Arboretum

In the Westonbirt Arboretum, Glenn Howells Architects designed the longest treetop walkway in the UK, elevated 13 meters above the ground, in one of England’s Heritage sites.

INQUADRA: DeFAVERI's seamless energy efficiency

INQUADRA is DeFAVERI's flush-mounted monoblock that cancels thermal bridges for maximum energy efficiency and a minimalist design. Easy to install and customize, it marks one of the innovations from a long-established company, now part of the ECLISSE Group.

Sponsored content

The longest treetop walkway in the UK has opened to the public in the National Arboretum at Westonbirt, designed by Glenn Howells Architects with engineers Buro Happold. The STIHL Treetop Walkway starts and finishes on ground level using the topography of the land, rising 13 meters as it follows the valley floor. It seamlessly integrates itself into its environment thanks to a sensitive approach to design and selection of materials.

Glenn Howells Architects, STIHL Treetop Walkway, Westonbirt Arboretum

The sinuous elevated 300 meter route meanders through the arboretum, offering the chance to get up close with trees and the canopy, as well as glorious views across the historic downs landscape. At four key points, the walkway ‘bulges’ out to form hotspots where visitors can engage with their natural surroundings, and rises up over the walkway, wrapping around a 36 meter tall black pine tree, and offering the chance for people to stop and take in the views.

The world-renowned Westonbirt Arboretum was laid out by three generations of the Holford family from the early 1800s, and has been recognised by English Heritage as a Grade I registered landscape and garden of special historic interest. Since 1956 Westonbirt Arboretum has been developed and maintained by the Forestry Commission, covering 240 hectares, 3,000 taxa (species/distinct varieties), over 15,000 specimens, including 120 UK champion trees, 73 red data species and a number of national collections.

01 / 02

Glenn Howells Architects, STIHL Treetop Walkway, Westonbirt Arboretum

Glenn Howells Architects, STIHL Treetop Walkway, Westonbirt Arboretum

STIHL Treetop Walkway, Westonbirt, UK
Program: treetop walkway
Architects: Glenn Howells Architects
Client: Westonbirt Arboretum
Lenght: 300 mt
Completion: 2016

Stone: Origins and Future in Architecture

On June 12 and 13, 2025, IUAV University of Venice will host "Stone is…," an international forum entirely dedicated to natural stone. Organized by PNA, this event aims to thoroughly explore the material's enduring value and sustainability, featuring insights from internationally renowned speakers.

Sponsored content

Arboretum

In the Westonbirt Arboretum, Glenn Howells Architects designed the longest treetop walkway in the UK, elevated 13 meters above the ground, in one of England’s Heritage sites.

INQUADRA: DeFAVERI's seamless energy efficiency

Stone: Origins and Future in Architecture

Latest on News

The highest 3D printed tower in the world rises in the Swiss Alps

The world's largest archaeological museum will open this year: opening date revealed

Vitra and Rimowa have designed a trolley that is also a stool

Overtourism: are we traveling just to recreate Instagram photos?

Latest on Domus