The nation's forests are for all to enjoy
This page offers information to help you plan a stress-free visit to Whinlatter Forest.
Essentials
Toilets
There is one accessible toilet at Whinlatter Forest, located in the visitor centre. The door is 870mm wide and is not power assisted. A key is not required.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left and right. There is 900mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1200mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 440mm high.
Additionally there are six ladies' cubicles and two mens' cubicles, plus urinals.
Changing Places
There are no Changing Places facilities at Whinlatter Forest.
Needing help
Our friendly staff are first-aid trained. The Visitor Services team can be found in the visitor centre, 10am-4pm in the winter and 10am-5pm in the summer. The Ranger team can be found in the Rangers’ Office, at the back of the visitor centre, 8.30am-5.30pm.
Arriving at the forest
There are five car parks at Whinlatter. The main one is located at the visitor centre.
Bus route 77/77A between Keswick and Whinlatter operates during the summer months. Check the Stagecoach website for dates and times. The bus stop is in the visitor centre car park.
Car parking
There are four accessible parking bays in the main car park at Whinlatter Forest. There is a 50m sloped path from here to the visitor centre building. For those with very limited mobility it is possible to drop off at the rear of the building - please call 01768 778469 for more information.
Parking is not free. An ANPR pay-on-exit system is in place and payment must be made at one of the machines in the car park. Parking charges apply to blue badge holders. There is an option to pay inside the visitor centre or pay online up to 48 hours after visiting at parkwithease.co.uk.
Visitor centre and cafe
The visitor centre at Whinlatter Forest is approximately 50m from the edge of the car park, via a sloped path. The path has a tarmac surface and is at least 1.5m wide, with no steps or ramps.
The doors to the visitor centre are 930mm wide and are not power assisted. They open both inwards and outwards. Seating is available inside.
There is also a cafe at Whinlatter Forest, operated by a third party, which offers accessible seating.
Getting out into the forest
All-terrain mobility scooters are available for hire at Whinlatter Forest and must be booked in advance through the Outdoor Mobility website before visiting.
Find out more information on the scooter hire page for Whinlatter.
Seating and shelter
Benches and seating are available across Whinlatter Forest. Other than the visitor centre and cafe, there is no sheltered seating.
Folding cane stools are also available to borrow free-of-charge from the visitor centre.
Trails and activities
The Wow trail is suitable for some all-terrain mobility scooters. The Wow trail is four miles long and follows surfaced paths with a maximum gradient of 1 in 7 and a minimum width of 2m. There are no stiles, steps or gates but there are some gradual and steeper slopes.
Many of our other walking and cycling trails are suitable for a range of abilities. Visit our Things to Do page for inspiration.