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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

Bedgebury National Pinetum - Marshal's lake autumn colour

Conifers at Bedgebury National Pinetum

Our special tree collection includes conifers from around the world and is breathtaking in its size and grandeur. Bedgebury is important on a global scale for species conservation, scientific advancement and the understanding of conifers. Find our more about Bedgebury National Pinetum and search our living library of trees using the interactive Pinetum Explorer map.

What's on

A family holding hands looking at the colourful trees
Forest event
Friday 15 November 2024 - Wednesday 1 January 2025 - Selected evenings
Time slots vary by date

A magical trail with new lights for 2024 – an after-dark stroll through our world-leading collection of conifers.

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is a place to make new...

Forest event
First Thursday of every month
11am to 12.30pm
Meet in the atrium at the Visitor Centre

Join a monthly guided walk with our knowledgeable staff and expert volunteers as they guide you around Bedgebury National Pinetum. 

Together, you'll discover the seasonal highlights...

Forest event
Sunday 2 February
Race starts 8.30am

Bedgebury Forest Junior 2k Race is managed by Nice Work, and takes place at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest.  

Medals are given to all runners, and there will be prizes for...

Forest event
Sunday 2 February
Race starts at 9am
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest

Join Nice Work for our popular annual Bedgebury Forest 10 and 5 mile race taking place at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest. 

This is a stunning race taking you under the canopy...

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 Bedgebury hosts a range of different fitness and wellbeing activities.

Relaxing and rejuvenating sessions give beginners a helping hand and offer guidance and coaching for...

Bond with your pooch by taking on dog-tastic challenges together, solve crossword clues and have lots of fun along the way – with everyone’s favourite dog and owner duo for company...

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...

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.

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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...

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