Jeskyns Community Woodland

For those that wish to explore further, the Darnley Trail links Jeskyns to five neighbouring countryside sites, including Shorne Woods Country Park and Ashenbank Woods.  

A community of fairies and elves have recently discovered Jeskyns and they liked it so much that they have decided to set up their very own village! 

Look for the gate in the Sand Pit Play Area to discover wonderful tiny new residences such as Acorn Apartments, Mushroom Manor, The Old Boot Inn and Tree Top Village. 

Just 500m from the Café on a surfaced trail even little legs won't find it too hard to get to! Sorry, dogs not allowed, but there is a comfy bench outside the play area where dog owners can rest whilst children explore.

The horse trail is a grass surfaced 6km trail that circumnavigates the whole of the site. Access on to the trail is through a horse step through stile at the entrance (no gate).

Whilst it is marked as a “horse trail” riders will likely encounter other visitors on it including pedestrians, dogs and cyclists. Please bear this in mind if you are bringing a nervous horse or you are an inexperienced rider.

If you are visiting with your horse box, please contact us at jeskynsranger@forestryengland.uk to arrange access (48hours notice needed the first time). We will ask you to supply vehicle and contact details and then issue you with the access code which you can use for ongoing future visits.

Weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends. Whilst we make provision for horse box parking this is a popular facility and so we cannot guarantee parking space.

No permit is needed to ride at Jeskyns.

For more information on our facilities, opening times and contact details, please see our visitor information.

Try your hand at orienteering, a map reading challenge for all levels.

The aim for everyone is to navigate between control points marked on an orienteering map. If you are a little more competitive the challenge is to complete the course in the quickest time.

There is a permanent course at Jeskyns, designed by Dartford Orienteering Klubb. Various trails are available for children and families, beginners and experts.