Tortworth can be explored through different themes: the woodland landscape and walks in the arboretum, as well as architectural history and sacred art around St Leonard’s Church. This lets you choose the focus of your stay according to your interests.

Woodland, Audio Walk and Redwood Project

The Dell, a 20-acre woodland in the centre of Tortworth Arboretum, is a clearly defined area within the tree landscape. It is home to many remarkable and champion trees listed in the Tree Register of the British Isles (TROBI). The combination of a named woodland and registered trees makes The Dell a distinct tree-themed area within the arboretum.

“The World in the Woodland: Museum of the Future” is an immersive audio walk by artist Morgan Tipping that accompanies a peaceful walk through Tortworth Arboretum. Check the audio walk’s availability before your trip. The Redwood Project, formerly called “Woodland Management Volunteer Days”, is open to people of all genders. The activities have different emphases: the audio walk accompanies walking and listening, while the Redwood Project is focused on community participation.

St Leonard’s Church and Tortworth’s Architectural History

St Leonard’s Church is an Anglican parish church. Reassembled medieval fragments can be found in the east window of the north chapel. The church has two First World War memorial plaques and an old, simple wooden battlefield cross. The Tortworth Chestnut, a renowned veteran tree, also stands in a garden near the church. The “Churchyard Cross,7 Yards North Of Porch Of St Leonard’s Church” is listed as a Grade II* listed building.

The dates span different eras: St Leonard’s dates from the 12th century, the window fragments are dated to around 1472, and in 1848 the second Earl of Ducie commissioned Samuel Sanders Teulon to design a new Tortworth Court. This comparison ranges from the medieval church building and its later-dated fragments to a 19th-century architectural commission.

Walking and Taking the Bus to Tortworth Arboretum

From Tortworth Primary School, you can reach Tortworth Arboretum on foot in about five minutes via Tortworth Road. Check the route conditions before your visit; the time is approximate. Bus route 60 runs on the B4509 near the arboretum. Check the latest timetable details before travelling.

Tortworth Lake: Check Access in Advance

Tortworth Lake is private and has no public access rights. As of 1 June 2025, the site was accessible to the public. If you are planning to visit the lake, check access for your date in advance.

Discover More Destinations

Winterbourne, Chipping Sodbury, Bitton, Hawkesbury, Chippenham, Acton Turville, Doynton, Brockworth

For the main travel guide: South Gloucestershire.