Autumn trees around Rowe's Flash lake at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Where to go · Surrey

Forest bathing at Winkworth Arboretum

An arboretum of more than 1,000 trees and shrubs around a lake and ancient woodland near Godalming, known for autumn colour.

Winkworth Arboretum, near Godalming, was created in the early 20th century by a local doctor, Wilfrid Fox, and has been cared for by the National Trust for more than 60 years. More than 1,000 different trees and shrubs grow here alongside ancient woodland, a lake and an old boathouse. Autumn is the peak season and the most popular time to visit.

Autumn weekends are busy; spring, with bluebells under the trees, is often calmer, and a weekday morning is calmer still. The quieter corners are away from the café and play area, down towards the lake and the older woodland. Without a car, take the bus or a taxi from Godalming, as the lanes have no pavements. The National Trust lists forest bathing among its events here.

Practical

Managed by
National Trust
Parking
Car park, pay for non-members; National Trust members free
Terrain
Arboretum and ancient woodland around a lake
Nearest station
Godalming, about 2 miles (no pavements on the roads, so take the bus or a taxi)
Facilities
Café, shop with plant sales, toilets including a Changing Places toilet, play area
Opening and entry
Admission charge (National Trust members free); check opening days before visiting
Official page
nationaltrust.org.uk

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

Three guides within 15 miles of Winkworth Arboretum

  • Joanna Bristow-Watkins

    Harmony in Nature CIC

    Shere, Surrey

    UnclaimedTrained by The Forest Bathing Institute

    Corporate and team daysPrivate and one-to-onePublic group sessions+2 more

    From £39.77 per person7 miles away

    View profile: Joanna Bristow-Watkins

  • Katie Robinson

    Harmony in Nature CIC

    Shere, Surrey

    UnclaimedTrained by The Forest Bathing Institute

    Corporate and team daysPrivate and one-to-onePublic group sessions+2 more

    From £39.77 per person7 miles away

    View profile: Katie Robinson

  • Lisa Duncan

    HINOKI Forest Bathing

    Abinger Hammer, Surrey

    UnclaimedTrained by The Forest Bathing Institute

    Corporate and team daysPrivate and one-to-onePublic group sessions+1 more

    From £35 per person8 miles away

    View profile: Lisa Duncan

More woodlands in Surrey

All venues in Surrey
Bookham Common, SurreyBookham CommonsOak woods and ponds next to Bookham station, with wide level pathsA woodland path on Box Hill, SurreyBox HillAncient box woodland on the North Downs above the River MoleView across the Devil's Punch Bowl at Hindhead, SurreyHindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch BowlA deep heath valley at Hindhead with ancient woodland in its folds

Photos: Bookham Commons, Peter Trimming (CC BY-SA 2.0); Box Hill, John P Reeves (CC BY-SA 2.0); Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl, Mark (CC BY 2.0).