Businesses thrive in the nation's forests
Forestry England have a diverse range of recreation businesses operating in the nation's forests. From cafes to ice cream and burger mobile catering, gift shops to bike hire and Segways. Team building activities, external training courses and paintballing to seasonal business such as Christmas tree sales. The variety and quality of the businesses we work with help to make the nation's forests special places to visit.
Explore current opportunities below or get in touch to propose something new.
Current Opportunities:
Seasonal Observation Wheel Operator
Forestry England is seeking early market engagement from suitably experienced observation wheel operators regarding a potential seasonal concession opportunity at Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, one of the South East's premier outdoor visitor destinations.
Our aim is to explore the feasibility of introducing a temporary observation wheel during the Easter visitor peak period, enhancing the visitor experience while supporting engagement with the wider site. We invite operators to provide feedback on operational requirements, commercial arrangements, site suitability and delivery considerations.
This opportunity would initially be delivered as a seasonal trial within the 28-day permitted development allowance, with the potential to inform future opportunities should the trial prove successful.
About Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest
Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest is one of the South East's premier outdoor visitor destinations, welcoming over 500,000 visits annually. The site attracts a broad visitor audience including families, members, cyclists, runners, dog walkers and wellbeing users, and hosts a range of established commercial and recreational activities, including:
- A well-established café
- Go Ape high ropes adventure
- Bike hire provision
- Educational and learning activities
- Active Forests programmes, including running, cycling, yoga and wellbeing activities
- A year-round programme of events and seasonal experiences
Any temporary attraction must be sympathetic to the unique landscape setting of the National Pinetum and contribute positively to the overall visitor experience.
Proposed Operating Period
Initial Trial Indicative dates:
18 March 2027 - 17 April 2027
Possible future contract start date will be March 2028
These dates are subject to final confirmation but are intended to cover the main Easter holiday period, including Easter Monday, traditionally one of Bedgebury's busiest visitor days.
The expectation is that the selected operator would provide, install, operate and remove the attraction, however Forestry England welcomes proposals on the most effective operating model.
Expressions of interest are invited for commercial marketing partnerships
We are continually looking for commercial marketing partnerships and sponsorship that meet our marketing objectives.
We have a range of events that can be sponsored and we are happy to talk to companies and organisations about innovative ways to explain who we are and what we do and promote our sites to their customers.
Our objectives are:
- Inform people about our work
- Raise awareness of our sites, events, activities and membership
- Raise awareness of the importance of trees, woods and forests
We have recently worked with companies to promote our forest and activities via their websites and apps. We would be interested in hearing about other similar opportunities.
Expressions of interest in this work can be made at any time by contacting marketing@forestryengland.uk
