Feel Good in the National Forest

Across our woodlands in the National Forest, Forestry England offer a variety of activities as part of the Feel Good in the Forest project. These activities are free to take part in and include optional time at the end for refreshments and socialising. You can self-refer to the project or be referred by a support organisation or worker.

Forestry England manage 17 woodlands across Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire within the boundaries of the National Forest. Make sure to check the woodland each activity is in before booking!

Places are booked as a block of free sessions. You must book your space and register in advance to take part in these sessions.

Stride and Stretch at Hicks Lodge Forest Centre

Dates and times

Every Thursday from 19 September to 7 November 2024, 9.30-10.30am.

Activity details

Join Wild Minds on an eight-week programme of accessible exercise for all, designed to build habits and learn routines you can continue at home.

These sessions are delivered by an experienced instructor and can be adapted to suit the needs to those attending. Our walking exercise programme combines walking with stretches, strength and balance work to improve overall fitness. You will be guided safely through this wellness walk.

Booking information

To book, contact Wild Minds by emailing info@wildmindsnature.co.uk or call 07445 209 725

T'ai Ga at Hicks Lodge Forest Centre

Dates and times

Every Wednesday from 4 September to 23 October 2024 at 12noon.

Activity details

Join Wild Minds on an eight-week programme of mindful movement combining the ancient practices of T'ai Chi, Qigong and Yoga. T'ai-Ga incorporates exercises from all disciplines to aid flexibility, strength and balance along with some mindfulness and relaxation.

These sessions are delivered by an experienced instructor and can be adapted to suit the needs to those attending.

Booking information

To book, contact Wild Minds by emailing info@wildmindsnature.co.uk or call 07445 209 725

Feel Good in the Forest Explore and Learn Workshops

Dates and times

Part 1 - Finding your way

20 June 2024 at Hicks Lodge: Understanding maps and where you can go. Suitable for walkers & runners.

4 July 2024 at Hicks Lodge: Planning and following routes using a map. Suitable for walkers & runners.

18 July 2024 at Gresley Woods: Practicing your navigation skills. Suitable for walkers & runners.

Part 2 - Safety

1 August 2024 at Hicks Lodge: Safety on the trails for runners & walkers, including what kit you need and what to do if things don’t go to plan. Suitable for walkers and runners.

Part 3 - Running on the trails

15 August 2024 at Hicks Lodge: Building fitness for the trials & how to train. Suitable for runners.

29 August 2024 at Gresley Woods: Mastering Rough and slippery ground. Suitable for Runners. 

12 September 2024 at Robin Wood: Mastering Hills. Suitable for runners.

Activity details

For walkers and runners. This summer Peak Running are providing a series of free workshops in the National Forest area to help people improve their knowledge and confidence to explore the countryside on foot.

Led by our highly experience team, the series forms part of Forestry England’s Feel Good in the Forest initiative, aimed at helping people looking to improve their health and wellbeing, and enjoy being outdoors.

All sessions will be outdoors and be about 2 hours in duration.

Book onto the full block to make the most of this FREE experience, or choose the sessions which work the best for you.

Booking information

For more information and to book your free places, visit: peakrunning.co.uk/feel-good-in-the-forest

Free as part of the Feel Good in the Forest program across the National Forest

Feel Good in the Forest Guided Walks and Jogs

Dates and times

• 3 June 2024: Poppy Wood & Robin Wood, 7pm- JOG
• 19 June 2024: Bignalls, Jaguar Lount & Alistair’s Woods, 6:30pm- JOG
• 7 July 2024: Sence Valley, 9:30am- WALK
• 20 July 2024: Hicks Lodge, 5pm- JOG
• 6 August 2024: Gresley, Tunnel & Swainspark Woods, 9:30am- WALK
• 17 August 2024: Robin Wood, 1:30pm- WALK
• 4 September 2024: Sence Valley, 6:30pm- JOG
• 15 September: Hicks Lodge, 9:30am- WALK

Activity details

Join us for a dose of #trailtherapy on a relaxed jog or walk in the forest.

Peak Running are providing a series of free activities in the woodlands of the National Forest this summer as part of Forestry England’s Feel Good in the Forest programme.

All aimed at helping people looking to improve their health and wellbeing, meet new people and enjoy being outdoors.

Led by our experienced leaders, they’re suitable for those with little or no prior experience of jogging* or walking in the countryside. With enjoying the surroundings much more important than speed.

*If you’re cable of completing a parkrun (5k) while mostly jogging, you’ll be fine on any of the activities. If you’re not quite there yet, we recommend you join a walk first.

Booking information

For more information and to book your free places, visit: peakrunning.co.uk/feel-good-in-the-forest

Free as part of the Feel Good in the Forest program across the National Forest

Feel Good in the Forest with Little Acorns (forest school and nature connection for adults) at Hicks Lodge Forest Centre

Dates and times

9 July - 30 July - 20 August - 10 September - 1 October - 22 October at 9am (3 hour session)

Activity details

Join Little Acorns for free adult forest school sessions to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit in a beautiful forest setting. Experience Forest School for adults, delivered by qualified leaders. Our enriching outdoor activities promote relaxation, while also providing opportunities to build your self-confidence and social skills within a positive learning environment with like-minded people.

Activities include:

- Learn about woodlands

- Nature reflection 

- Find a tree activity

- Tool time & saw use

- Woodland management tasters

- Fire lighting

- Campfire cooking

To book your free place, please click here.

Progressive Pedalling at Hicks Lodge Forest Centre

Dates and times

11 July - 18 July - 25 July - 1 Aug - 15 Aug - 22 Aug - 29 Aug - 5 Sept - 1.30pm to 2.30pm

Activity details

Cycling is a low impact way to help with your health and wellbeing. So why not come and join the coaches at B-BUDDIES to get some exercise in the fresh air with no traffic and release some of those ' happy hormones'? These free sessions will alternate between one bike ride week and one skills week to mix between stamina building and confidence riding in a group, on cycle routes and elements of on the road, as well as learning new skills, how to use gears correctly and a variety of other activities. 

Don’t have a bike? Don’t worry - as part of the Feel Good in the Forest program, we can provide one free of charge, make sure you let the B Buddies team know as you book.

There’ll also be the opportunity to stay after the session for the all-important coffee, cake and chat at Grounds Café Hicks Lodge to socialise with the other riders of the group to build new friendships.

Booking is essential via email or phone. Find out more.

Free as part of the Feel Good in the Forest program across the National Forest.

Woodcraft for Wellbeing at Sence Valley

Dates and times

Weekly on Wednesdays. From 14 August to 18 September. 10am to 12noon.

Activity details

The course is an outdoor forest based programme where you will spend time enjoying and exploring part of the peaceful Sence Valley, connecting with new people, learning some self-care and mindfulness strategies and getting creative with natural crafts and skills. We will be based under the trees overlooking Horseshoe Lake. Each core session lasts for 2 hours, and we’ve allowed a few minutes extra at the end to chat and relax, so there’s no need to rush off. Participation in any activity offered is optional and there is no pressure to join in if you'd rather just relax. We will have some hammocks to try and a shelter in case of rain.

Light refreshments will be provided but please bring your own cup.

Additional Information

There are only 10 places available so we hope that most people will be present for all 6 sessions. If you would like to take part but have a commitment to other events or holidays for more than one of the sessions, please get in touch to let us know.

We know that sometimes it can be quite daunting to be in a new place meeting new people. Being outdoors helps to reduce some of these pressures and we find that members of our groups are usually quite relaxed by the end of the first session. You are best placed to know what things are likely to stress you and equally, what you find supportive. If there is anything that you would like us to know before the session, please get in touch. We will also be happy to have a call with you beforehand if you would like to talk it through. Please email karen@betteroutdoors.org.uk to arrange a time.

Booking essential - click here