Hicks Lodge

With the family friendly, off road Wood Farm trail as well as the longer, more challenging Shell Brook trail, Hicks Lodge has cycle routes for all abilities. Find out about cycle here: Bike Hire – Grounds Cycle Centres

We welcome horses and riders at Hicks Lodge. We have a dedicated horse route which is open throughout the spring and summer months and takes you through a large part of the outer forest on maintained grassy tracks. 

Planning a visit? Please take a look at this essential information before arriving. 

You will be able to re-fuel at the cafe whilst making use of our purpose-built horse corral with mounting block and parking for trailers and horse boxes is easy in the dedicated and secure horse-box car park which is over the road from the main car park. The horse trail is not shared, however please be mindful when riding as you may come across walkers. The trail also crosses our cycling and walking trails. The loop around the lake is shared and very busy so consideration should be given to all users.

The trail is shown on the map and there is a board in the horse box car park that also has the trail on.

The loop around the lake is a public bridleway and links to Donisthorpe and Moira public bridleways, these are open access and can be ridden all year round.

This largely flat circular trail takes you through our newly-planted woodland trees and around the lake at the heart of our site. The gravel surfaced trail starts close to the car park, outside of the café and toilets.

There are stops along the way with benches for you to relax with a picnic and enjoy the views.

The largely flat circular family forest trail takes you through our newly-planted woodland trees and around the lake where you will find a secluded haven for wildlife enthusiasts.

Our bird hide sits on the water edge and offers fantastic views across the lake of water birds, the sand martin wall and shingle island.