Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent TN17 2SJ. Paid entry
Details
Accessibility
https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury
2025: "Hire a Tramper
An all-terrain mobility scooter is available to hire. It's best to pre-book, which you can do by calling us on 01580 879820.
Dogs at BedgeburyWe welcome well-behaved dogs inside the atrium and visitor centre. The cafe seating will remain dog-free. Find out more with our frequently asked questions.
If you're visiting with a dog, please follow the dog code
Visit our access information page from the link https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury/access-information
Essentials:
Toilets:
We have two accessible toilets at Bedgebury Pinetum - one standard and one Changing Places facility. They are situated in the visitor centre. The standard accessible toilet has a manual door which is 100cm wide and you do not need a key to access it.
Additionally there are toilet blocks for both men and women. Baby changing is available in the accessible toilet.
Changing Places
There is a Changing Place facility on site, situated in the visitor centre. It has a manual door which is 100cm wide. A Radar Key is needed for access. You can borrow one from the information point if necessary.
Needing help
Our friendly staff area available at the information point near the car park. Some members of staff have received disability and dementia awareness training.
We have 10 accessible parking bays at Bedgebury Pinetum They are situated closest to the visitor centre entrance.
Parking is not free. Payment can be made on machines in the car park or at the information point. Payment via mobile app is not available. A 'help' button is located on the payment machines.
The visitor centre
The distance between the visitor centre and the accessible parking bays is 180m on a sloped path. There is level access into the visitor centre.
There is one automatic sliding door accessed from a ramp and three additional manual doors that open outwards.
Inside the visitor centre you'll find seating and a cafe, where music is played. An induction loop is located in the information office."
Brief description
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedgebury_National_Pinetum
2025: "Bedgebury National Pinetum at Bedgebury, Kent, in the United Kingdom, is a recreational and conservational arboretum managed by Forestry England that was established as the National Conifer Collection in 1925 and is now recognised as the most complete collection of conifers on one site anywhere in the world. The collection has over 10,000 trees growing across 320 acres (1.3 km2), including rare, endangered and historically important specimens. Bedgebury National Pinetum conducts conservation work, is home to some 56 vulnerable or critically endangered species, and houses five National Plant Collections.
The aim of Bedgebury National Pinetum is "to grow as many species of conifers as the climatic conditions will allow, planted in generic groupings, using geographically associated plantings where possible." (W. Dallimore, 1923)[5]
The pinetum holds 10,000 specimens of conifers and other species that grow in temperate zones, including 7,000 trees, as living gene banks and as a genetic resource for future restoration programmes. It holds 2,300 different species of conifer, specimens of which include the tallest tree in Kent (Abies grandis) and the three tallest Leyland Cypresses in the UK. The plan is for the pinetum to provide a mix of 70% conifers to 30% broadleaves, and to leave 40% of the site open to provide vistas and allow the trees to be appreciated.[5][6]
Bedgebury National Pinetum is home to six National Plant Collections accredited with the Plant Heritage charity: Yew, Juniper, Thuja, Lawson's Cypress, Leyland Cypress and Cryptomeria japonica.[7]
The collection contains 56 species that have been officially declared vulnerable or critically endangered.[5]
The scale and quality of Bedgebury National Pinetum's conifer collection have made it an ideal site to take part in the International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP), run by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The ICCP aims to promote the conservation of conifers through conservation work, research and education, and work carried out at Bedgebury makes up part of the effort to conserve the genetic diversity of conifers, particularly those from temperate forests.[5]
The Bedgebury Conifer Conservation Project, initiated in 2007, is designed to use redundant forest plots to grow large numbers – up to 500 – of endangered conifers to provide an ex-situ genetic resource. The first plots were planted with Chilean plum yew by Boy Scouts celebrating their centenary in 2007, and future plantings will include samples from Europe, Asia, North America and Australasia.[6]
Bedgebury nursery was the first to germinate Vietnamese golden cypress (Xanthocyparis vietnamensis) and chichibu birch (Betula chichibuensis) seeds in cultivation.[8]"
Address
Bedgebury Car Park
Goudhurst
Cranbrook
TN17 2SJ
Phone
Website
https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury and https://bedgeburypinetum.org.uk/
Directions
Opening Times
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change
December 2025: https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury
"Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is open daily from 8am, except Christmas Day.
Seasonal changes to closing time:
From 21 November to 31 December, the site will close daily at 3pm for Christmas at Bedgebury.
27 October 2025 to 27 February 2026 5pm
https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury/christmas
Events at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest - Time slots vary by date
"Step into a winter wonderland like no other as Christmas at Bedgebury returns for 2025
Immerse yourself in a new, reimagined trail at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, created by the award-winning light trail producers behind events such as Christmas at Kew and Christmas at Blenheim.
Our world-leading collection of conifers will be illuminated by millions of sparkling festive lights and alive with sounds of festive cheer, so that you can feel the magic of Christmas as you wander through this stunning setting with your friends and family.
Marvel at new awe-inspiring installations such as the delicately enchanting ‘Light as a Feather’, the warming glow of ‘Floating Candles’, and the harmonious ‘Choir of Trees.’
Keep your eyes peeled for Father Christmas, as you can spot him on the trail! Bring the whole family — dogs are welcome too, so your furry friends can join in the festive fun!
Limited capacity with timed entry. Plan now to secure the date and time of your choice.
Celebrate 100 years of Bedgebury National Pinetum
This year is an extra-special Christmas at Bedgebury as the National Pinetum celebrates its 100th birthday. Join us on the trail to walk among the world’s largest conifer collection and celebrate Bedgebury’s role in creating resilient forests to address challenges such as climate change.
Buying tickets from Forestry England helps to grow and protect our nation’s forests for generations to come.
A festive feast awaits
As you stroll under the stars you can warm up with indulgent festive treats from hand-picked food and beverage stalls. Sip on a spiced winter warmer, enjoy a rich hot chocolate, or toast a marshmallow over an open fire.*
*separate charges apply"
"The next Christmas at Bedgebury illuminated trail is due to run as scheduled.
Please dress appropriately for the winter weather, wear suitable footwear and bring a torch. Take a look at our frequently asked questions for more information to help plan your visit.
Any decision to close the trail for the day will be taken by 2pm each day and updated on this page.
If you have a ticket query or cannot find the answer to your questions in our FAQs, please email: customerrelations@forestryengland.uk "
Transport
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Amenities
https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury
Accessible benches
Accessible toilet
All-terrain mobility scooter hire
Assistance dogs welcome
Baby changing facilities
Cafe https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury/cafe
Changing places
Dogs allowed
Information point
Picnic area
Play Area
Shop
Shower
Toilets
Visitor Centre
Wifi available
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Location
Nearest Venues
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.