the site to see several champion trees including the Hungarian Oak, Japanese Maple and Japanese Horse Chestnut. We were also lucky to catch the end of the flowering period of the beautiful Rhododendrons and the Handkerchief Tree.
Alongside the restoration, the CIC enables and empowers local residents struggling with their mental health to connect with nature and learn new skills. They especially focus on supporting people from urban areas such as Bristol, Kingswood, Yate and Bradley Stoke to access the countryside for wellbeing, offering a free minibus service for participants and volunteers from these areas to ensure car ownership is not a barrier to belonging in nature.
Tortworth Forest Centre run a range of exciting seasonal community events throughout the year, purchasing a ticket supports the restoration of the arboretum and the delivery of wellbeing groups. Find out more on their website.