Visitor information
Opening hours
How to find us
Parking & prices
Facilities & access
Contact details

Opening hours

The forest is open 7 days a week, dawn to dusk

We do not allow camping or overnight stays in the forest or any of the car parks in Grizedale Forest.

 

Weekdays

Monday
Visitor Centre 10am - 4pm
Bike Hire 9am - 5pm
Cafe 10am - 4pm
Tuesday
Visitor Centre 10am - 4pm
Bike Hire 9am - 5pm
Cafe 10am - 4pm
Wednesday
Visitor Centre 10am - 4pm
Bike Hire 9am - 5pm
Cafe 10am - 4pm
Thursday
Visitor Centre 10am - 4pm
Bike Hire 9am - 5pm
Cafe 10am - 4pm
Friday
Visitor Centre 10am - 4pm
Bike Hire 9am - 5pm
Cafe 10am - 4pm

Weekends

Saturday
Visitor Centre 10am - 4pm
Bike Hire 9am - 5pm
Cafe 10am - 4pm
Sunday
Visitor Centre 10am - 4pm
Bike Hire 9am - 5pm
Cafe 10am - 4pm

How to find us

How to find us

Please note that not all routes to the forest are accessible by coaches. Coaches should approach from the south.

 

Forestry Commission Visitor Centre, Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead
Sat Nav Postcode: LA22 0QJ
By Car

From the north (unsuitable for coaches):

Follow the A591 to Ambleside, leave Ambleside A593 to Langdale Coniston. Take first left B5286 to Hawkshead. Bypass Hawkshead following B5286 south then take first right at the sign for 'Grizedale'. Follow the road for approximately 2 miles.

From the south (unsuitable for coaches, see below)

Exit M6 at junction 36 and take the A590 towards Barrow. Follow A590 past Newby Bridge to Haverthwaite Crossroads. Turn right, following tourist sign to 'Grizedale Forest Park', follow signs for Satterthwaite/Grizedale North.

Coaches to approach from the south:

Exit M6 at junction 36 and take the A590 towards Barrow. Follow A590 past Newby Bridge to Haverthwaite Crossroads. Ignore the tourist sign for 'Grizedale Forest Park' and turn right onto the A595 at Greenodd for approximately 1/2 mile. At Penny Bridge turn right for Colton/Oxen Park.

Follow this road for approx. 8 miles to Grizedale Forest.

 

OS Grid Ref
SD331944

54.338834536902, -3.0227733220042

Parking and prices

The Visitor Centre car parks take cards or coins (Kennels car park is card only), however the machines are unable to give change.

The machines accept credit and debit cards or pay online at Park with Ease up to 48 hours after your visit.

 

Charges

Up to 20 minutes: No charge

First hour: £2.50

Additional time: £0.50 per 15 minutes

All day maximum charge: £8

Members: No action required

 

 

The Moor Top and Bogle car park machines are currently covered and there are no  charges to park here.

 

Parking Charges

The money you pay for parking helps us to look after the forests. Read how

Additional information

Regular visitors can save money by becoming a Member - Find out more about our membership offer
Number of accessible parking spaces: 6
Card payments accepted
Coaches/Minibuses welcomed
Pay on exit system

Facilities and access

Barbecues and fires are not currently allowed anywhere in the forest.

We do not allow camping or overnight stays in the forest or any of the car parks in Grizedale Forest

Visit England We're Good to Go green tick

For more information on planning your visit, take a look at our accessibility information:

Assistant dogs welcome
Cafe
Dogs allowed
Easy access trail
Picnic area

Contact details

Activities at Grizedale

Sally Matthews Wolf
Art Exhibitions
Child jumping in puddle and being splashed in the face
Children's play area at Grizedale
Mountain biker racing in Hamsterley Forest
Cycling and mountain biking trails at Grizedale
people on Segways on a forest path
Go Ape Forest Segway at Grizedale
Go ape tree top adventure wendover woods
Go Ape Tree Top Adventure+ at Grizedale
Go ape tree top junior Grizedale
Go Ape Tree Top Adventure at Grizedale
Family on Go Ape tree top adventure
Go Ape Tree Top Challenge at Grizedale
Go ape zip trekking adventure Grizedale
Go Ape Zip Trekking Adventure at Grizedale
Couple on a picnic bench in a campsite
Grizedale Campsite
RUUP by Birgit Oigus, Grizedale, 2018. Photo creds: Amelia Harvey
Grizedale Sculptures
Horse riding on gravel tracks
Horse riding at Grizedale
Grizedale Low Bowkerstead Cottage snug
Low Bowkerstead Cottage at Grizedale
child friendly cycling page
Mushroom cycle trail family orienteering at Grizedale
Group of three people walking past a tree
Orienteering at Grizedale
Picnic table within bluebells
Picnics at Grizedale
Family walking in Grizedale forest
Ridding Wood trail at Grizedale
Family with a tramper in the forest
Tramper hire and trail at Grizedale Forest
Walking boots in autumn
Walking trails at Grizedale
Woman using Zog app
Zog activity trail at Grizedale

Nearby forests

View over Hardknott, lake district

The entire 630 hectare site at Hardknott Forest is being restored to native habitats of oak and birch woodland, peatbogs, heather and grassland.

Whitbarrow forest hills

Residing within the Lake District National Park, Whitbarrow Forest is situated on a limestone ridge overlooking the Lyth Valley approximately eight kilometres to the south-west of Kendal.

The wider Whitbarrow massif is a popular walking area; much of which is now designated open access land. The whole area is well-served with public footpaths, permissive paths and a wide range of other paths and tracks.

Eggerslack

Eggerslack Woods is a delightful, tranquil place with native trees, an abundance of wildlife and a wide range of holly, ivy and ferns. Located south of Kendal, it is well-equipped with footpaths and is a natural gateway to spectacular views.

Eggerslack Wood is a popular location for walkers and is often visited as part of more extended walks over Hampsfell. Eggerslack is well placed to offer short walks from Grange-over-Sands or from the parking area on Hampsfell Road.

View of Pillar from Blengdale Forest viewpoint

Discover a variety of outdoor experiences at Blengdale Forest, from a gentle walk up the valley of the River Bleng to a cycle ride around the forest roads. 

From the highest points, Blengdale offers wild views of Wasdale, Haycock and the West Cumbrian Coast.

For some light refreshment stop off in Gosforth and sample the delicious Gosforth Bakery's pies, famous throughout Cumbria.

Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership
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