Entry to the Arboretum is free and it is open 365 days a year.
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
We lived in Knoll House for about 6 years and our back gate opened into those wonderful woods. I miss it so much. My little grandson (3yrs old then) posed next to one of the Wollimei trees . He’s 12 now and still remembers the trees, so much so he gave one to his Grandpa inStaffordshire and it’s started to grow well.
We stumbled across the arboretum today, having lived in the area for 6 years. A short walk with the dog turned into a 2-hour wander through the most amazing trees. The QR codes opened up a fabulous wealth of information and we especially enjoyed the anecdotes about individual specimens. Now we’ve discovered this gem, we’ll be visiting regularly, with the aim of undertaking all the trails. Thank you for making this such a wonderful public space.
the best website