Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is open from 8am every day except Christmas Day. The National Pinetum comprises of a world-renowned tree collection with over 12000 specimen trees. The forest is home to a children’s play trail, Go Ape high ropes courses, many miles of family cycling and mountain bike trails and waymarked running routes.
There's no need to book in advance to visit; except for a Go Ape experience or one of our special events. Closing times change with the seasons and range from 3.30pm during special events, 5pm during winter and 8pm in summer.
Please check our website before you travel or look at the closing time signage on arrival.
Walking and running
Whether you're planning a short walk, a longer hike or an off-road run, there are plenty of ways to keep active at Bedgebury.
We have a waymarked Pinetum trail walking route and four waymarked running routes of 2k, 3k, 5k and 10k. Why not walk a running route? Each year we have a new seasonal trail taking in the best of the National Pinetum.
The National Pinetum includes rare and endangered tree species, we kindly ask you not to climb on any tree except fallen ones or logs.
Cycling
Our cycle trails offer something for everyone, from beginners and families looking for a fun day out, to adrenalin junkies looking for a challenge. Bedgebury Forest is home to a 9km family cycle trail and 13km of singletrack mountain bike trails
We ask that you do not cycle in the National Pinetum, the play areas or around the visitor centre and car park. Please use our designated cycle trails and follow safety signage. We allow children to ride bikes and scooters in the pinetum if they are under 70cm from floor to handlebars.
We welcome e-bikes. These must be road legal and not modified. Visitors cannot use e-scooters as they are illegal (except on private land or as part of a formal government trial)
Play and outdoor family fun
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is the perfect place to bring the whole family for an outdoor adventure.
Take family walks to new heights by following our interactive Gruffalo Party Trail, the latest from the exciting partnership between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures.
Have you discovered our 2km natural play trail? Follow in the footsteps of historic plant hunters by climbing, swinging and sliding around 12 different play areas.
Explore our trees in the National Pinetum and you might just bump into Gruffalo or one of his six friends!
Why not book a high ropes experience at Go Ape to see the trees high up in the canopy?
Dogs
Dogs are welcome at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest! Please keep them on a lead when you are in the car park, the National Pinetum and the play areas.
Well-behaved dogs are allowed inside the Information point and atrium. The cafe remains dog-free.
Dogs can be taken off the lead in the wider forest but please be mindful of other visitors and take extra care near our bike trails. Dogs aren't allowed on the singletrack mountain bike trails.
Bins are only located around the visitor centre. To reduce waste on site we encourage all visitors to take their litter home.
Food and drink
Bedgebury Cafe offers refreshments daily from 8:30am at the visitor centre and there's no need to book ahead.
The cafe serves a wide range of tasty hot and cold locally sourced food, delicious cakes and freshly baked pastries, as well as a range of hot and cold refreshments. Bedgebury Cafe caters for a wide range of dietary requirements. Just chat with a member of the team.
At weekends and during busier days Bedgebury Kiosk is open next to Go Ape for grab-and-go snacks, drinks and ice creams. You're welcome to bring picnics but please consider supporting Bedgebury by supplementing these with something from the cafe. Take all litter home or use the bins located around the visitor centre.
Keep it clean
Pests and diseases pose a threat to our internationally significant tree collection at Bedgebury. They can spread rapidly and have a devastating impact on our landscapes. Biosecurity is the set of precautions we take to stop the spread in our forests. We're protecting woodlands and keeping our trees healthy, but we need your help.
Think about bikes, boots and buggies when you visit, and watch this short video for biosecurity tips.
