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

Opening hours

Open every day except Christmas Day.  

 

Weekdays

Monday
Main car park 8am - 8pm
Cafe 9am - 4pm
Tuesday
Main car park 8am - 8pm
Cafe 9am - 4pm
Wednesday
Main car park 8am - 8pm
Cafe 9am - 4pm
Thursday
Main car park 8am - 8pm
Cafe 9am - 9pm
Friday
Main car park 8am - 8pm
Cafe 9am - 4pm

Weekends

Saturday
Main car park 8am - 8pm
Cafe 9am - 5pm
Sunday
Main car park 8am - 8pm
Cafe 9am - 5pm

How to find us

How to find us
Hicks Lodge, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Swadlincote
Sat Nav Postcode: LE65 2UP
By Car

From Ashby Road take Willesley Woodside. The carpark for Hicks Lodge will be on the right.

By Public Transport

There is no public transport to this site.

OS Grid Ref
SK 329 155

52.7364716, -1.5141606

Parking and prices

Parking charges apply at Hicks Lodge.

All our Pay & Display machines accept coin and card payments.

Disabled parking available – normal parking charges apply.

You can now use RingGo* at Hicks Lodge which allows you to pay for parking online or via an app. Please download the Ringo App before travelling if you can.

Pay for parking on your phone in 5 easy steps:

1. Open the RingGo app, or download for free if you haven’t already got it, using the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).
2. Log in with your RingGo details, or register as a new user.
3. Select your location by entering the 3–6 digit number shown on the parking signs.
4. Enter your number plate and choose how long you’d like to park for. Remember, you can extend this later.
5. Choose to add any handy parking reminders you need, then just tap to pay.

And you’re good to go! Your details are saved so next time, you can park even faster.

If you’re not a smartphone user, you can still use RingGo to pay for your parking by calling 0203 046 0063. You can also register and book parking with RingGo online. You can also pay by credit or debit cards at the machine. 

*There is a small convenience charge for using this service.  See RingGo online for full terms and conditions and VAT receipts.

We have a small dedicated area for horsebox parking located opposite our main car park. The charge is £6 and on arrival you will need to collect a key from the Café to unlock the barrier. 

Thank you for paying to park. We use the money you spend on parking to look after the nation’s forests. We don’t make a profit and rely on the support of our visitors and members, so every penny you spend is invested by Forestry England back into the management of our woodlands and is needed to make Hicks Lodge a great place for a day out.

Parking Charges

The money you pay for parking helps us to look after the forests. Read how
Up to 1 hour £2.00
Up to 2 hours £4.00
All day £6.00

Additional information

Regular visitors can save money by becoming a Member - Find out more about our membership offer
Number of accessible parking spaces: 5

Facilities and access

  • We look forward to welcoming visitors back to Hicks Lodge without legal restrictions. Please remember to take personal responsibility for your health and hygiene and respect others if they wish to continue with some safety measures, such as wearing a mask or social distancing.
  • Be kind and patient to our staff, volunteers and onsite business partners. They are working hard to help you to get the best out of your visit.
Accessible toilet
Assistant dogs welcome
Baby changing facilities
Bird hide
Cafe
Cycle hire
Dogs allowed
Easy access trail
Picnic area
Play Area
Toilets
Wildlife hide

Contact details

Activities at Hicks Lodge

Man cycling at Hicks Lodge
Cycling and mountain biking trails at Hicks Lodge
Adult in The British Horse Society high vis walking a child on a horse
Horse Riding at Hicks Lodge
bench in front of a lake
Walking at Hicks Lodge
Bird hide next to lake at hicks lodge
Bird hide at Hicks Lodge
Little girl climbing in play area
Children's play area at Hicks Lodge
Two children in forest, one in coat and wellies is running over a dirt mound
Little Acorns Forest School
Orienteering compass on tree
Orienteering At Hicks Lodge
couple enjoying a picnic in a clearing within a forest
Picnics at Hicks Lodge
Child adding stickers to a Zog pack
Zog activity trail at Hicks Lodge

Nearby forests

Sence Valley lake

Located north-west of Leicester, come and discover Sence Valley’s fascinating history. Once part of a large coal mine that closed in 1996, we planted 98,000 trees in 1998, transforming Sence Valley into a haven for wildlife and visitors.

Sensory garden at Rosliston

From surfaced trails and cycle routes to outdoor play areas, a cafe and a sensory garden, a visit to Rosliston Forestry Centre is a great day out for everyone! 

Pick up a site guide when you arrive or download from our website and create your own adventure...

Meander through the mature woodland at Fox Covert to gain an insight of how the rest of The National Forest may look in the future. 

Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership
Volunteer with us invitation - click to discover volunteer opportunities across England