The National Forest Derbyshire
The National Forest – A forest in the making
The National Forest is England’s most ambitious environmental project. In the very Heart of England, across parts of Leicestershire , Derbyshire and Staffordshire , more than 200 square miles of town and countryside are being transformed, blending ancient woodland with new planting, to create a new national forest.
Already The National Forest offers a tremendous variety of activities to enjoy, with more than 700 miles of paths to explore in over 400 woodlands. The gentle undulating landscape is perfect for walking, cycling and horse-riding. And through the creation of new habitats, The National Forest is an ideal location for bird and wildlife watching.
You can take a peaceful riverside walk in Burton upon Trent , go skiing, snowboarding or tobogganing all year round at Swadlincote or try sailing, fishing or windsurfing on one of the Forest’s reservoirs or waterways.
There is a wealth of wet-weather options too, ranging from farm parks to forestry centres, interactive discovery parks to stately homes and historic castles to craft centres.
Conkers , the award-winning discovery centre, is a fun place to learn more about The National Forest and life in a British Woodland. And not to be missed is Snibston Discovery Park . With 90 indoor and outdoor experiments for families to try, this exciting hands-on experience makes science learning fun!
The National Forest and Beyond is an area steeped in history. Pay a visit to Calke Abbey where time stopped in the 1920s. This famous house celebrates its 300th birthday this year and houses a treasure trove of collections from its former eccentric owners. Calke Abbey's ancient woods conjure a vision of how the newly planted woodlands will look in years to come. The historic village of Tutbury boasts a dramatic 11th Century castle, where you can see former prisoner of the castle, Mary Queen of Scots , holding court in full Tudor costume and make-up. Ashby Castle is one of the most impressive castles in the Midlands and inspired the tournament in Sir Walter Scott ’s 1819 classic novel ‘Ivanhoe’. And many of The National Forest’s picturesque villages, nestling within its quintessentially English countryside, are unchanged through the centuries.
Throughout the year, The National Forest hosts an array of events that attract visitors from around the world. These include the National Waterways Festival, the ancient art of Well Dressing celebrations, scarecrow festivals and the peculiar rural custom of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance .
As the seasons come and go you can witness the ever-changing scenery and the spectacular colours transforming the landscape. Vivid bluebells, lush green leaves in Spring and the rich golds and reds of Autumn.
With the wealth of things to do and see in The National Forest you can be as busy as you choose…. or just simply relax and enjoy the stunning landscapes, sparkling reservoirs, and large swathes of new and ancient woodland.
In just ten years, more than five million trees have been planted and around two square miles are planted each year, making this a place you will want to return to time and again. In this ever-changing landscape, as the woodland cover spreads and the Forest grows, one thing is guaranteed - there will always be something new to see.
As well as visiting this ‘Forest in the making’, you can actively contribute to its development and growth by planting or adopting a tree. For more details on helping to make the Forest grow, its events, attractions or where to stay contact the National Forest Company.
For more information contact:
East Midlands Tourism - 0871 716 2447
Tourist Information Numbers
National Forest Company
Address: Enterprise Glade
Bath Lane
Moira
Swadlincote
Telephone Number: +44 (0) 1283 551 211
Fax Number: +44 (0) 1283 552 844
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