The nation's forests are for all to enjoy
This page offers information to help you plan a stress-free visit to Grizedale.
Essentials
Toilets
There are two accessible toilets at Grizedale. One is located in the toilet block at the top of the car park. This accessible toilet has a hoist. The other accessible toilet is located in the courtyard next to the visitor centre and cafe. Keys are not needed to access these toilets.
Additionally there are 15 ladies toilets and four men's toilets, plus urinals.
Changing Places
There are no Changing Places facilities at Grizedale.
Needing help
Our friendly Forestry England team can be contacted at the Visitor Information point, which is open 10am-4pm in the winter and 10am-5pm in the summer. All staff are first-aid trained and some have received disability awareness training.
Arriving at the forest
Grizedale is a large forest and has nine car parks. The main Grizedale Forest car park is located at the visitor centre. There is a road crossing between this car park and the visitor centre. This has bollards on either side. They are 800mm apart.
Grizedale is not served by public transport.
Car parking
The accessible parking bays are located in the main Grizedale Forest car park, closest to the visitor centre entrance.
Parking is not free. An ANPR pay-on-exit system is in operation, using Park with Ease machines. Parking charges apply to blue badge holders. There are three car park machines at the top of the main car park, 50 metres from the accessible parking bays. There is an option to pay inside the Visitor Information point or pay online up to 48 hours after visiting at parkwithease.co.uk.
Visitor centre and cafe
From the car park to the visitor centre buildings there is a path 150m long, which includes a road crossing. It has a gentle slope and there are no ramps. The path is at least 900mm wide.
The doors to the visitor centre are manual and open outwards.
Seating is available in the exhibition and gallery area. Seating is also available in the cafe.
Getting out into the forest
All-terrain mobility scooters are available to hire from the visitor centre at Grizedale and must be booked in advance through Outdoor Mobility. For more information on booking a scooter please visit our scooter hire and trail page.
The Ridding Wood trail at Grizedale is suitable for some wheelchairs and all-terrain scooters. It starts by the Yan building, adjacent to the main car park toilet block.
Seating and shelter
Benches and seating is available across Grizedale. There is a sheltered bench on the Ridding Wood trail.
Trails and activities
Many of our walking and cycling trails are suitable for a range of abilities. Visit our Things to Do page for inspiration.