Visitor information

Come and explore our wonderful world of trees

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is an award-winning visitor attraction with something for everyone. Open all year, Bedgebury is the perfect place for healthy outdoor activity.

The National Pinetum is home to a world-leading collection of conifers and contains over 12,000 specimen trees. The trees and landscape create a beautiful setting for peaceful walks and picnics in the rolling hills and valleys of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Bedgebury National Pinetum is awe-inspiring for tree lovers looking to learn about tree species of international conservation importance and see them up close!

Bedgebury Forest has miles of trails for family cycling and mountain biking, walking, and running. Enjoy climbing, jumping, sliding and swinging your way around the play trail or explore the canopy on a Go Ape tree top adventure or tree top challenge. Bedgebury Cafe at the Visitor Centre has wonderful views of the pinetum and is set beside one of our many lakes. You may also find Gruffalo and friends hiding in Bedgebury Pinetum!

Plan your visit

Black and white archive photo of a man wearing a flat cap and carrying gardening tools.

Join us in celebrating 100 years of Bedgebury National Pinetum

Since 1925, Bedgebury has been home to one of the world's largest and most complete collection of conifers. Over the past century, it has become a centre for tree conservation, scientific research, and a place that connects people with trees. Discover our history, learn about our founding curator, William Dallimore, and explore a year of events and activities.
Forest event
Tuesday 17 March
10am to 1pm
Meet in the Atrium at the Visitor Centre

Welcome to the Forest is a new community engagement programme at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, created to help more people enjoy the benefits of being outdoors.  

The...

Forest event
Saturday 18 April to Sunday 26 April
Various timings
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest

Join us for a celebration of our members in our Members' Week at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest. 

Book your places from Monday 16 March. Check back here for updates and to

...

Forest event
Selected monthly dates
Various times
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Book your place on a guided walk when bookings open on Monday 16 March. Check back here for updates and to secure your spot. 

Join our knowledgeable staff and expert volunteers for...

Forest event
22 May, 19 June, 6 July 2026
10am to 1pm
Meet in the atrium at the Visitor Centre
“In the stillness of trees, I am home” - Wendell Berry

Since 2018, Lisa Whitehouse has been leading forest yoga and mindfulness sessions in the heart of Bedgebury National Pinetum...

Food and drink

A family sitting next to a lake enjoying tea and cake at Bedgebury Cafe

Bedgebury Cafe

Enjoy delicious, freshly prepared hot and cold food and drinks while enjoying panoramic views of the National Pinetum.

Our cycle trails offer something for everyone, from beginners and families looking for a fun day out, to adrenalin junkies looking for a challenge.

Follow our 9km family cycle trail...

Each week, we offer a diverse programme of fitness and wellbeing activities tailored to suit all budgets, experience levels, and interests.

Whether you're looking to boost your...

Get ready to unleash your inner adventurer at Go Ape Bedgebury, where towering trees and leafy canopies set the stage for an unforgettable Go Ape experience. Nestled in the...

Join Witch and her friends on an enchanting adventure at Bedgebury.

This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and...

Our work

A view across a lake with lilypads, a bridge and scarlet red autumn colour

Our work

Bedgebury National Pinetum is home to the largest conifer collection in the world and is important on a global scale for species conservation, scientific advancement and the understanding of conifers. Open all year round, Bedgebury is awe-inspiring for tree lovers as well as a beautiful setting for peaceful walks, and picnics around the rolling hills, valleys, and lakes.

Our history

A bench surrounded by trees and a view across a valley

Our history

Discover Bedgebury's history and learn about the first curator and world-renowned expert on conifers, William Dallimore who developed the internationally important collection of conifers and stunning vistas we see today. Established in 1925, Bedgebury Pinetum is the result of a partnership between the Forestry Commission and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Family following a map in the forest

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest map

Spend an entire day exploring 350 acres of the National Pinetum, the largest conifer collection in the world and 2200 acres of Bedgebury Forest with miles of family cycling, mountain-biking, walking, and running trails.

Nearby forests

Two ladies enjoying a dog walk at Jeskyns Community Woodland

Jeskyns is home to 360 acres of newly planted woodlands, meadows and orchards. With a good network of surfaced walking trails, children's play areas, café and even a dog activity...

Butchershole at Friston Forest woodland

Friston Forest is within the South Downs National Park between Lulington Heath National Nature Reserve and Seven Sisters Country Park. It is the largest area of recently...

Forest floor covered in bluebells at Abbot's Wood

Located near Polegate, Abbot's Wood is a great place for a stroll at any time of year, with walking trails, a medieval lake, play area, barbecues and picnic tables.

This ancient...

Thin trail running through conifer woodland

With around five miles of hard surface road and great networks of unsurfaced tracks, Hemsted Forest makes for a great day out, whatever the season!

The forest houses a mixture of...

Click here to find out more about membership
Click here to discover volunteer opportunities across England