Visitor information
Opening hours
The car park, trails and toilets are open every day unless severe weather results in closures. Updates on any unplanned closures will be posted on our website and social media.
We do not allow camping or overnight stays in the forest or any of the car parks in Grizedale Forest.
Weekdays
| Monday | |
|---|---|
| Visitor Centre and Forest Shop | 10am - 5pm |
| Bike Hire | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Cafe | 10am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | |
|---|---|
| Visitor Centre and Forest Shop | 10am - 5pm |
| Bike Hire | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Cafe | 10am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | |
|---|---|
| Visitor Centre and Forest Shop | 10am - 5pm |
| Bike Hire | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Cafe | 10am - 5pm |
| Thursday | |
|---|---|
| Visitor Centre and Forest Shop | 10am - 5pm |
| Bike Hire | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Cafe | 10am - 5pm |
| Friday | |
|---|---|
| Visitor Centre and Forest Shop | 10am - 5pm |
| Bike Hire | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Cafe | 10am - 5pm |
Weekends
| Saturday | |
|---|---|
| Visitor Centre and Forest Shop | 10am - 5pm |
| Bike Hire | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Cafe | 10am - 5pm |
| Sunday | |
|---|---|
| Visitor Centre and Forest Shop | 10am - 5pm |
| Bike Hire | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Cafe | 10am - 5pm |
How to find us
Please note that not all routes to the forest are accessible by coaches. Coaches should approach from the south.
Sat Nav Postcode:
LA22 0QJBy Car
From the north (unsuitable for coaches):
Follow the A591 to Ambleside, leave Ambleside A593 to Langdale Coniston. Take first left B5286 to Hawkshead. Bypass Hawkshead following B5286 south then take first right at the sign for 'Grizedale'. Follow the road for approximately 2 miles.
From the south (unsuitable for coaches, see below)
Exit M6 at junction 36 and take the A590 towards Barrow. Follow A590 past Newby Bridge to Haverthwaite Crossroads. Turn right, following tourist sign to 'Grizedale Forest Park', follow signs for Satterthwaite/Grizedale North.
Coaches to approach from the south:
Exit M6 at junction 36 and take the A590 towards Barrow. Follow A590 past Newby Bridge to Haverthwaite Crossroads. Ignore the tourist sign for 'Grizedale Forest Park' and turn right onto the A595 at Greenodd for approximately 1/2 mile. At Penny Bridge turn right for Colton/Oxen Park.
Follow this road for approx. 8 miles to Grizedale Forest.
OS Grid Ref
54.338834536902, -3.0227733220042
Parking and prices
The car parks are 'pay on exit' systems using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).
The machines accept credit and debit cards or pay online at Park with Ease up to 48 hours after your visit. Cash payments available at the visitor centre during opening hours.
Charges: if you stay for less than 20 minutes, parking is free. Otherwise, the charges below apply. Charges apply to Blue Badge Holders.
Charges
Grizedale main car park and Kennels car park
- Up to 20 minutes: No charge
- First hour: £2.90
- Additional time: £0.70 per 15 minutes
- All day maximum charge: £14
Moor Top, Bogle Crag and Machell's Coppice car parks
- Up to 20 minutes: No charge
- First hour: £2.20
- Additional time: £0.55 per 15 minutes
- All day maximum charge: £14
Visit often? Members park for free. Buy Grizedale Forest membership now for £60 to simply park and go while supporting your favourite forest. Or choose to buy a Forestry England national membership for £8 a month (£96 a year, annual contract applies) and enjoy visiting forests all over the country, including nearby sites like Whinlatter Forest, Dodd Wood and Ennerdale Forest. Membership covers the whole household.
Members: This site has barrierless ANPR. You do not need to display your membership car disc here, your number plate will be recognised. Please visit Manage My Membership if you need to update your vehicle registrations. Only one vehicle is permitted per visit. Free parking for Forestry England national members and Grizedale Forest members only.
Parking Charges
Additional information
Facilities and access
Barbecues and fires are not currently allowed anywhere in the forest.
We do not allow camping or overnight stays in the forest or any of the car parks in Grizedale Forest
Pre-visit access information
Visit our access information page from the link below.
- Accessible toilet
- All-terrain mobility scooter hire
- Assistance dogs welcome
- Baby changing facilities
- Cafe
- Cycle hire
- Dogs allowed
- Easy access trail
- Information point
- Picnic area
- Play Area
- Shop
- Toilets
- Visitor Centre
Contact details
