Membership questions you may have
These FAQs are designed to answer questions regarding our Forestry England membership scheme only. If you have questions specifically about the new national membership option, please find a separate FAQs page here.
Becoming a Forestry England member
- What is membership and what options do I have?
- How do I become a member and can I visit the forest straight away?
- What is included in the membership pack?
- I am buying online and I cannot see where I enter my car registration details?
- Can I use my membership for any type of vehicle?
Membership as a gift
- I would like to buy a membership as a gift, how do I do this?
- How do I redeem my Forestry England membership gift voucher?
- I have been bought a membership gift voucher, but don’t want my membership to start straight away, what can I do?
Renewals
Parking disc (applies to Pay & Display and Pay-by-phone sites only)
- I want to regularly move my parking disc between my two cars, what can I do?
- The membership allows me to register two cars, so can we have a second disc?
- Can I display my membership card, a photocopy of my disc, or my confirmation email in my window instead?
- My membership parking disc or membership card is completely damaged, can it be replaced?
Membership at forests using number plate recognition (ANPR)
- Which forests use number plate recognition (ANPR) instead of parking disc?
- How does ANPR work for members?
- I have not been able to update my details before my visit. What should I do?
Changing details on the membership
- How do I change details of my registered cars?
- Can I change the details of car registrations on my temporary membership document?
- How do I change my address / phone number / email address?
- Why am I not receiving membership newsletters or how do I stop these?
Car park enforcement notices
- I'm a member, but I've received a parking charge notice (PCN) during or after parking at the forest?
- Why are you issuing parking charge notices (PCNs) or administration fees?
Lost and stolen
Payments
Something not covered? Get in touch and we'll do our best to help
Please email us at membership@forestryengland.uk or call us on 0300 068 0400 to leave a message.
What is membership and what options do I have?
We have various membership options to choose from. We now have a Forestry England national membership and also have local options where you can join one of our forests, supporting and enjoying free car parking at that specific forest throughout the membership year.
How do I become a member and can I visit the forest straight away?
You can join our membership scheme either online or by phoning 0300 068 0400. You can also buy membership in person at some of our Forest Centres. If joining on-line or by phone, you will be sent a temporary membership document by email, and you can enjoy visiting the forest straight away. Your temporary membership will be valid for six weeks, in which time, your full membership pack will have arrived by post. Your temporary membership is only valid on the vehicles you have registered, as displayed on the document. If you have joined in-person at one of our Forest Centres (where applicable), you will also be given a temporary membership document to use straight away, and your full membership pack will follow by post within six weeks.
- The majority of our chargeable locations now use Automatic Number-plate Recognition (ANPR). This means we recognise our members by what vehicle details are provided. Make sure you provide accurate vehicle details when joining and keep these updated throughout your membership.
- The following locations use exit barriers: Alice Holt Forest, Bedgebury Pinetum & Forest, Cannock Chase Forest, Dalby Forest, Delamere Forest, High Lodge (Thetford), Sherwood Pines Forest, Wendover Woods.
- If visiting any of these forests on the day of joining or amending your member vehicle details, please be prepared with your membership documentation and make sue you visit our friendly staff at the Information Point on-site. We can then support you to exit the site.
- For some of our locations you will need to display a membership parking disc instead. If applicable for your chosen local membership or if a national member, you will receive a disc in your membership pack. If visiting before your pack arrives, please display the temporary membership document provided. The disc or temporary membership must be displayed at the following locations only:
- Bellever Forest, Ennerdale, two locations in Forest of Dean (Cannop Ponds and Wenchford), parts of Gisburn Forest & Stocks, Kielder Forest & Waterside, Rendlesham Forest, Seven Sisters Country Park (in partnership with South Downs National Park Authority).
What is included in the membership pack?
This may vary depending on which membership type you have chosen and can also depend on the way the car parks are managed at your chosen forest. Your pack will include a welcome letter and a single, personalised membership card which can be used to obtain a range of member benefits. Our national members also receive a map and booklet to help inspire your forest adventures across England.
The majority of our Forestry England managed car parks use Automatic Number Plate recognition (ANPR) instead of having a membership Parking Disc. Please also see our 'Membership at forests using number plate recognition' section for more information.
If applicable to how your local membership site is managed, or if you have national membership, you will also receive a Parking Disc in your pack. The disc must be clearly displayed in your vehicle when visiting the chosen forest named in your membership or where using a national membership to visit these certain locations. See our section on 'Parking disc' for more information. If you have registered two vehicles with us, you will need transfer the disc between the registered vehicles. We'll provide a disc holder to help you display it in your windscreen and transfer it between vehicles.
I am joining online and I cannot see where I enter my car registration details?
As part of your journey to join on-line, make sure you complete the Personal Details screen to create an account. You can enter up to two vehicle registrations along with the rest of your account information. If you already have an account set-up with us, you will need to log-into your account first, then select the person icon (shown at the top right-hand side of the screen) and then you can edit your personal details.
Can I use my membership with any type of vehicle?
Memberships cannot be used with minibuses or vehicles carrying more than 7 people. Please contact your local forest for details of minibus arrangements. Search forest name for visitor information and contact details.
I would like to buy a membership as a gift, how do I do this?
We have membership gift vouchers available for each membership type. You can now buy gift membership on-line, and the recipient of your gift then redeems the voucher to start their membership when ready. See more information about our gift membership options here.
How do I redeem my Forestry England membership gift voucher?
You can redeem your gift voucher on-line (or by phone if you need assistance). You will need to select the membership type named on your voucher (this will either be for national membership or one of our local membership options). Continue through the purchase as normal, then enter your voucher code at the payment stage. You can use the voucher for new membership or a renewal of your existing membership. The voucher must be used (redeemed) within 90 days of when the voucher was bought, but is valid for one annual membership.
Vouchers can only be redeemed on-line (or by phone if needing assistance). You can’t use a voucher to buy membership in person at the Forest Centre. You can contact us at membership@forestryengland.uk if you have any queries or need help.
I have been bought a membership gift voucher, but don’t want my membership to start straight away, what can I do?
Don’t worry, we can still help. Membership gift vouchers are valid for 90 days from date of purchase. This means the person receiving the gift must use their voucher within 90 days of when it was bought.
However, if you don’t want your membership to start straight away or your membership isn’t due for renewal yet, you can still redeem the voucher as normal, but delay the start of your membership. This can be done on-line by amending the start date during your purchase. You can contact us at membership@forestryengland.uk if you have any queries or need help.
Do you remind me when my membership needs renewing?
You will be sent reminders by emails (if an email address has been provided) before your membership expires (and after if applicable). We may also text you a reminder on the last day of your current membership term provided we have a mobile number for you and if not already renewed.
If you have paid for your membership by Credit/Debit card or gift voucher, you will be invited to renew for another year. You can log-in to your online account and renew your membership. Renewing online is the easiest option. If you are unable to renew online please email us at membership@forestryengland.uk or call 0300 068 0400.
If you set-up a Direct Debit Instruction with us, your membership will be automatically renewed for you unless you instruct us otherwise (prior to renewal) or have cancelled the Direct Debit. We will notify you by email in advance of your next membership term to notify you that the automated payment collection is approaching and what to do if you wish to cancel.
If we have not been able to email you for some reason, and so you don't miss out on being alerted, you will receive a letter by post instead. This is approximately four weeks before your membership is due for renewal.
I want to regularly move my membership parking disc between my two cars, what can I do?
If applicable to your membership location and for national members, you will have received a parking disc in your membership pack. The Forestry England membership pack also includes a holder (like a former tax disc holder). The holder enables you to easily move the membership parking disc between each of your registered cars. If renewing your national membership, we ask you to re-use your holder to help us save on resources. If you need a replacement holder, you can contact membership@forestryengland.uk to request one.
The membership allows me to register two cars, so can we have a second disc to display?
You can register up to two cars (from the same household), but the membership lets you park just one car at any one time, so only one membership parking disc is provided. For sites where the disc is not required, the entitlement is still the same and the vehicle recognition systems in use will still check your details. If your household brings two vehicles at the same time, then the second vehicle to arrive will need to pay normal parking charges. Access is for one car per membership at any one time.
The membership can be used on either of your registered vehicles, however the scheme does not offer 'double car usage', so if you require two parking spaces at the same time, this would either require the purchase of an additional membership or to pay for the additional car parking space as and when you need to. If you plan on taking your cars at separate times you can transfer the membership parking disc between them.
Can I display my membership card, a photocopy of my parking disc, or my confirmation email in my window instead?
No, neither of these can be accepted, the card is only used for obtaining discounts and your confirmation email is for your reference only. Photocopies are not accepted. The membership parking disc or temporary membership document are the only items that will be accepted. Either must be on display in your vehicle when visiting the forest. Failure to display a valid parking disc, temporary membership document, or day parking ticket will result in you receiving a parking fine. If you have received a temporary membership document, this can be used for the period stated and within the terms stated on the document.
The above policy does not apply where Automatic Number Plate Recognition is being used instead of displaying a membership disc. See other relevant FAQs about membership and ANPR for more information.
My membership parking disc or membership card is completely damaged, can it be replaced?
If your sticker has been damaged, please return it to us by post, with a brief covering note to: Membership, Forestry England, Innovation Centre, Croxton Road, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 1JD. Once the returned disc or card is received, we will arrange for a replacement to be delivered directly to you.
Which forests use automated number plate recognition (ANPR) instead of membership parking disc?
Abbots Wood (near Polegate)*, Alice Holt Forest, Bedgebury Pinetum & Forest, Birchden Wood, Bourne Wood, Cannock Chase Forest, Cardinham Woods, Dalby Forest, Delamere Forest**, Dodd Wood, Forest of Bere (Creech Wood, Havant Thicket, Upperford Copse, West Walk, Woodend), Forest of Dean (Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, Mallard's Pike, Symond's Yat Rock), Friston Forest (Butcher's Hole and Litlington Road car parks)*, Gisburn Forest & Stocks**, Great Wood, Grizedale Forest, Haldon Forest, Hamsterley Forest, Haughmond Hill, Hicks Lodge, High Lodge (in Thetford Forest), Jeskyns Community Woodland, Kilburn Woods, Leigh Woods, Salcey Forest, Sence Valley, Sherwood Pines, Wendover Woods, Whinlatter Forest, and Wyre Forest.
*Abbot's Wood and Friston Forest uses ANPR technology. When visiting Seven Sisters Country Park, please continue to display a membership parking disc.
**ANPR is used in the main car parks at both Gisburn Forest and Stocks, and Delamere Forest, but please still display your membership parking disc when parking in the other Pay and Display style car parks included within these memberships.
All other memberships sites will require a membership Parking Disc to be displayed in the vehicle. Members with a national membership are advised to keep their membership Parking Disc in the vehicle and ensure registered vehicles are kept up to date to avoid having to know which method of car park management is being used at different locations.
We are gradually introducing ANPR to more locations across the country, so please keep your registration details up to date on your membership account. This is essential to us being able to recognise you as a member and for you to avoid receiving a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) or experiencing difficulty leaving the forest where we have car park barrier systems in use.
How does Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) work for members?
You will not need to visit a pay station. Member’s vehicle registration plates will be automatically recognised provided we have your correct details. You will not need to display a membership Parking Disc at the sites mentioned above (see previous FAQ), unless otherwise stated. There are some exceptions to this, so please follow any guidance given in your member pack. If you experience any issues or need any advice, please contact our team on 0300 068 0400 or membership@forestryengland.uk
I have a new vehicle, what should I do?
Please keep us informed of any vehicle changes by updating your details on-line (you may need to log-in using your email address as your user name and reset your password if necessary). Please update your details no later than the day before your next visit. This timing is essential to ensure the system recognises your new vehicle. See our 'changing details' section below for more guidance.
I have not been able to update my details before my visit. What should I do?
Please go to the Visitor Centre or Information Point when you arrive so our staff can assist you and avoid any difficulties when you come to leave. If necessary, please make sure you update your details on-line before your next visit. For locations where there is no staffed Information Point available, please contact us at membership@forestryengland.uk or call 0300 0680400.
How do I change details of my registered cars?
If you have given an email address when becoming a member, you are likely to have been set up with an online account. You can update your details on-line (you may need to log-in using your email address as your user name and reset your password if necessary).
If you don't have an online account, please email details of any changes to membership@forestryengland.uk and these will be updated for you. If you don't have access to email or you would like us to set up an account for you, please call 0300 068 0400.
Your car registrations do need to be up to date, but there is no need for your car registration number/s to be displayed on your membership parking disc or membership card, just continue to use your existing sticker (if applicable for your membership type) and ensure this is clearly displayed in your windscreen when visiting the forest.
Can I change the details of car registrations on my temporary membership document?
Temporary membership documents are issued by email for online and phone purchases and are for use in the first four weeks of your membership. This is while you wait for your full membership pack to arrive by post. Due to the short validity period of the temporary form and the way these are issued, we can't reissue or amend the details on these.
How do I change my address / phone number / email address?
If you have given an email address when becoming a member, you are likely to have been set up with an online account. You can update your details on-line (you may need to log-in using your email address as your user name and reset your password if necessary). If changing your email address, please contact us for support (as this is also your username and could otherwise accidently block your account).
If you don't have an online account, please email details of any changes to membership@forestryengland.uk and these will be updated for you. If you don't have access to email or you would like us to set up an account for you, please call 0300 068 0400.
Why am I not receiving membership newsletters or how do I stop these?
Firstly, please check your spam folder in your email account to ensure they are not being blocked. You will only receive the newsletters if you have provided a valid email address and given us your consent to receive marketing. Please send your email address and member account details to us at membership@forestryengland.uk and we will ensure this is activated on your account. Our member newsletters are sent four times a year. We also send additional emails as part of your membership where necessary or as part of the service being provided.
If you do receive our newsletters and want them to stop, then please unsubscribe via the link provided in your latest newsletter email.
I'm a member, but I've received a parking charge notice (PCN) during or after parking at the forest?
To avoid this occurring, it is important that you keep your car registrations accurate and up to date on our records throughout your membership. Depending on which forest you've chosen for your membership, you may also be required to display a membership parking disc (this shows your current membership type, its expiry date and a membership reference number). If you’ve just joined or renewed your membership, you may need to display your temporary membership document instead.
If you have received a PCN then this may be due to either:
- an error in the information you’ve provided or being held on your membership account
- or an error within our processes
You can follow an appeal process (by following the guidance on the notice received) and the cause of the issue can be investigated. Please only use the website address listed on the PCN. There is no charge for making an appeal directly with the issuer. If you need help providing appeal evidence to our car park enforcement partner, or you have a concern about the details of your membership, then you can also contact us directly: membership@forestryengland.uk or 0300 068 0400. We will be able to help by checking your membership and any changes made on your account.
Where the PCN has been issued due to a simple error in the information provided or an issue with our process, then an appeal would be honoured and no fee would be due.
Where the PCN has been issued due to car registrations not being properly kept up to date by the member, or a parking disc has not been displayed when necessary, our PCN (enforcement) provider will still charge an administration fee to cover the administration costs still incurred.
You will not be charged any fee for seeking help from Forestry England to resolve the issue.
Why are you issuing parking charge notices (PCNs) or administration fees?
We would not intentionally issue a PCN to a member and it would only happen if some issue has occurred (see above). If the issue is as a result of our error, then of course we would help cancel the PCN and no fee would be due. We will always try to avoid errors occurring and will promptly correct any mistakes we’ve made.
If you have made a mistake with your membership details, then we can still help correct the issue and with any valid appeal process. In some circumstances, our PCN (enforcement) provider may still charge a small fee just to cover the administrations costs we’ve still incurred with them. The admin fee is not the full PCN charge. You will not be charged any fee for seeking help from Forestry England to resolve the issue.
We use car park monitoring and enforcement to help ensure everyone visiting specific forests or woodlands are contributing to our work caring for them, through one form or another. Your support as a Member and your experience with us is extremely important. Our approach to car park enforcement is intended to support the value of membership by ensuring non-member visitors are still contributing too (via other methods). The monitoring and enforcement process is not intended to penalise our valued members and in the rare circumstance that an issue has occurred, we will do what we can to assist you.
I have lost my membership parking disc / membership card. Can it be replaced?
We advise that you take care of your sticker and card. As our terms and conditions state, we may be unable to replace them if lost or stolen. Please contact us at membership@forestryengland.uk (or call 0300 068 0400) to report any losses and for help.
How will payment for my membership show on my statement?
If you set-up a Direct Debit for your membership, payments will show on your bank statements as to Forestry England. Credit or Debit card payments for membership made online or by phone are processed via WorldPay, but are taken by Forestry England. On your card / bank statement this will show as 'Forestry England'. If you buy at your local forest your card will either be charged by Forestry England, Forestry Commission or a separate local retail provider.
