This summer, visitors to Winkworth Arboretum will be welcomed through a brand-new entrance building at the National Trust’s only arboretum.
Open to the public from Monday 15th June, the new centre features Surrey’s newest café, a welcoming visitor reception, National Trust shop, and modern toilet facilities, including a Changing Places facility, addressing long-standing needs identified through public consultation.
The café offers seasonal food alongside a spacious indoor seating area and an inviting outdoor terrace. A newly relocated pay and display car park, complete with electric vehicle charging points, will help ease congestion, improve access and support more sustainable travel.
Designed by IPT Architects, the building draws inspiration from Winkworth’s iconic wooden boathouse and founder Dr Wilfrid Fox’s philosophy of “painting with trees”. Clad in larch that will naturally weather into the surrounding woodland, the structure frames sweeping views of the landscape through expansive picture windows.
Rhona MacCallum, National Trust General Manager, said: “Seeing the building open is a hugely rewarding moment for our team. We’re proud to now offer facilities that feel worthy of the beauty of our arboretum. We hope visitors feel the spirit of Winkworth reflected in this space—welcoming, thoughtful and rooted in the landscape. Every visit, whether enjoying the café or shopping with us, directly supports the care of Winkworth Arboretum.”
Winkworth Arboretum was created by Dr Wilfrid Fox in 1937 as a landscape designed for seasonal colour. Today, it remains one of the National Trust’s most distinctive sites, celebrated for its dramatic autumn displays and vibrant spring blooms.
- Visitor welcome centre, café, shop and facilities are located outside the admission area, so you don’t need to pay to visit – only parking charges apply. Open from 9.30am – 5pm. Parking is free until Monday 22nd June.
- National Trust members park for free.
- Non-members parking is £1.50 for one hour, £2.50 for 2-3 hours and £5 for all day.
- National Trust members and paying visitors can also validate their parking using the JustPark app. Free Wi-Fi is available in the welcome centre to download and use the app.
- Usual admission to enter the arboretum, free for National Trust members. Arboretum opens at 10am.
- Winkworth is three-pawprint rated place where dogs are welcome on short leads in the café, shop and throughout the Arboretum. You’ll find dog waste bins in the car park and footpath on the arboretum-side of the visitor centre. Water bowls are in the outside café terrace area. Judes dog ice cream and a variety of dog treats are also for sale from the café and shop.
Summer at Winkworth Arboretum
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail
Until Sun 6th September
Families can get active outdoors with our Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. Team up to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges. Included with normal admission (free for National Trust members).
Summer of Play
Wed 22nd July–Sun 6th September
A dedicated play field will be programmed with experiences and activities designed to spark imagination and inspire adventure. Included with normal admission (free for National Trust members).
Weekly Wild Crafts
Every Tuesday and Thursday, 23rd July–27th August
A series of hands-on craft sessions at Winkworth’s Wild Craft Gazebo, where children can create friendship bracelets, felt puppets, seed pizzas for birds and more. £3 per craft.
