Blackwater Arboretum

20 August 2025 - New Forest National Park, United Kingdom

Blackwater Arboretum has a nickname of Tall Trees Arboretum, and as I wondered around today it is easy to see why. I was absolutely dwarfed by the trees. While I was here, I did two looped walks.

The first was a walk moving away from the arboretum itself and down towards Fletchers Water before looping back around. The Fletchers Water riverbed was dry when I crossed it meaning I could have walked back along it, but instead I followed the path back around

Fletchers Water Loop

A footpath stretching into the distance with trees on either side — Some of the footpaths are very straight which provides these interesting views down them.

A look into a forest — When you look off the path all you can see is trees.

A large tree silhouetted against a grey sky — There are some clearings where you can see the trees from a bit further away - a nice break from the forest!

Tall Trees Trail Loop

The second loop I did was a trail created by Forestry England called the Tall trees trail. This took me into the Arboretum itself. The Douglas fir trees and Wellingtonia coast redwoods were planted during the reign of Queen Victoria. The latter particularly is what gives the trail its name as they are the biggest trees in the New Forest.

A curved footpath with trees all around it — The path meanders through the woods.

A tree surrounded by sticks forming a den in a forest — There were lots of dens that have been made by children as you wonder around it.