Designed for our younger visitors, our new play area should keep them entertained. We've built climbing frames, scramble nets, swings and a balance course all with the youngest members of the group in mind.

If you are a little older, then the rest of Hicks Lodge becomes your playground - go build a den, play hide-and-seek in the trees, or bring a bike and have a go at the family-friendly cycle trail.

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

The play area at Beechenhurst has a host of wooden play equipment for your kids to enjoy. There is a separate area specially made for toddlers.

Play features include a zip line, nest swing and mining-themed climbing frame.

Picnic tables are available, including mini versions for the children.

Please leave dogs outside of the play area and always shut the gates. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Pack your trail runners and head to one of the Midland’s most well-known forests!

From buying timber to superb business and partnership opportunities, we are a great organisation to work with.

Our Forest Event Room is conveniently located next to GoApe, near the main visitor welcome area, close to the café, toilets and play areas.

The room holds up to 50 people and has a projector, screen, white board and power points and is heated by a cosy wood burning stove. There is also a small kitchen area with a fridge, kettle, hot water urn and microwave.

Hire charges

Schools and non-profit groups - £90 per day

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. 

We will be exploring a combination of the green (easy) and blue route - Perry trail. The surface of the Perry trail is generally smooth with muddy areas. It has single track and gentle berms. The perfect trail to help you take the next step on your mountain bike journey as you transition from green. Most of the trail has gentle slopes.

After the ride, we will meet at the cafe for refreshments. We never leave anyone behind.

Thursday 10 August 10.30am

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

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

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. 

Step into the fairy tale woods of Gisburn Forest and Stocks. Explore the trails and experience a sense of space and freedom as you breathe in the fresh air and hear the peaceful bird song.

Gisburn’s dramatic scenery, with deep forest and challenging hills, provides the perfect backdrop for our award-winning mountain bike trails. Demanding climbs and exhilarating downhills make it the ultimate off-road mecca!

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

2024 is The Gruffalo’s 25th birthday year and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

Worcestershire Health Walks aim to improving the county’s health and well-being by encouraging more people to become physically active through the simplest form of exercise - walking.

Run by Worcestershire County Council, the scheme introduces walking through a series of local, short group walks led by a trained volunteer walk leader, for people with a low level of activity or a long-term health condition.

Join us with your four-legged family members to celebrate all things dog!

Explore exciting stalls, have a go at activities, and try your paw in our charity dog show. Make a day of it with an exhilarating walk around the forest packed with sounds and sniffs to discover. Finish your pawsome day with a stop at the Ridge Cafe to refuel for the trip home.

Exciting trade stands already confirmed

Absolute Animal Designs

parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in.

These events take place in pleasant forest surroundings and people of every ability are encouraged to take part. From those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience; everyone is welcome.

Get Wednesdays off to a great start with a fun, friendly, fitness kick in the forest! Enjoy a fun-filled, varied fitness session in the beautiful surroundings of Whinlatter Forest. We will make use of the spaces, terrain and features of the forest to strengthen your mental and physical health.

This is the ride for you if you would like to give mountain biking a go or are new to mountain biking and would like to ride at one of the Lake District trail centres.  Ride in a women only group round the Blue  Mountain Bike Route at Whinlatter.  We will be riding at the pace of the slowest rider so we don't leave anyone behind.  It will be the ideal opportunity for you to increase your confidence on trails.  Afterwards we can reward ourselves with cake in the cafe.

Spending time amongst the trees and really noticing nature is scientifically proven to boost our mental and physical health. Follow the trail to take a mindful walk through the forest that invites you to really relax. 

What to expect 

Themed panels along the trail will invite you to pause, notice and connect with the forest environment around you. 

British Cycling and Forestry England have teamed up to offer free, women-only group cycle rides for all abilities in the nation’s forests. Every group ride is led by a qualified Breeze into the Forest Champion who will organise everything and make sure everyone stays safe.

British Cycling and Forestry England have teamed up to offer free, women-only group cycle rides for all abilities in the nation’s forests. Every group ride is led by a qualified Breeze into the Forest Champion who will organise everything and make sure everyone stays safe.

Spending time amongst the trees and really noticing nature is scientifically proven to boost our mental and physical health. Take some time for you and try our new wellbeing trail at Thames Chase, a mindful walk through the forest that invites you to really relax.

Panels along the trail will prompt you to stop, notice and connect with the wellbeing benefits of the forest environment.

Cardinham Woods is a Cornish hidden gem, nestling in a beautiful valley with a bubbling stream. The mixed woodland rolls across the valley sides of Cardinham water (part of the River Fowey) with opportunities to explore on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback.

Discover stunning viewpoints, local wildlife, and a slice of Cornish history with the remnants of a former lead mine and an ancient clapper bridge.

Forestry England is excited to deliver a programme of themed walks in partnership with Age UK Devon at Haldon Forest Park near Exeter.

Join us every first and third Monday of the month from March to September 2024, for guided walks with artists, storytellers and experts in wellbeing and bushcraft!

These slow paced, social walks are open to everyone aged over 50. Walks are free of charge and include a well-earned hot drink and cake in the café afterwards.

British Cycling and Forestry England have teamed up to offer free, women-only group cycle rides for all abilities in the nation’s forests. Every group ride is led by a qualified Breeze into the Forest Champion who will organise everything and make sure everyone stays safe.

Try our fun, navigational challenge at Mallards Pike using a simple map to find twelve Gruffalo markers hidden in the deep, dark wood.

If you're feeling competitive, choose to run, walk (or skip!) the course against the clock.

Before you begin the trail, pick up a Gruffalo orienteering leaflet with a certificate and map for just £1.50. These are available from the following:

High Lodge is a safe space in nature for every generation to escape and be free. Providing opportunities for adventure and exploration with a range of exciting activities around every corner. 

British Cycling and Forestry England have teamed up to offer free, women-only group cycle rides for all abilities in the nation’s forests. Every group ride is led by a qualified Breeze into the Forest Champion who will organise everything and make sure everyone stays safe.

British Cycling and Forestry England have teamed up to offer free, women-only group cycle rides for all abilities in the nation’s forests. Every group ride is led by a qualified Breeze into the Forest Champion who will organise everything and make sure everyone stays safe.