Lewes Tree Festival 2026 – Celebrating our Arboretum Town!

Saturday 13- Sunday 21 June, venues and locations across Lewes, FREE

This June, the Lewes Urban Arboretum team will be inviting residents and visitors to celebrate the wonderful trees throughout Lewes that have made it one of only two towns in the country to have ‘Arboretum Town’ status.

The Tree Festival begins on Saturday 13 June, with a drop-in launch event from 11am to 3pm at Lewes Climate Hub (Lewes House, 32 High Street). Here you can visit the tree exhibition and chat with members of the Friends of Lewes Trees Committee to find out what makes Lewes one of only two Arboretum Towns in the country.

Members of other teams from Friends of Lewes will be there to explain how they also help to keep our town special.

All trees are important, and the launch day will include information about a new project to celebrate and protect the trees that are special to the people of Lewes! Come along and find out how you can take part. During your visit, pick up a tree trail leaflet that will lead you on a gentle circular walk around some of the remarkable trees in the town. The leaflets for Lewes Tree Festival 2026 are sponsored through a generous grant from the Rotary Club of Lewes.

During the launch day you can also have a go at making wonderful woodcraft flowers with Rustic Tim! (£2 charge).

Festival Guided Walks

Throughout the Tree Festival week, you can join the Lewes Urban Arboretum Team for guided walks around significant trees growing in some of the special green spaces In Lewes. All of the walks are free, but places are limited, so you need to book a place via Eventbrite for most of them. See the Friends of Lewes website for more details: https://friends-of-lewes.org.uk/2026/03/20/lewes-tree-festival-2026

Sunday 14 June, 2.30pm-4pm and Sunday 21 June, 2.30pm-4pm – Southover Grange
Two opportunities to enjoy a guided walk around Southover Grange gardens with local arboriculturalists. Meet by the cafe hatch. Bookings via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lewes-tree-festival-guided-walk-around-southover-grange-tickets-1985586724343?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tuesday 16 June, 11am-1pm – Railway Land
You are invited to explore the trees and other natural delights on the Railway Land Nature Reserve. There is no need to book, just meet up outside the Linklater Pavilion on Railway Lane.

Saturday 20 June, 2.30pm-4pm – Malling Deanery
Learn more about the unusual trees in the magical setting of Malling Deanery Arboretum, thanks to the owners kindly giving their permission. Meet outside Trinity South Malling Church. Bookings via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/malling-deanery-arboretum-a-guided-walk-as-part-of-lewes-tree-festival-tickets-1985590147582?aff=oddtdtcreator