At Forestry England we're committed to making changes at forests across the country that improve their accessibility and inclusivity. From working with communities local to our forests, we now better understand the range of barriers and are delivering a programme of improvements to address these. From Changing Places toilets to accessible trails, benches and play offers, discover the latest upgrades below.
Changing Places toilet facilities
A Changing Place toilet provides the space and facilities needed by people with multiple and complex disabilities who need the support of at least one assistant. Amongst other things, these toilets include a ceiling hoist system and a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench.
By providing Changing Places toilets, we're opening up our forests to visitors who may not previously have been able to visit due to their needs, giving them a safe and dignified toilet space.
Changing Places are now installed at eight of our forests, with another three due to be installed by the end of 2024 - at which point we will have more than doubled the number of Changing Places toilets in the nation’s forests.
All-terrain mobility scooters
There are a number of reasons why visitors may not be able to explore forests and woodlands on foot. For these visitors, using an all-terrain mobility scooter (such as a Tramper) allows them to navigate the different surfaces and terrains of the nation’s forests with ease, either by themselves or as part of a mixed-ability group.
We’ve added new all-terrain mobility scooters to a number of forests, including Delamere Forest (Cheshire), Thames Chase (Essex), Alice Holt Forest (Surrey) and High Lodge (Suffolk), allowing more visitors the chance to experience the benefits of time spent in the forest. With more still to be delivered, by the end of 2024 these scooters will soon be available to hire at 19 different forests.
Inclusive play areas
Providing play opportunities suitable for a range of needs and sensitivities is an important part of providing accessible visits to our forests.
Designed to help everyone feel welcome and included, our inclusive play options can include natural materials, quiet zones, adapted and multi-height equipment and sensory features. New inclusive play areas are being installed at Fineshade Wood (Northamptonshire), Thames Chase (Essex) and Hicks Lodge (Leicestershire).
Pedal and Play trails
Our Pedal and Play trails were created especially to help cyclists aged 3-11 years old gain skills and confidence in off-road cycling.
New trails and skills hubs are being installed at High Lodge (Suffolk) and Hicks Lodge (Leicestershire). Non-standard cycles were considered in the design for these new trails, to make sure they can be used by people with additional access needs.
Resting areas and shelters have also been incorporated so that whole family groups can visit together – including those needing to rest or shelter from the elements whilst watching others play.
Accessible paths and trails
Widening and levelling uneven paths, removing physical barriers and obstacles and providing new trails have been a key part of opening up our forests to more visitors.
New trails that are suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility scooters are being completed at forests across the country, from Chopwell Wood in Tyne and Wear to Abbeyford Woods in Devon.
A new, fully accessible footbridge was installed at Pages Wood, close to London, in July 2023. The previous bridge was narrow and in poor condition, making it difficult and unsafe for people to visit on foot. The new bridge has increased the connection of local people to their woodland, with over 11,000 people now using it each month.
Accessible benches and seating
Accessible benches and perches have been trialled at Haldon Forest Park in Devon and will now be rolled out at forests across the country. These provide seating at a mix of different heights for people of different statures, have handles to allow users to push up and out of their seats more easily, alongside having preferable back rest and seat angles.
Many of these bench options enable uses to transfer from wheelchairs or mobility scooters if they wish to do so. Accessible picnic benches will also start appearing in forests from autumn 2024.
