And the winner is… Westonbirt Arboretum!

The So Glos Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards 2025 took place in Cheltenham on 8 May, an award ceremony that celebrates Gloucestershire's exceptional cultural venues, restaurants, pubs, independent schools, sporting venues, independent shops, events and more.

This year, over 220 businesses were shortlisted and more than 28,000 people voted during the awards campaign. Last Thursday’s award ceremony crowned Forestry England’s Westonbirt, The National Arboretum the overall ‘winners’ winner’ with the ‘2025 Lifestyle Business of the Year’ award.

Image: (L-R) Fiona Phelps (Fundraising Manager, Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum), Helen Chick (Forestry England, Press & Marketing Officer, Westonbirt), Ellen Whitby (Forestry England, Learning Officer, Westonbirt) and Sarah Bryars (Trustee, The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum)

Westonbirt Arboretum also won ‘Cultural Venue of the Year’ award and was a finalist in categories for ‘Family Day Out of the Year’ and ‘Event of the Year’ for Christmas at Westonbirt 2024 light trail event. The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum charity was also recognised on the night as a finalist for ‘Charity of the Year.’ 

Commenting on the awards evening, Helen Chick, Press & Marketing Officer for Westonbirt said: "We're delighted to have been recognised with these awards and congratulate all the other local businesses that were winners and finalists on the night. Our awards make us feel extremely proud for Westonbirt, on behalf of Forestry England, the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum charity, all our staff our volunteers and those who voted for us and who clearly feel a connection with the arboretum. Together, we make Westonbirt what it is.”