Sence Valley

Visitor information

Opening hours

The car park is open to vehicles:

April to September: 8:00am - 7:00pm

October to March: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Open to pedestrian access at all times.

How to find us

Sence Valley , Ibstock , Leicestershire

Sat Nav Postcode: LE67 6NW

By Car

The main entrance is on the A447.

Ravenstone Road on the outskirts of Ibstock, Lecistershire.

By Public Transport

Local bus routes into Ibstock from surrounding area, Sence Valley is a short walk from bus stops.

OS Grid Ref

SK 404113

Get directions

52.6974859, -1.4048921

Parking and prices

Parking charges apply at Sence Valley.

- £1.50 all day

- Pay by card (the only card payment machine is in the top car park) or by phone only.

By using cashless parking provider RingGo you can pay, park and get on with your day easily. Find out how it works here. Visitors can pay either via the RingGo app, through the RingGo website or via phone by calling the RingGo dedicated phone number.

- 12 months Sence Valley Membership is now available to buy online for £20, this includes 12 months parking and other discounts and benefits.

Thank you for your support. Because of you, we can make our forests even better.

Additional information

Number of accessible parking spaces: 0

Facilities and access

Dogs allowed

Easy access trail

Picnic area

Toilets

Contact details

Landline Number

0300 067 4340

E-Mail Address

info_nationalforest@forestryengland.uk

Sence Valley

Discover Sence Valley’s interesting history, take a leisurely walk or spot some fascinating wildlife

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. In 2018 we bought a further 48 hectares (102 acres) of the original opencast which will be planted as a sustainable forest for the future, part of the centenary celebration.

Explore the mixed forest on our network of trails or test your navigation skills around the wood on our orienteering courses. A bird-spotter’s paradise, 150 bird species have been recorded in the area so make sure to stop by the bird hide and viewing screen to try and spot the rare diving birds or the grebes!

Trail map

At a glance

Alongside our cashless payment system, RingGo, card payments are now accepted at Sence Valley!

30/05/2022 12:00

Get Involved! Don’t forget we have a monthly free wellbeing walk at Sence Valley

24/02/2022 12:00

Enjoy a selection of warm drinks and treats from The Little Bluebird Cafe, at Sence Valley Wednesday to Sunday

13/12/2021 12:04

Things to do

Picnics at Sence Valley

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at Sence Valley. Just bring along good food and company!

There are 3 picnic areas within the grounds near to both car parks and also at a scenic point next to Horseshoe Lake.

To prevent forest fires and reduce waste, please do not bring any barbecues into our forests.

Find out more

Walking at Sence Valley

Explore Sence Valley on its surfaced trails that run throughout the woodland, and around the lakes.

Some informal tracks through the trees are being created with the on-site volunteer group to provide alternative routes around the site, these informal trails are uneven and may be muddy at certain times of year.

Find out more

Cycling at Sence Valley

Grab your helmet and head out for a beautiful cycle ride around Sence Valley!

Sence Valley offers shared access trails for visitors to cycle on.

Find out more

Horse riding at Sence Valley

Explore Sence Valley on horseback! There is a bridleway running through the forest, which links Heather village to the A447 Ravenstone Road at Ibstock.

A permissive horse route extends the bridleway, branching off the public bridleway at the top car park. The permissive route links to the bridleway and provides several viewpoints across the valley.

No permit is needed to ride at Sence Valley.

For a better riding experience, try our neighbouring woodlands including Poppy Wood and Robin Wood, both of which have permissive riding routes and dedicated horse riding facilities.

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

Find out more