Few people have witnessed the evolution of Batsford Arboretum quite like Stuart Priest.
Joining the Cotswolds attraction in 1986, he has spent the last 40 years helping transform it from a largely seasonal destination into one of Gloucestershire's most celebrated year-round visitor attractions.
Along the way, he has overseen major developments, championed conservation projects and helped grow an internationally important collection of trees and plants.
As he marks four decades at Batsford, Stuart reflects on the remarkable stories rooted within the arboretum, the challenges of a changing climate and why he believes the future is more exciting than ever.
What first brought you to Batsford Arboretum?
I was working at a nursery in Kidderminster and absolutely loved my job. Then I visited Batsford one weekend and completely fell in love with the place.
A week later, I opened Horticulture Week magazine and there was an advert for a role establishing a nursery in Batsford's walled garden. I came for an interview, was offered the job and never looked back.
Back then it was quite ramshackle and there was a huge amount to do, but when you're young you think you can take on the world. We built it up over the years – the first 20 years were the hardest – and the role just grew alongside the organisation.
Looking back over 40 years, what has changed most at Batsford?
Without doubt, becoming a true year-round destination.
When I first arrived, the arboretum opened at Easter and closed again at the beginning of November. People came for the spring blossom and the autumn colour, but there wasn't much reason to visit outside those seasons.
We realised there was already plenty happening in winter and early spring, so we started planting for the future. Over the years we've added thousands of snowdrops and daffodils, along with early and late-flowering cherries, magnolias and crab apples. Today, visitors can enjoy carpets of snowdrops through winter followed by months of daffodils, blossom and spring colour.
In fact, we now have daffodils flowering from December through to the end of May. Spring has become even bigger than autumn, which is incredible when you consider how famous Batsford is for its autumn displays.
We've also developed wildflower meadows and introduced more summer-flowering plants, creating a landscape that offers something different throughout the year.
Are there any hidden gems visitors should look out for?
There are a far too many to choose from! But one of the most remarkable stories is our collection of ginkgo trees grown from seeds collected from a tree that survived the atomic bomb in Hiroshima.
The original tree stood close to the epicentre and somehow survived. Through the Green Legacy Hiroshima project, the seeds were sent to Batsford and are successfully growing here – which visitors can learn more about.
We also have a young horse chestnut tree descended from Anne Frank's famous tree in Amsterdam – the only tree she could see from the attic where she hid during World War II. I think those trees remind us that plants aren't just beautiful. They carry stories, history and memories across generations.
What else should Batsford visitors look out for?
One of the things I always tell people is to slow down and simply enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the place. People come here to switch off, reconnect with nature and take a break from busy everyday life. Some of our members visit several times a week because every visit feels different and there's always something new to discover.
Beyond the trees and seasonal displays, there's also an incredible amount of wildlife to spot. We regularly see species including spotted flycatchers, redstarts, redpolls, greenfinches and large flocks of goldfinches throughout the arboretum.
A few years ago we created a wildlife lake which has become a thriving habitat. We've even captured otters visiting the lake on our night cameras. On a warm summer's day there's nowhere nicer than walking beneath the shade of the trees, while in winter you can enjoy carpets of snowdrops and early flowering plants. Every season brings something different.
And, before heading home, I'd always encourage visitors to spend time in the plant centre too. From David Austin roses and olive trees to hardy perennials and seasonal favourites, it's a chance to take a little piece of Batsford home with you.
How is Batsford preparing for the future?
One of the biggest challenges we're facing is climate change. There are plants and trees that thrived 40 years ago, which are finding conditions more difficult now, while other species that once seemed completely unsuitable for the Cotswolds are beginning to flourish.
We're already growing olives successfully and we've recently planted a pomegranate tree. Years ago, that would have been impossible, but conditions are changing.
The challenge is making sure we continue protecting this internationally important collection while adapting to what the future brings. What gives me immense hope is seeing younger generations becoming more interested in nature. We see families exploring the arboretum, children taking part in trails and activities and increasing interest in wildlife and birdwatching from those in their 20s and 30s.
People are so much more aware of conservation and environmental issues than they were 40 years ago. That's important because places like Batsford aren't just about preserving plants, they're about helping people understand why nature matters.
What continues to inspire you after 40 years?
It honestly feels like we're only just getting started! What I'm most proud of is the team. We have people who have been with Batsford for more than 20 and even 30 years. That continuity has helped create an enormous amount of knowledge and expertise and it's one of the reasons the organisation is so strong today.
We're in a fantastic position where we can invest in the future, support conservation and education projects and continue improving the visitor experience. I'd love to see ambitious projects happen in the future and there are always ideas we'd like to explore. My dream would be to build a Japanese-style pagoda overlooking Seven Leys. If visitors could reach the top and look out across the whole arboretum and the surrounding countryside, it would be one hell of a folly!
But ultimately, our responsibility is to maintain and strengthen this incredible collection for future generations.
After 40 years, do you still enjoy coming to work?
Every day. I often say I'm the luckiest man in the world.
I live on site with my wife and every time I drive up through the grounds I still feel incredibly fortunate to be here. Forty years have gone by in the blink of an eye!
