The Yorkshire Arboretum will reopen for the 2020 season on Sunday 1st March, with full café service from Saturday 7th March. Several major developments have taken place at the arboretum during its period of closure, including the preparations and early construction of the UK’s first Tree Health Centre.
The arboretum has recently partnered with Good Journey – an independent not-for-profit organisation working to transform car-free travel to visitor attractions in the UK – to offer discount to car-free visitors. Car-free visitors will receive 50% off admission, either by presenting a CastleLine bus ticket or traveling by bike. The CastleLine bus runs direct to Castle Howard for the arboretum, stopping on the opposite side of the roundabout.
There is plenty to see at the arboretum as winter gives way to spring. Crops of snowdrops and other seasonal wildflowers added colour and interest while many trees begin their period of growth. Arboretum director Dr John Grimshaw said: “Preparations for the Peter Sowerby Building that will house the Tree Health Centre is in full swing and the approach looks rather different. If you can overlook it, the arboretum is as lovely as ever; with signs of spring everywhere. Our car-free offer not only aligns itself with our sustainability aims, but also emphasises our new Tree Health Centre mission statement: Healthy trees for a healthy future”.