Making improvements at Guisborough Forest

Guisborough Forest is already a much‑loved place to walk, cycle, relax, and explore but over the next year, it’s set to become even more welcoming thanks to a major programme of accessibility and wellbeing improvements.

These works are part of Inclusive Forests, a national project designed to remove barriers to those accessing the outdoors. Guisborough Forest has been selected as one of seven sites across England to benefit from these improvements, reflecting its huge potential to support local communities, improve wellbeing, and help more people enjoy the benefits of being active in nature.

What improvements are we making?

A series of upgrades will take place across the next 6 months to make entering, moving through, and enjoying the forest simpler, safer and more welcoming for visitors.

A more welcoming entrance to the forest

The current entrance gate will be replaced with a fully accessible chicane suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and adapted cycles.

A new accessible trail

Around 625 metres of trail has been upgraded and created to form a smooth, clearly marked accessible route. This links with the existing railway line path to form a longer 1.5 km loop perfect for gentle walks, wheeling or cycling. Follow the purple way markers from the Guisborough Forest & Walkway Visitor Centre to discover this new trail.

New activity area with shelter

The activity area has been levelled and will be improved with a new shelter for activities on those rainier days such as yoga, Tai Chi, community meetings, school groups and wellbeing activities. Meaning people can get out into the forest, no matter the weather.

Forest bathing area

Four leaning posts with mindful phrases invite you to pause, breathe and enjoy the surrounding environment.

Improved signage and wayfinding

New signage has been installed using accessible design principles, including clearer colour contrast, legible typefaces and improved mapping to help visitors navigate the wider forest with confidence.

New accessible friendly seating

Five purpose‑designed accessible benches have been added along the new access friendly trail, providing regular resting points for people with reduced mobility.

Improved facilities for activity providers

A 32ft container will be installed to give our Active Forest Coordinator and community groups a secure base for equipment and session delivery.

Supporting future plans

Forestry England continue to work closely with Redcar & Cleveland Council on longer‑term improvements including upgraded parking and links to the upcoming active travel route connecting Guisborough to Middlesbrough.

How these changes will make a difference

By improving surfacing, signage, accessibility and shelter, we aim to make Guisborough Forest a place where:

• More people feel confident visiting the forest for the first time and can come back time and time again
• Community groups and schools have reliable and weatherproof spaces to use for learning and wellbeing
• People with disabilities or reduced mobility can enjoy more of the forest
• Women and ethnically diverse communities feel welcome and represented
• Local communities adopt active, healthy lifestyles by incorporating nature into their everyday life

When will the work start?

Many of the works have already taken place with the remainder of the work expected to be complete by Spring 2027.