Entry to the Arboretum is free and it is open 365 days a year.
Please note we do not propagate plants for sale.
Parking is possible in Sandy Lane - immediately adjacent to the Arboretum - or by the Village Shop in School Lane, from which access to the Arboretum is achieved by a 5-10 minute walk on a public footpath.
The Arboretum is the creation of Nicholas Smith of Wyncombe Hill, who has planted and tended every tree since its inception.
The first plants went into the ground in the mid 1970s and planting has continued steadily ever since.
The plants have been grown from seed collected by NWS from other arboreta; bought from specialist nurseries; and brought back from Asia and South America by plant hunting expeditions sponsored by NWS.
The Arboretum has over 800 trees and shrubs (of which about 700 are listed on the website), including many rare species from around the world.
This website is supplemented by galleries of photographs, all taken in the Arboretum or (in the case of some birds close by) by our resident photographer. These explore the Natural History of the Arboretum in a wide range of selected categories. Access to these galleries is achievable via the menu.
Chrysolina americana(8mm)
Rosemary Leaf Beetle
Rosemary Leaf Beetle
Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda'
Pararge aegeria♀ (c.22mm)
Speckled Wood (Summer)
Speckled Wood (Summer)
Spring colour
with Quercus durifolia
with Quercus durifolia
Prunus serrula x serrulata
Carduelis carduelis♀
An Adult Goldfinch
An Adult Goldfinch
Brefeldia maxima
Tapioca Slime Mould
Tapioca Slime Mould
Sussex Oak
Postia ptychogaster
Powderpuff Bracket
Powderpuff Bracket
Wollemia nobilis
Sinojackia xylocarpa
Schima wallichii
Unidentified Fittleworth Resident
Eucalyptus pauciflora
subsp. niphophila
subsp. niphophila
Cornus mas
Autumn leaves (Acer saccharinum)
Sympetrum striolatum♂
Common Darter
Common Darter
Sympetrum striolatum♀
Common Darter
Common Darter
Lycogala terrestre
A slime mould
A slime mould
Rhodoleia championii
Tetradium glabrifolium
Rhododendron
Rhagonycha fulva
Bos taurus
Difficult plants like Stewartias flourish if given semi-shade and tender 'Greenhouse' plants cope as cold air flows down into the Rother valley.
To learn more about a tree you are standing beside please note the following:
If you have an iPhone open your camera and hold your phone over the QR tag on the tree. You will then be taken to the relevant tree page on the Wynkcoombe Arboretum website.
If you have an Android phone then download any free QR code reader app. Open the app and hold your phone in front of the QR tag on the tree. You will then be taken to the relevant tree page on the Wynkcoombe Arboretum website.
View Trees
View Trails
What a smashing, Boxing Day surprise - we are staying locally for Christmas and found the arboretum almost by accident on a map while debating where to explore. As we entered the woodland we were greeted by dozens of small song birds and even more redwings moving from treetop to treetop. Fortunately, we also encountered Mr Smith - the woodland’s mastermind - who gave us a little more background to the work involved.
What a fantastic project - the variety and informality of the layout are a real treat and, clearly, birds find it irresistible even in the depth of winter. I just hope Mr Smith will be able to continue his work for as long as possible and ensure that his hard toil will be well supported and maintained long into the future.
I mentioned this wonderful arboretum to a teacher friend of mine, and she brought her class to see it last autumn, and he’s coming back in the spring / /summer as the children enjoyed the informal day out and a creative way to use their phones on the QR coding, makes a change !!
Most of the local schools should have this place on their must go to list……..
What a lovely surprise location this is..!!
I’ve MS related mobility issues, but they’re overcome by my curiosity in this place and I wandered about far more than was good for me..
Which, ironically, did me a lot of good..👍
I’ll be back very soon..