Search

Women in pink coat walking through spring woodland
Fitness and wellbeing activities

Join certified forest therapy practitioner and forest bathing guide, Gina from Adaptable By Design for this nature-immersive wellness experience in Chalkney Wood.

 

What to expect

Forest bathing is a slow, gentle, sensory-immersive walk where you soak up the atmosphere of the natural environment. It is like no walk you’ve ever experienced!

BBQ ALice Holt Food
Picnics and barbecues

Enjoy sizzling sausages or grilled halloumi in the forest! Friston Forest has a barbecue available for you to book at our car park on Litlington Road. 

Our barbecue is suitable for large groups of family and friends. Disposable and portable barbecues are not allowed.

Barbecue hire is £22 and are available all year round, parking charges apply. Don't forget to bring your own charcoal and tools!

Picnic table at sunrise
Blog
06 July 2020
Whether you are planning your next family adventure or looking for a way to keep the kids entertained over the summer holidays, we’ve put together a selection of our favourite forest themed picnic ideas to treat your taste buds.
Horse riding on gravel tracks
Horse riding

We have an open access policy for horse riders within Kings Forest.

There are no designated riding trails but see OS explorer map 229 to orientate yourself.

The forest is also open to walkers and cyclists so please be aware of other users. Throughout the year Kings Forest has various recreational events - please take note of any marshals and safety signage in place during your visit.

Two children in forest, one in coat and wellies is running over a dirt mound
Other family activities

Little Acorns Forest Schools run a range of informal sessions at Hicks Lodge, designed to generate curiosity, build independence and develop a love for nature.

Come along to Hicks Lodge for:

Two women Nordic walking with poles in the forest

Forestry England have partnered up with Nordic Walking UK to bring you Nordic Walking and WALX activities in the Nations forests!

Pull on your boots and pick up your poles as you enjoy the peace and beauty of the ancient woodland trails.

Look out for Nordic Adventure WALX happening in Salcey Forest as well as regular Wellness WALX for those new to exercise, recovering from injury or with underlying health conditions.

Close-up of two people's walking boots stood on forest ground.
Walking trails and routes

Walking in the woodland is the perfect way to get some fresh air and explore some of the area's most beautiful landscapes.

Broxa has a range of paths that run through the woodland. The Blue Man Walk also passes through the forest connecting Broxa with Langdale.

Sun in the trees
Event
Project starts on 16 April for 8 weeks.
10am to 2pm
Sherwood Pines

Join us for Feel Good in the Forest at Sherwood Pines, a FREE eight-week project to improve your wellbeing!

This brand new project is for anyone who lives with a mental or physical health condition and would like totake part in a range of exciting outdoor activities.

Each week we will be helping you engage with the forest in a new way. We have nature crafts, mindful activities, beginners yoga and so much more planned for you to enjoy.

Two riders in high vis and helmets on horses on a forest path
Horse riding

Horse riders have always enjoyed open access on the Crown Lands of the New Forest, which is well furnished with lots of suitable tracks. Seeing this ancient landscape from the back of a horse is an excellent way to see the forest’s mature woods, shady streams, dappled glades and beautiful open heathland. To reduce damage to the ground please use the gravel tracks if it’s wet and when birds are nesting on the ground (from late March to end of August). 

Boy fishing
Other active things to do

If you enjoy fishing and hold a valid permit then you are welcome to  visit one of our scenic fishing spots. Why not try a different spot every time you fish!

Permits are available for fishing on the Kielder Burn (the confluence with River North Tyne upstream), Lewisburn and River Rede at Cottonshopeburn. Permits can be booked direct from the Fish Tyne website or by calling 01573 470612 during office hours.

Forestry England Log Pile

Cycling is a fantastic way to explore Wareham Forest and soak up the beautiful scenery.

Cycling is available on the forest roads at the site and our family-friendly routes guarantee an enjoyable day out for everyone!

Follow the blue waymarked posts on the ground. Look out for our info board with maps.

This trail has good surfaces and is suitable for most cycling abilities.

A close up of three children sitting on a log, showing legs in waterproof trousers and muddy wellington boots.
Other family activities

Pack your sense of adventure and join Forest Catkins at Nutcombe Bottom for a journey you'll never forget.

Tree Toddlers

From sensory play to nature walks, your tots will giggle, learn, and create unforgettable memories amidst the wonders of nature as the forest transforms into a magical playground to be discovered.

Delamere Forest bike skills loop
Cycling & mountain biking

No traffic to get in your way here – located outside Delamere Forest Bike Hire and Shop, this small area of trail is ideal for practicing and improving your skills.  For people learning to ride, or who have decided to get cycling again, this skills loop is a safe, easy, and traffic-free place to start.

Mountain biking in the wood
Cycling & mountain biking

A 10 mile, single track mountain bike trail beginning from Sandgalls car park in the north of the forest.

Two riders in high vis and helmets on horses on a forest path
Horse riding

Explore the stunning scenery of Hemsted Forest on horseback. Horse riding off-bridleway in Hemsted requires a permit which can be purchased through TROT.

There is a public bridleway and designated (but not waymarked) TROT routes.

Ambassador riding
Cycling & mountain biking

This is a longer mountain bike ride for experts only: a combination of fast flowing single track, technical features, challenging climbs and tricky descents.

You will start in Low Dalby and climb into the forest to go via Adderstone, then to Crosscliff Viewpoint for some amazing views! Eventually, heading back towards the starting point through Dalby Forest Drive and White Cliff Rigg. Lots of MTB-friendly features on the way and fantastic views.

3 wire deer sculptures in a field
Forestry England Arts map

The wire Deer were created as a memorial and commemoration of a cherished colleague.

Richard Gibson, Wolds Wire was commissioned to create a sculpture which would reflect a love of the wildlife and landscape of Dalby Forest. The open wire design of the sculpture give the deer an ethereal quality – much like their real life counterparts, they blend gently into the scenery around them.

Group of people exercising in the forest
Fitness and wellbeing activities
The benefits of fresh air and being active can have a really positive effect no matter what age you are

Tim Playfoot, qualified outdoor fitness specialist who provides bespoke fitness sessions in the beautiful surroundings of Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest.

Two horse riders in high vis and helmets on a forest path
Horse riding

Friston Forest offers some of the best riding in the south of England; with a wealth of trails and connections to the South Downs. Off-bridleway riding is restricted to specific routes and only permitted if you are a TROT member.

Conifer seedlings growing in trays
Article
29 December 2022
Discover the forest lifecycle, how timber is used and what we're doing to protect forests for the future.
Children Westonbirt
Article
13 February 2020
From educational visits for nurseries, schools and colleges, virtual reality teaching experiences and downloadable lesson plans, to augemented reality family trails and unforgettable events – no matter what the age or ability we want to inspire every generation to have a personal connection to the forests.
Trunk of large old oak tree with gnarled bark
Other active things to do

Salcey Forest is an ancient woodland that boasts a rich and colourful history. But did you know it is also home to some of the oldest oak trees in the area? 

These magnificent trees have a fascinating history;

A crafted egg ornament hung from a willow tree
Other family activities

With Spring around the corner and Easter in full swing, what better time of year to visit Dalby Forest with your family. With Gruffalo adventures, dens to be built and scavenger hunts to complete, this is a time to get out and about.

Slow worm

Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or enthusiast amateur it's easy to take part, just start recording wildlife on your next visit...

Download the free iNaturalist app before you visit 

Discover and record wildlife through the app on your forest adventure

Download now on iOS

Download now on Android

Caterpiller

Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or enthusiast amateur it's easy to take part, just start recording wildlife on your next visit...

Download the free iNaturalist app before you visit 

Discover and record wildlife through the app on your forest adventure

Download now on iOS

Download now on Android

chambers farm butterfly

Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or enthusiast amateur it's easy to take part, just start recording wildlife on your next visit...

Download the free iNaturalist app before you visit 

Discover and record wildlife through the app on your forest adventure

Download now on iOS

Download now on Android

Common doremouse on brown leaves

Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or enthusiast amateur it's easy to take part, just start recording wildlife on your next visit...

Download the free iNaturalist app before you visit 

Discover and record wildlife through the app on your forest adventure

Download now on iOS

Download now on Android

Hobby bird sitting in a conifer tree

Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or enthusiast amateur it's easy to take part, just start recording wildlife on your next visit...

Download the free iNaturalist app before you visit 

Discover and record wildlife through the app on your forest adventure

Download now on iOS

Download now on Android

Fair haired woman smiles in the sunlight, with a forest backdrop
Blog
27 August 2020
And just like that, the summer holidays are nearly over and planning for the term ahead is happening in earnest. But this will be a start of term like no other, and no doubt you are experiencing a whole range of emotions as you think about returning to school. As well as lessons to plan, there’s the added dimension of working differently so you can keep yourself and others safe. We’ve put together a few forest-inspired ideas and resources to help you maintain your equilibrium and support your students as they adapt to being back in the classroom.  
Woodland with large trees covered in green leaves
Other family activities

Geocaching is an increasingly popular activity that utilises GPS technology to locate and find hidden objects.

You can join in the world's biggest treasure hunt by signing up to Geocaching.com.

Geocaches are hidden within Wyre Forest so come and enjoy the challenge of searching for them!

Our Shared Forest is a project to reshape and redirect Forestry England's sustainable management of Savernake Forest.

The world, our climate, and our society are changing. They always have. But the pace of change is speeding up, and the impacts on our Forest over the next generation of trees and people will be profound. Together, we have the opportunity to think about what we want the Forest to look like and feel like in 100 years’ time.

Parkrun Volunteers Sherwood Pines

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