About the Arboretum

The Beale Arboretum is situated at West Lodge Park Hotel in North London.

The Beale Arboretum, an integral part of West Lodge Park, traces its origins back to 1963 when Edward Beale, with the help of Frank Knight, Director of RHS Wisley, and Derek Honour, Trees Consultant for the GLC, embarked on a journey. Over the past six decades, the Beale family, spanning three generations, has passionately nurtured and expanded this stunning area.

Today, the Beale Arboretum stands as a testament to their dedication, housing the Plant Heritage National collections of Hornbeams (Carpinus betulus cv), Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum), and Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa). With more than 60 years of meticulous curation, the collection has grown to include 15 UK and regional champions as recognised by the Tree Register. In total, the arboretum boasts over 800 species of trees from around the world, with a remarkable total of over 4,500 trees.

Nestled within 35 acres surrounding the hotel, this landscape forms a vital part of the Enfield Chase. It offers a respite from the bustling city, providing a sanctuary of open spaces and captivating views, all within the M25.

Downloads
Arboretum Guide
The tree register
WLP Traduction
WLP ground maps
arboretum species plan
WLP tree data

The arboretum, in addition to its three National collections of Hornbeams, Swamp Cypresses and Indian Bear Trees, showcases an extensive variety of tree species, such as Pinus, Picea, Abies, Cedrus, Quercus, Nyssa, Corylus, Juglans, Sorbus, Cornus, Cretaegus, Fraxinus, Magnolia, Gleditsia, Robinia, Acer, Sequoia, Liquidambar, Tilia, Arbutus, Araucaria, Cupressus, Davidia, Eucalyptus, Ginkgo, Malus, Paulownia, Populus, and Taxus.

The Beale Arboretum proudly hosts Tree Register Champion trees, including international champions Fraxinus excelsior ‘Westhof’s Glory’, Paulownia tomentosa ‘Fast Blue’, and X Cuprocyparis leylandii ‘Castlewellan Gold’ (Tree Register number 335).

Every year, the arboretum sees addition of over 50 specimen trees. This continual growth ensures the arboretum remains a living collection.

Recognised for its beauty and botanical significance, the arboretum has garnered attention from prestigious publications like The Times, The Sunday Express, Country Life, Gardener’s World, The New York Times, The Radio Times, and The Royal Horticultural Society Journal.
To fully appreciate the splendour of the Beale Arboretum, we recommend planning your visit during the vibrant spring (May and early June) or the autumn (October) when the colours and foliage are at their most captivating.

Andrew Beale (Managing Director) heads a dedicated team behind the Beale Arboretum, led by experts including Mark Lane (CVO retired head gardener to Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace), Paul Baynes (Head Gardener), works tirelessly to ensure the continued growth and preservation of the arboretum.

Visiting the Arboretum.

The Arboretum is open to the public every day, descriptive leaflets are available from reception. Guided tours are available on selected days. Click here for more information.

Admission £3.50, children are free, payable at reception.

Admission is FREE if you have a drink or meal in the bar, lounge or restaurant at the hotel, or if you are a resident in the hotel or attending a function or conference.

Conducted tours for private parties

Private conducted tours of the arboretum for groups (minimum 10 persons, no maximum) can be arranged if booked in advance, normally on weekdays.

The walk round the trees usually takes one and a half hours and is normally hosted by the Managing Director Andrew Beale.

To find out more, or to book a private group tour, please contact Jane Gray on 020 8216 3904 –janegray@bealeshotels.co.uk