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Bedgebury National Pinetum

Bedgebury, Kent, South East, GB

Official websiteOpen map
Managed By

Forestry England

Access Status

public

Last Reviewed

28 March 2026

What This Page Proves

RedwoodFinder uses this page to show that redwoods are documented at this location, alongside the current confidence level and the best available map precision. It is the public-facing output of the project's AI-native evidence and linking workflow.

How To Read The Badges

This record currently has strong accepted evidence behind it and is treated as a well-supported public entry. The mapped point is intended to represent the documented location itself, not just the wider estate or park.

About

The National Conifer Collection, established in 1925 as a joint venture between Kew Gardens and the Forestry Commission, managed by Forestry England at Bedgebury in Kent. Over 10,000 specimens across 320 acres in the High Weald AONB, recognised as the most complete conifer collection on one site in the world. Contains coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). Holds 56 vulnerable or critically endangered species and six National Plant Collections.

History

The pinetum originated from conifer plantings in the 1850s by Viscount William Beresford. Kew Gardens and the Forestry Commission established the site as The National Pinetum in 1924 because London air pollution was unsuitable for growing conifers. First plants raised at Kew in 1921, transferred to Bedgebury in 1925-26. Managed by Kew botanist William Dallimore. The Great Storm of 1987 destroyed almost a quarter of the trees. Extended in 1977 with two new lakes.

Access

Open all year. Managed by Forestry England. Visitor centre with cafe overlooking the pinetum. Miles of trails for walking, cycling, and running. Go Ape tree top adventure on site. Located in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Tree Species