Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is open from 8am every day except Christmas Day. The National Pinetum comprises of a world-renowned tree collection with over 12000 specimen trees. The forest is home to a children’s play trail, Go Ape high ropes courses, many miles of family cycling and mountain bike trails and waymarked running routes.
There's no need to book in advance to visit; except for a Go Ape experience or one of our special events. Closing times change with the seasons and range from 3.30pm during special events, 5pm during winter and 8pm in summer.
Please check our website before you travel or look at the closing time signage on arrival.
Walking, running and climbing trees
Whether you're planning a short walk or a longer hike, off-road running or a day out for the family there's plenty of ways to get active at Bedgebury.
Waymarked walking and running routes cover both the National Pinetum and the forest. Download a map from our walking, running and play trails website pages, or visit the information point to pick up a leaflet.
The National Pinetum includes rare and endangered tree species, we kindly ask you not to climb on any tree except fallen ones or logs. Children can enjoy climbing walls, giant ropes and high slides on our Play Trail, located close to the boundary of the pinetum. Or why not book a high ropes experience at Go Ape to see the trees from the canopy!
Cycling in Bedgebury Forest
Bedgebury Forest has miles of cycling trails, including singletrack for mountain bikes. Bedgebury National Pinetum is a special tree collection and we ask that you do not cycle in this area including the play areas, or around the visitor centre and car park.
Children may ride bikes and scooters in the National Pinetum, as long as the bike/scooter measures 70cm or less from the ground to the top of the handle bars. Parents and guardians should ensure that children ride carefully throughout the pinetum and keep distance from other visitors.
Please take care with electric bikes and scooters and do not cycle them in the National Pinetum, around the visitor centre, and in the play areas.
Food and drink
Bedgebury cafe offers refreshments daily from 8:30am at the visitor centre and there's no need to book ahead.
The cafe serves a wide range of tasty hot and cold locally sourced food, delicious cakes and freshly baked pastries, as well as a range of hot and cold refreshments. Bedgebury cafe caters for a wide range of dietary requirements. Just chat to a member of the team.
At weekends and during busier days Bedgebury Kiosk is open next to Go Ape for grab and go snacks, drinks and ice creams. You're welcome to bring picnics but please consider supporting Bedgebury by supplementing these with something from the cafe. Take all litter home or use the bins located around the visitor centre.
Keep it clean
Pests and diseases pose a threat to our internationally significant tree collection at Bedgebury. They can spread rapidly and have a devastating impact on our landscapes. Biosecurity is the set of precautions we take to stop the spread in our forests. We're protecting woodlands and keeping our trees healthy, but we need your help.
Think about bikes, boots and buggies when you visit, and watch this short video for biosecurity tips.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest! Please keep them on a lead when you are in the car park, the National Pinetum and the play areas.
Well behaved dogs are allowed inside the Information point and atrium. The cafe remains dog-free.
Dogs can be taken off the lead in the wider forest but please be mindful of other visitors and take extra care near our bike trails. Dogs aren't allowed on the singletrack mountain bike trails.
Bins are only located around the visitor centre. To reduce waste on site we encourage all visitors to take their litter home.
