Whether you've just bought your first bike, or you're happy shredding through rock gardens, Dalby Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling. Exploring this stunning forest on two wheels will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

With graded trails for various abilities, there is something for everyone to enjoy no matter the weather!

About Nile Rodgers & CHIC

Nile Rodgers is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a multiple Grammy Award winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist.

As the co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits like "Le Freak”, the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records, and sparked the advent of hip-hop with "Good Times."

Earth Photo, the international competition and exhibition created by Forestry England and the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), showcases photographs and videos that document the natural world, its breathtaking beauty, and its ever-growing fragility.

The Dalby Forest exhibition displayed a selection of the shortlisted entries, allowing visitors to view the stunning images in a beautiful forest setting. 

Our magical Christmas trail will return to Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest in 2024. This unmissable event will bring festive cheer to all your family and friends as you take an after-dark stroll through the world leading conifer collection to experience some marvellous illuminations.

You'll be able to book your tickets soon. Make sure you are among the first to secure your tickets and get your ideal timeslot by subscribing for updates.

A magical trail with new lights for 2024 – an after-dark stroll through our world-leading collection of conifers

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is a place to make new memories with your friends and family this Christmas. Over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds will fill the air with festive fun. 

A decorated tree is a real symbol of Christmas, and these days Christmas trees come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Some of ours are true giants!

But how did this tradition evolve from something reserved for royalty into the huge spectacle we see today?

Located south of Marlborough, Savernake Forest is rich in history and has lots to explore. It is a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) as well as a registered important historic park, making it the perfect forest for an exciting and educational day out. 

Malton Sculpture Trail came to Dalby in an installation immersed in nature.

The trail was situated down our popular easy-access Ellerburn trail, featuring 10 sculptures from the Malton Sculpture Trail.

Malton Sculpture Trail is an open and accessible series of community art events based in Malton, Ryedale.

Dalby Forest Runner

Be a forest runner and join us in our running series across the nation’s forests this spring. The profits from Forest Runner sales help us grow, shape and care for the nation's forests, now and for future generations.

Whether you are a 5k or a 10k Forest Runner, choose your challenge and enjoy a run in some beautiful surroundings.

Join in the conversation using #ForestRunner

Join Gill from &MoreFlowers for an enjoyable workshop designing and creating your very own Christmas wreath! 

All equipment, greenery and decorations will be provided, but please bring your own secateurs if you have them. A choice of hot drink and a slice of cake from Grounds Cafe is included in your ticket price! 

Stalls  |  Festive treats  |  Activities 

Kickstart your Christmas spirit with a new Christmas Event to High Lodge. A festive market of craft stalls, festive menu at the cafe and on site activities.

Stalls from 10am 

Fun Run from 11am

What our stallholders to be selling

If you want to explore the forest and discover more about how it’s used and what animals live here, then why not buy one of our Forest Activity Bags. These family friendly packs are available at the Visitor Centre, with each bag containing some fantastic tools and instructions so you can go on your own woodland adventure.

This magnificent woodland has many miles of ancient wood banks, building remains and ancient trees. The 'druids', or veteran oaks, are rare and amazing wildlife habitats, and some of the old oaks are over 600 years old. See what you can spot on your visit to this medieval royal hunting forest.

We’ve got endless walking trails, a family cycling trail, adventure play area and even an onsite cafe selling tasty homemade meals and cakes in a warm, friendly environment.

Wyre Forest is the largest woodland National Nature Reserve in the country and can be found to the west of Birmingham.

Explore the arboretum to find the unusual Whitty Pear and don't forget to refuel in our on-site cafe. Our Go Ape course will keep the kids (and adults!) entertained and we've even got a dog wash on-site to keep your pooch pampered.

It’s that time of year again, when you can take some time out and enjoy a minced pie while you create your own Christmas wreath. There will be lots of traditional greenery and seasonal treats from the hedgerow to choose from, so you can make your wreath as wild and natural as you dare.

Your workshop ticket includes free entry to the arboretum so you can enjoy the rest of your day discovering one of the most diverse and beautiful botanical collections in the world.

Fun Run

Whether you’re up for the challenge of 5k, or you’d prefer a shorter distance of 2.5k, support The Big C by running or walking through the forest here at High Lodge, Thetford.

Wrist bands with jingle bells will be worn to recreate that wonderful Christmas sound of Santa’s sleigh, to give us all that magical festive feel. 

Christmas Market event village

Join Gill from &MoreFlowers for a relaxed workshop creating your very own Christmas table decoration! 

Using locally sourced greenery with flowers in festive colours, you will create a decoration to be proud of and leave you with the skills to repeat your success for years to come.

Flowers, greenery and decoration is all provided, plus you'll get a choice of hot drink and a slice of delicious cake from Grounds during the workshop. 

Background to the project

Three great minds have come together to create a world's first. Mark Ellis, a specialist dry stone waller with almost 30 years of experience joined forces with the Friends of Dalby Forest and Forestry England to create the world's largest dry stone wall maze in the heart of Dalby Forest. 

Cosy up for a Christmassy crafting experience in our snug yurt and create your own handmade Christmas wreath! 

Create a unique handmade wreath and enjoy a bit of 'me' time.

Wreaths, moss and natural products, ribbon etc. are provided. Bring along a pair of secateurs if you have them and any special bits you want to include. Festive refreshments will be included. 

Plan your perfect visit by choosing from the range of self-guided activities below.

Mix and match based on your preferences or get in touch and we can help organise your day.

Booking your self-guided visit

Please contact the local learning team before you visit by emailing learning.yorkshire@forestryengland.uk so that they can help you make the most out of your day.

Looking for a real Christmas tree shop near you? Pop your details in the form and we'll let you know via email when you can come and choose the perfect tree.

Treasured family traditions make Christmas extra special so join us in the forest this festive season to make choosing the perfect tree part of yours. Wrap up warm, pull on your boots and make it a day for everyone to remember.

Delamere Forest, within easy reach of both Manchester and Liverpool, is a place to let off steam, escape the crowds and find peace in the heart of the forest.

Join us for a two hour evening in Dalby Forest, filled with magic, breathwork, yoga, meditation, and the setting of New Year's Intentions. January is a time of reflection upon any situations in our lives that are no longer serving us.

With way marked trails for woodland walks, children’s play areas, Go Ape, orienteering trails and even a dog activity trail, you will not be stuck for something to do at Cannock Chase Forest, located north of Birmingham in the West Midlands.

Using felt and special pens, enjoy making one of the magical characters from the Little Owl and the Christmas Lights story featuring Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest. 

Photographs and films which stimulate conversations about our world, its inhabitants and our treatment of both were submitted to Earth Photo 2021, an international photography project developed jointly by Forestry England and the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).