Drystone Walks
1, Main Street, Horsley Woodhouse, Derby, Derbyshire, DE7 6AU
Tel: 01332 781106
Self-guided walking breaks in The National Forest and Peak District. Welcoming accommodation arranged, comprehensive walk pack provided. Lovely country walking at your own pace. See website or contact for details.
Funky Monkey Rustic Carpentry
Coalville, Leicestershire
Tel: 07828 772499
"The village carpenter" based near Beacon Hill Country Park. Specialising in traditional woodland crafts and courses, green woodworking, green oak and round pole timber framing techniques, traditional tool use and bush craft. School groups, corporate events and parties of all ages welcome.
Greenwood Days
Ferrers Centre, c/o Ferrers Centre, Staunton Harold, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 1RU
Tel: 01332 864529
Traditional crafts courses in an idyllic woodland setting. Courses for all ages and abilities lasting 1-10 days include chair making, willow basketry and sculpture, longbow making, coracles and more.
The Conservation Volunteers in The National Forest
(Accom) Rosliston Forestry Centre, Burton Road, Rosliston, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE12 8JX
Tel: 0116 2553515
Make a positive impact on The National Forest with The Conservation Volunteers by getting involved with our regular conservation volunteering events, conservation holidays, support for the local community and training courses. Contact or view website for more information.
Loads to See & Do
From peaceful woodland walks, gentle cycling and fun-packed activities to historic houses, hands-on visitor centres and sparkling lakes, there are masses of attractions to pack into your visit!
Visit brilliant attractions including Calke Abbey, Twycross Zoo, Conkers, Snibston, National Memorial Arboretum, Bradgate Park, Ashby de la Zouch Castle, Swadlincote Ski & Snowboard Centre, National Forest Adventure Farm, National Brewery Centre, Rosliston Forestry Centre and loads more!
Try the cycle trails at Hicks Lodge: National Forest Cycle Centre or the Conkers Circuit.
Walking
Walk among a sea of snowdrops in February, a blanket of bluebells in May or through the Forest's fiery displays of reds and golds in Autumn.
Download fantastic walks across the three counties of the Forest - Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
Short walks
Walks up to 5 miles.
Medium walks
Walks from 5 to 10 miles.
Long walks
Walks over 10 miles.
Access for all
Specifically designed sites and attractions that are suitable for all abilities.
They include details of path surfaces and gradients; toilets and other facilities; inc. parking for the disabled.
Further reading:
Cycling
Cycling sites
There are many Forest sites suitable for cycling.
Cycle hire
Hiring a bike couldn't be easier.
Cycle clubs
Contact our local cycling and triathlon clubs.
Cycle Routes
Find out more on Cycle Routes
Explore The National Forest on one of the cycle routes, the cycle trails at Hicks Lodge: National Forest Cycle Centre or the Conkers Circuit at the heart of The National Forest.
Forest Experiences
Survival skills and woodland crafts
The National Forest is one of the few places that you can have a go at ancient woodland crafts with Greenwood Days. Try pole lathe turning, willow weaving or making coracles, which date back thousands of years.
Our three survival schools show you how to make fire using flint or just wood, how to build shelters and identify plants and trees essential for survival in woodland. Find out more details and course dates for Woodland Ways, Survival School and Woodland Survival Skills
You can combine survival skills with Forest Four Wheel Drive on the new Voyager Course to learn the basics of expedition survival and driving.
Fishing
Fishing is becoming an ever-more popular pastime in The National Forest with ever-more fishing lakes set within the growing woodland.
Both beginners and experienced anglers can hone their fly-fishing skills at Foremark Fishing Lodge, with expert tuition, day permits and top fly patterns all part of the package.
Make time to stop for a bite to eat at Shortheath Water and Beehive Farm Fishing Lakes, which have excellent tearooms on site!
Health Resorts
It doesn't have to be all-go on your break in The National Forest. Treat yourself to a bit of 'me-time' at one of our three luxurious health spas. You can be pampered and feel the stresses of daily life simply ebb away. Bliss!
Try a hot stones massage, work out at the gym or just enjoy the warmth of a sauna at Champneys Springs, Eden Day Spa at Hoar Cross Hall and Reeds Health Club and Spa within Best Western Premier Yew Lodge Hotel. Go on... you are worth it!
Horse Riding
With quiet country lanes linking to sites where horse-riding is permitted, the rolling landscape of The National Forest is perfect to explore on horseback. Click through to the sites highlighted on the map to find out about riding routes and permit requirements or download the document below for information on horse riding facilities, such as suppliers and stables in The National Forest.
The British Horse Society has an Equine Mapping and Geographical Information Network – EMAGIN. This displays the National Bridle route Network for the whole of Britain and Ireland which benefits not only equestrians but also walkers and cyclists.
Water Sports
There are several pretty reservoirs across the area, which have playgrounds, open spaces for picnics and lovely woodland walks. Foremark and Staunton Harold reservoirs, also offer sailing and windsurfing. Fishing is also an ever-more popular pastime in the National Forest.
Attractions
There is truly so much to do in the area
with interactive visitor centres and brilliant family attractions.
Journey through the past in our historic houses with their gorgeous gardens. Absorb the atmosphere in haunted
castles, ancient priories and impressive churches or discover the workings of a bygone age through the area's rich industrial heritage.
Or savour drift-away-days on a canal boating break, explore the wonderful woodlands and spot the wealth of wildlife here.
Brilliant attractions in the area include Calke Abbey, Twycross Zoo, Conkers, Snibston, National Memorial Arboretum, Bradgate Park, Ashby de la Zouch Castle, Swadlincote Ski & Snowboard Centre, National Forest Adventure Farm, National Brewery Centre, Rosliston Forestry Centre and loads more!
By the water
Take time to explore our waterways, wetlands and woodland lakes.
Aqua Narrowboats based at Mercia Marina shows you everything you need to know to man the helm and embark on your brilliant break. Barton Marina is an essential canal-side stop-off point near Burton upon Trent. Heading north, you can visit Shardlow, one of only two surviving inland canal ports in the country.
For shorter canal boat cruises hop on at Moira Furnace on the recently restored Ashby Canal or watch the scenery gently roll past for an hour's cruise to Stenson or Willington with Mercia Leisure Trips, based at Mercia Marina. On your return you can enjoy a coffee in the café, browse its shops and set off on a canalside walk. You can now also stay in the Mercia Marina's Waterside Lodges.
Heritage
This area is steeped in history with ancient ruins, grand houses and sites that reveal the ingenuity of our industrial past.
Step back in time at National Brewery Centre, Bosworth Battlefield, Donington le Heath Manor House, Moira Furnace, Sharpe's Pottery Museum, Ashby de la Zouch Castle, Melbourne Hall, Elvaston Castle, Catton Hall and the wonderful Calke Abbey.
You'll love Great Central and Battlefield Line Railways.
Take part in a ghost hunt at Tutbury Castle, a ghost walk at Grace Dieu Priory or a paranormal evening at Snibston.
But the most poignant link to our past is the National Memorial Arboretum.
