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A group of people wearing active wear are walking on a path through the forest
Other active things to do

Chopwell Wood offers a variety of activities as part of the Feel Good in the Forest project. They are free to take part in and include optional time at the end for refreshments and...

A family walking on a wide forest trail. The couple are swinging their daughter in the air.

Haldon Forest Park's most popular trail is ideal for walkers, beginner cyclists of all ages, and novice runners. The Discovery trail is home to our family activity trail and is...

A track through the forest
Walking trails and routes

Enjoy a wonderful circular walk through the woods. From the Reptile Centre car park, follow red marker posts along the main gravelled track, which is fairly smooth. You can also...

Horse rider in orange high vis slowly trotting past a walker in the forest
Horse riding

Starting at the Grove Car Park, the trail has good views over the Bedburn valley and passes through a variety of woodlands and more open spaces on wide forest roads.

 

Large stained glass window hanging from the trees

Founded in 1986, the sculpture trail is a partnership between Forestry England and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust.

Some of the sculptures are temporary, while others will last...

Photo of the children's play area at Salcey Forest
Play areas

Scramble, slide and swing your way around our play area. Or why not try your hand in our Forest Cafe play kitchen? And if you are feeling brave you can develop your balancing

...

A family of four cycling on forest trail
Cycling & mountain biking

Named after the river Tang, this gentle ride through the woods is great for families. There is also a shortcut along the route.

Four young children smiling as they look at an activity sheet around a tree stump
The Gruffalo Party Trails

The Gruffalo is turning 25! To celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party...

Two children in forest, one in coat and wellies is running over a dirt mound
Event
16 December - 1 January 2024
9.30am - 3pm
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
Where is everyone? 

All appears to be quiet among the trees. Robin has been busy practising his singing, but he hasn’t seen anyone to share his Christmas cheer with. 

Follow...

boy interacting with a Gruffalo activity panel
The Gruffalo Party Trails

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday this year and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family...

Open landscape at Bellever Forest
Walking trails and routes

This challenging trail is the only way to reach the remains of Devon's only gunpowder factory: Powdermills. Find out why it was built, who worked there, and how gunpowder was made...

A couple walking along a surfaced forest trail

A short, surfaced path leads from the car park to the East Dart riverbank, a perfect spot for scenic picnicking.

For a longer Tramper-friendly route, try the Cycle and Tramper...

Young boy wearing Gruffalo crown, with his thumbs up
The Gruffalo Party Trails

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a fun forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all...

Horse riders on a woodland trail
Horse riding

This horse riding trail starts from the Grove Car park and explores the more remote parts of the forest passing through plantation and moor land and offering spectacular views.

 

Cyclists riding through the forest on a dirt track
Cycling & mountain biking

Our longer family cycling route F.I.D.O. is named after the WWII 'Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation' which allowed 4200 Allied aircraft to make emergency landings at...

A digital illustration of the Gruffalo standing in the forest with bunting strung above him.
The Gruffalo Party Trails

2024 is The Gruffalo’s 25th birthday year and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all...

children on the play trail at Hamsterley Forest
Play areas

Set along a pushchair friendly path straddling both sides of the bubbling Bedburn Beck.

The trail presents a bucketful of opportunities for kids to play in mature woodland and in...

Panoramic view across Bellever Tor to surrounding Dartmoor
Walking trails and routes

Take in the unforgettable view from Bellever Tor at the end of this scenic route. Meander through the forest past hut circles and grazing ponies before striking out up to the tor.

...

A group of Nordic walkers walking through a young conifer plantation
Walking trails and routes

Explore the wide variety of forest environments at Haldon and get to know the history of the Haldon Hills with our information panels dotted along the way. Don't miss the turn-off...

A ranger walking through historic site at Bellever
Walking trails and routes

Immerse yourself in the rich archaeology of Bellever Forest including the Kraps Ring Bronze Age enclosure.

For the full family experience, pop over the road to the Dartmoor...

3 women wear gym gear and pose with legs wide open, bent over to the side, with one arm up and one arm reaching down towards their toes. They stand in front of a forest background with dappled light shining through
Fitness and wellbeing activities

Join us at 9:30am every Sunday this summer for free, expert-led yoga among the forest trees, in partnership with Park Yoga.

Take some time for you this summer. Relax, re-energise...

Child on bike looking at Gruffalo's Child Hamsterley Forest

Wheelchair and pushchair friendly walking trail along the banks of Bedburn beck.

Discover the Gruffalo sculptures along the way as you explore!.

Nymph Guardian (Clover) Susie Green Queen Green (2021) Woodend Gallery Scarborough. Watercolour with silver metallic on Arches cotton paper. (Detail)
Event
This event ran from April - June 2022
Dalby Forest

Queen Green was an exhibition of new work by artist Susie Green that was inspired by her residency at Dalby Forest in the North York Moors. The exhibition celebrated erotic...

Two mountain bike riders on a singletrack forest trail
Cycling & mountain biking

Kiddens is one of two blue-graded cycle trails. Kiddens is a a good progression from Spicers, offering more challenging terrain with greater changes in gradient.

Helmets must always...

disc golf at high lodge

Disc golf is a great way to spend time in the forest with friends and family. 

Whether you’re looking to try something new or have played before, we’ve got everything you need to...

Family walking on a woodland trail

This is a pleasant stroll thorough the grounds of Kielder Castle and the adjacent woodland. The first half mile of the Duke’s Trail, with slight inclines and fine graded stone and...

Two cyclists on a flat cycle trail in a conifer forest
Cycling & mountain biking

Spicers is one of two blue-graded cycle trails. Spicers is a great confidence builder for off-road cycling skills for those who have mastered the basics. Spicers introduces a...

Giant Gruffalo Sculpture in the Forest
Gruffalo sculptures

If you venture into the deep dark wood you may bump into the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's Child plus other characters from Julia Donaldson's fantastic story. 

Each wooden sculpture...

Trail through the woods
Walking trails and routes

A 1.5 mile trail taking in the Haye Park Wood area of the forest starting from Black Pool Car Park.

Along the trail, discover archaeological features including quarries, charcoal...

A lady running in Salcey Forest
Running

This route is all on flat, fine stoned, forest roads. You will begin along the same forest road as the shorter routes and then head to the outskirts of the forest where you might...

Campervans parked up in a car park

Stay overnight for just £12!

We are happy to welcome campervans to stay overnight in our castle car park - there's nowhere quite like England's largest forest for a truly...

Waymarker on post next to a walking trail
Walking trails and routes

Starting at the Vinnalls Car Park, this trail ascends to the summit of the High Vinnalls giving panoramic views in all directions. It then passes through a variety of timber crops...