The nation's forests are for all to enjoy
We strive to remove barriers, creating inclusive areas for play, exercise and socialising while making sure parking and facilities are worry free for your visit.
To help you plan your visit, this page offers helpful information on accessibility at the nation's forests.
Hire an all-terrain mobility scooter
All-terrain mobility scooters (for example Trampers) are easy to use and are designed to tackle a range of surfaces and gradients in all kinds of weather. You do not have to be registered disabled to hire one.
Many of the nation's forests offer the hire of mobility scooters, enabling visitors with limited mobility to enjoy a day out in the forest. Visit our mobility scooter page to see a video of what to expect and search the map for hire in a forest near you.
Enjoy an easy access trail
Our easy access trails have easy terrain and no physical barriers, so are suitable for wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Many of the nation's forests have easy access trails. Search the map to find an easy access trail near you.
Inclusive play areas
There is a wide range of play opportunities and experiences on offer for all abilities including natural play, quiet zones and sensory features or equipment that allows those with a disability to play alongside others who may not. These areas have been created to help all children feel welcome and included.
Search our play areas map for the different types of play areas in the nation's forests.
Most forests have quieter times to visit, outside of school holidays and later in the afternoon
Changing places
A Changing Places facility is designed to be completely accessible and provides additional space for ease of manoeuvrability compared with a standard accessible toilet.
Specialist equipment is included: a hoist; adult changing table; privacy screen and well-spaced toilet (away from the walls) with hand washing facilities. A shower may also be included. They are accessed with a RADAR key in most cases. (Please check your local forest webpage for information on potential restricted hours).
Inclusive cycling
We have lots of ways to enjoy cycling in the forest and we’re working on improving the accessibility of our cycling offer.
Alice Holt Forest offers a range of adapted cycles to hire to suit all abilities, including tricycles, tandems, hand-powered trikes, wheelchair transferable bikes, a wheelchair carrier and side-by-side tandems. Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire also have a range of adaptive bikes to hire at their Dalby Forest Cycle Hub.
Pedal and Play has been designed to ensure a range of needs are catered for regardless of age, mobility or current cycling skills. Children can enjoy Pedal and Play at Cannock Chase Forest, near Stafford, and coming soon to two additional forests.
The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre has a green-graded accessible bike trail which is suitable for a wide range of cycles with 2, 3 or 4 wheels, adaptive cycles and tag-a-longs. Accessible bike hire is also available on-site, with adapted bikes available for all riders with a range of disabilities.
Sensory walks
We’ve teamed up with Sense, a national charity supporting everyone who is deafblind or has complex disabilities, to create and map new Sensory Walk routes in our forests. Let the sounds, sights and smells of the forest reduce your stress, stimulate your senses and spark your imagination.
Each route is an accessible walk and we’ve worked with Sense to highlight key sensory points along the way for you to enjoy.
Find accessible visit information at your forest
Every forest web page has information on the facilities available at the top of the page in the 'facilities & access' tab. Accessible parking information will be in the 'parking' tab. Find your forest to see what's available.
To understand some of the terms used, see the list of accessibility terms below.
A list of the terms you may see and what they mean
Accessible toilet
An accessible, individual public toilet with space for wheelchair transfer and equipment suitable for disabled users. Doors open outwards and, in some locations, these are power assisted. These toilets are often accessed by a RADAR key, and some may have baby change facilities, all include an emergency assistance alarm.
Accessible parking places
Wider accessible parking bays, usually less than 50 meters away from the visitor facilities, specifically signed and allocated for those with disabilities. Please note that users should display their blue badge in these spaces but are still required to pay for parking in this car park (where applicable).
Accessible benches
Seating designed to cater for a range of needs including different seat heights and seats at the end of the bench designed to allow transfer from a wheelchair or mobility scooter if so desired. Our perches now have arm rests to provide assistance when moving back into an upright standing position.
Accessible picnic tables
Picnic tables which are designed with a long overhang at both ends to allow wheelchair users to access the tables comfortably.
Portable seating
These are portable walking sticks incorporating a fold out seat. Take a rest wherever and whenever you need.
