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a man and a woman with two children enjoying a picnic in the woodlands
Picnics and barbecues

Enjoy a tasty treat at one of our beautiful picnic areas, just bring along good food and company!

Various picnic benches can be found around the main car park, and at the Elephant...

A individual sitting on a picnic table within bluebells
Picnics and barbecues

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at one of our beautiful picnic areas, just bring along good food and company!

There are picnic benches sited all around the Visitor Centre and at...

A young family sat on a wooden bench having a picnic in the forest
Picnics and barbecues

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at one of our beautiful picnic areas, just bring along good food and company!

There are picnic benches amongst the trees or you can picnic on the...

Group at picnic table
Picnics and barbecues

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at one of our beautiful picnic areas, just bring along good food and company!

There is a seating area in the courtyard of the visitor centre and...

A woman with a baby and small child enjoying lunch at a picnic table in a forest
Picnics and barbecues

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at one of our beautiful picnic areas, just bring along good food and company!

There are picnic benches amongst the trees or you can picnic on the...

A digital illustration of the Gruffalo standing in the forest with bunting strung above him.
Event
Monday 29th July
All day
Beechenhurst
Gruffalo Fun Day

Come along to meet the Gruffalo himself at our fun day! 

The Gruffalo will be appearing at various time throughout the day and there will lots of Gruffalo themed...

Legs of four runners wearing pink trainers
Event
Every Saturday morning
Starts 9am
Dalby Forest

What is Dalby Forest parkrun?

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! See Course page for more details.

What

...

Two parents and two children sit on a tartan blanket having a picnic in a grassed area

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at one of our beautiful picnic areas, just bring along good food and company! The main picnic area is a short walk from the car park, where there...

Woman walking through the forest towards sunbeams
Wellbeing trails

Spending time amongst the trees and really noticing nature is scientifically proven to boost our mental and physical health. Follow the trail to take a mindful walk through the...

A individual sitting on a picnic table within bluebells
Picnics and barbecues

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at one of our beautiful picnic areas, just bring along good food and company! 

There are picnic tables and benches located along the WildPlay...

Large pond surrounded by tall trees on a sunny day

Once an aristocrat's dream, Dimmingsdale is now a delight for everyone.

Come and stroll down magnificent drives built by the Earl of Shrewsbury, where fine carriages once rode. The...

Front of Whinlatter visitor centre and information point
Event
9 December 2023
Start 7pm
Whinlatter Forest

A series of folk music sessions with a difference - set in the glorious surroundings of the forest, showcasing local artists and with opportunities to join in yourself. The...

A individual sitting on a picnic table within bluebells
Picnics and barbecues

BBQs are not permitted at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest. Our bookable BBQs are closed. Please do not use your own disposable BBQ.

This is to help prevent forest fires. 

En...

A view across the visitor centre and lake at Bedgebury Pinetum in Summer
Article
07 September 2021

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest guide to visiting including dog code, scooters and cycling, photography and by-laws

DO NOT USE Ramblers wellbeing walks Bedgebury Pinetum
Event
Monday 15 April
10am to 11.30am
Hicks Lodge

Join Wild Minds for a free mood boosting walk for wellbeing. Get your walking boots on and head out for a good stretch of the legs and a chat with other like minded people. Take in...

Adults and children sit on a large log having a picnic
Picnics and barbecues

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest, just bring along good food and company! Spread your picnic blanket in your favourite spot or grab one of our picnic tables. Picnic areas can be...

Group of four smiling people walking in an autumnal wood
Event
28 February, 19 March, 15 April
9am (28 February), 19 March (9.30am), 15 April (10am)
Hicks Lodge

Join Wild Minds for a mood boosting walk for wellbeing. Get your walking boots on and head out for a good stretch of the legs and a chat with other like minded people. Take in the...

Family holding up carved pumpkins
Event
Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 October
45 minute sessions
Beechenhurst
Join us at Beechenhurst this October half term for Halloween pumpkin carving.

Pumpkins and carving kits will be provided, all you need to bring is your imagination. We want to...

Someone flying a kite in a open field at Gisburn
Picnics and barbecues

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at one of our beautiful picnic areas, just bring along good food and company!

We have picnic tables available at Cocklet Hill and The Hub car...

Speech House Woods

Visit Speech House Woodland, which is situated close to the most famous building in the Forest of Dean - The Speech House. 

The Speech House was built in 1676 by the King as a...

parkrun

parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in. Junior parkruns are 2km and are aimed at...

An image collage of forest views and groups of people on various cycling bikes
Other active things to do

Fantastic Riding for Everybody

Start your biking adventure at Dalby Forest Cycle Hub, your gateway to North Yorkshire's premier mountain biking destination.  Located at the...

We’ve answered some of the common questions we have been asked about the project so far and will continue to update and add to the questions as the project progresses. If you have...

Family walking on a woodland trail
Walking trails and routes

Walk among mature trees, to shade or shelter under depending on the weather, and Blakemere Moss, a lake ideal for bird watchers.   

Orienteering compass on tree
Orienteering

Why not try your hand at orienteering, a map reading challenge for all levels.

The aim for everyone is to navigate between control points marked on an orienteering map. If you are...

Group dog walking
Walking trails and routes

A nice walk that takes in some of the nicest parts of Delamere, without venturing too far. The trail passes the Gruffalo sculpture and along part of Blakemore Moss

A group of 4 adults and a dog, walking on a forest trail
Event
21 March, 25 April and 23 May
Cannock Chase Forest

Would you like to know more about how Forestry England manages Cannock Chase Forest, for wildlife, as a sustainable source of UK grown timber and for people to enjoy as a place for...

A woman smiles at a willow sculpture in a white jumper who is weaving willow.
Event
Sat 06 Jul, Sat 14 Sep, Sat 12 Oct, Fri 22 Nov, Sat 14 Dec
10:00am - 4:00pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Spend a relaxing day crafting and weaving in a small group of like minded people - absolute beginners are very welcome and all the materials will be provided. Design and build a...

A collage of a bright bowl with leaves cascading off the page
Event
Sat 26 Oct
10am - 4pm
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Join local mixed media artist Gemma Pitman for a nature inspired creative workshop.

We will start the session sketching simple nature shapes as we explore the arboretum from our...

A winter sunrise in the New Forest
Event
3 December
11am
High Lodge

Fun Run

Whether you’re up for the challenge of 5k, or you’d prefer a shorter distance of 2.5k, support The Big C by running or walking through the forest here at High Lodge...

Close-up of two people's walking boots stood on forest ground.
Walking trails and routes

With views of the lakes and mountains, the shelter of the trees and sculptures in the forest, there's a walk to enjoy for everyone here at Grizedale, no matter your experience or...

A wooden boardwalk stretches over the water at Cannop Ponds. Blue sky with white fluffy clouds.

Cannop Ponds are two reservoirs within the Forest of Dean, originally created in 1820s to supply a waterwheel at Parkend Ironworks.

Today, they are used for fishing by the Yorkley...