Free entry to RHS Gardens has ended

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The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) are no longer offering Westonbirt members free entry to any of their gardens after July 2017 using their Friends membership card.

Please read on to check when your membership will no longer be valid to visit any of the RHS sites for free.

• All members had free access to any RHS gardens up to 31^st December 2016.

• If your membership was renewed or began between the 1^st of January and 31^st of July 2016 you will still be able to gain free entry until the expiry date on your current card up to 31^st of July 2017.

• If you are a life or 10 year Friend you will also still be able to visit up to the 31^st of July 2017.

As of 1^st of January 2017, RHS members no longer gain free access to Westonbirt Arboretum.

The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum and the Forestry Commission were not consulted by the RHS before they made their decision and we realise that some Friends will be disappointed by this outcome. However, we hope you still feel that being a member of Westonbirt is good value and understand how much your support benefits the arboretum.

In 2016 alone we were able to open the STIHL Treetop Walkway and the Wolfson Tree Management Centre and of course the work on our fantastic collection of trees and shrubs continues. This fantastic work would not have been possible without the support from you, our members.

There are still a whole host of other benefits to Friends of Westonbirt members, including free admission to:

• Batsford Arboretum
• Bedgebury National Pinetum
• Birmingham Botanicals & Glasshouses
• The Yorkshire Arboretum
• National Botanic Gardens of Wales
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
• Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
• Royal Botanic Gardens Wakehurst Place

Of course your membership gives you free entry to Westonbirt every day (except Christmas day) and free entry for your children aged 18 and under. Plus free Westonbirt magazines, priority booking for Forest Live concerts, and priority booking and Friday discounts for Enchanted Christmas, which all help to ensure that your membership really is great value.

Best Wishes,

Catherine Hewer

Supporter Engagement Manager