National Forest Visitor Guide 2013
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VISITOR GUIDE 2013 ACCOMMODATION, ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS ACROSS PARTS OF DERBYSHIRE, LEICESTERSHIRE & STAFFORDSHIRE it’s all happening... www.visitnationalforest.co.uk it’s all happening in... Glasgow Woodland cover 1991 (6%) Edinburgh Woodland cover 2012 (19%) Newcastle Beautiful Belfast York Don’t wood Fo Manchester ed re Sheffield e st Dublin N miss it! countryside Stoke Derby Nottingham The National Forest & Beyond Birmingham hosts such a wide range of events OFFERING FANTASTIC GENTLE WALKS, AWARD- Leicester Coventry from riverside regattas to walking WINNING ATTRACTIONS, LOVELY PLACES TO STAY Oxford festivals, heavy metal concerts to food Cardiff rnwood Bristol London ha F fairs and classic car shows to firework C o re s AND A PACKED PROGRAMME OF EVENTS t festivals. We have highlighted THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR! a few of our favourites so that The National Forest you don’t miss them! See more Woodland events on page 26 or log on to is one of Britain’s special tree planting day and receive a certificate. Major water feature the website: THE NATIONAL FOREST Main urban areas boldest environmental projects, creating a Forest This makes a great gift! For more information www.visitnationalforest.co.uk for the nation across 200 square miles of contact the National Forest Company on Leicestershire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire. 01283 551 211 or visit the website In less than twenty years, one of the least wooded www.nationalforest.org parts of the country has been transformed. A massive 8 MILLION trees have been planted, Make a weekend of it! Get special offer discount A large print version of this trebling the woodland cover, creating habitats for Whether you prefer a cosy family-run guesthouse, vouchers for many of our top guide is available from the wildlife and a beautiful landscape for people to a campsite in a peaceful forest setting, a timber attractions from the website enjoy. The ultimate goal is for woodland to cover lodge nestling in its own woodland glade, a National Forest Company. around a third of the Forest area and to link the www.visitnationalforest.co.uk modern, environmentally-friendly YHA or a luxury Smaller pictures L-R: ancient forests of Charnwood and Needwood. or from the local Tourist Fun at CONKERS, bee and hotel, the National Forest & Beyond has a wealth Information Centres. CONTENTS Fritalary near Ashby. Help to create this ‘forest in the making’ through of choice in places to stay. Main picture: Beacon Hill Tourist our plantatree scheme. You will be invited to a (2020Vision). Information Woods & wildlife 4 Centres Wheels & walks 6 Our friendly Tourist Information Centres are a font of all knowledge for local attractions Activities & forest including those with facilities for disabled experiences 8 visitors. They sell maps and guide books, can book accommodation and coach trips for you Treasures of the past 10 and offer tickets for events and theme parks. Family fun in the Forest Ashby de la Zouch 12 North Street, Ashby de la Zouch LE65 1HU Drift-away-days Tel: 01530 411 767 on waterways 14 Email: [email protected] Arts, crafts, gifts and spas Swadlincote 16 Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, West Street, Swadlincote DE11 9DG A local flavour 18 Tel: 01283 222 848 Email: [email protected] Attractions 20 Information also available from: Events, fairs and festivals 26 East Staffordshire Borough Council, Customer Service Centre, Market Place, Where to stay 28 Burton upon Trent DE14 1HA Accommodation Tel: 01283 508 000 at a glance 32 Email: [email protected] Weekend break deals The National Forest Company, 35 Bath Yard, Moira, Swadlincote DE12 6BA Tel: 01283 551 211 So accessible and maps 38 Email: [email protected] 2 Follow us on facebook & twitter Loads more events & discount vouchers on www.visitnationalforest.co.uk 3 it’s all happening... Don’t Woods & wildlife miss it! WALK AMONG A SEA OF SNOWDROPS IN FEBRUARY, A BLANKET OF BLUEBELLS IN MAY AND IN AUTUMN ENJOY THE FOREST’S FIERY DISPLAY OF REDS AND GOLDS. ONE THING IS GUARANTEED – IN THIS EVER-CHANGING LANDSCAPE, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TO SEE! National Forest Wood Fair QUICK Bank Holiday Monday 26 August REFERENCE Watch the A walk to the top of BEACON HILL is rewarded See hundreds of graceful deer as they roam with fantastic views from its craggy summit. You free through the bracken and ancient trees lumberjacks in Beacon Hill Country Park, action, chainsaw Woodhouse Eaves, 0116 305 8790, can stroll through the park’s Native Tree in . Paddle in the stream BRADGATE PARK sculpting and try www.leics.gov.uk Collection down to the , where the that meanders by the ruins of the home of OUTWOODS your hand at Billa Barra Hill, 01455 238 141 Lady Jane Grey – the nine day queen. Or display of bluebells in May is simply breath-taking. woodland crafts. walk through meadows bursting with Bluebell Arboretum, Smisby, opens its gates every spring Great for families. 01530 413 700, YOXALL LODGE summer wildflowers at the NATIONAL important for its wildlife and 1,000 year old www.bluebellnursery.com for visitors to witness the amazing display www.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk MEMORIAL ARBORETUM and BILLA BARRA veteran oaks. Autumn is the best time to book a of bluebells. guided tour around the rare and spectacular plant Bluebell Woods of Yoxall Lodge, HILL near Markfield. 01283 575 237, treasures at – the trees Keep your eyes peeled to spot ospreys, owls and BLUEBELL ARBORETUM Bluebells At Yoxall Lodge www.bluebellwoodsyoxall.co.uk The summer haze is followed by an autumn blaze are simply stunning! 13 April-12 May Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood otters, which have become regular visitors to with trees turning red and gold at JACKSON’S . This thriving Watch hundreds of over-wintering flocks of geese Set in beautiful rolling parkland at Country Park, Newtown Linford, SENCE VALLEY FOREST PARK BANK near Newchurch, FOREMARK 0116 236 2713 wildlife haven is unrecognisable from its opencast , and and swans in their annual gathering at Newchurch, Yoxall Lodge opens its RESERVOIR SNIBSTON COUNTRY PARK Branston Water Park, 01283 508 573 past. The surfaced trails weave around the lakes, BEACON HILL in Charnwood. Hear the BRANSTON WATER PARK and the amazing gates in spring for visitors to witness the Smaller pictures L-R: Jay tossing an breath-taking display of bluebells. www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk acorn in Oakthorpe, cycling in ponds and wildflower meadows for families, dog unforgettable booming bellows of stags during display of snowdrops at DIMMINSDALE and Calke Park, Ticknall, 01332 863 822, Swadlincote Woods, Stunning walkers and cyclists to enjoy. rutting season at CALKE PARK, internationally SNIBSTON’S Nature Reserve in February. www.bluebellwoodsyoxall.co.uk bluebells, Blooming Boothorpe. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Main picture: Calke Abbey Estate. Dimminsdale Nature Reserve, Calke, 0116 272 0444, www.lrwt.org.uk Donington le Heath Manor House & Woodlands, 01530 831 259, www.leics.gov.uk Hill Hole Quarry, Markfield, 01455 238 141 Jackson’s Bank, Newchurch, www.visitnationalforest.co.uk Leicestershire County Country Parks, 0116 305 5000, www.leics.gov.uk/countryparks National Memorial Arboretum, 01283 792 333, www.thenma.org.uk Rosliston Forestry Centre, 01283 563 483, www.roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk Sarah’s Wood, Moira, 01530 278 455 Sence Valley Forest Park, Ibstock, 01889 586 593, www.forestry.gov.uk Snibston Country Park, Coalville, 01530 278 444, www.snibston.com Swadlincote Woodlands, 01283 222 848, www.south-derbys.gov.uk Willesley Wood, 01476 581 135, www.willesleywood.co.uk Green Flag Award The prestigious Green Flag Award is the national award for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. 4 Follow us on facebook & twitter Loads more events & discount vouchers on www.visitnationalforest.co.uk 5 it’s all happening... Don’t Wheels & walks miss it! TAKE TIME OUT FROM YOUR BUSY WORLD TO ENJOY SUMMER-TIME STROLLS AND GORGEOUS CYCLE RIDES THROUGH THE ROLLING RURAL LANDSCAPE OF THE NATIONAL FOREST & BEYOND. National Forest Walking Festival QUICK You can explore more than 400 woodlands across You ‘feel much calmer when you walk with a 18-30 May REFERENCE The National Forest spotting a wealth of wildlife, llama’. Help groom a friendly llama before Join us on the 100 walks from otters to orchids and bats to barn owls. embarking on a guided NATIONAL FOREST of varying length led by Beacon Hill Country Park, Woodhouse brilliant guides who Eaves, 0116 305 8790 Download our recommended short, medium or LLAMA TREK, revealing the fascinating flora, fauna and history of this area. reveal fascinating facts Billa Bara Hill, 01455 238 141 long circular walks including routes suitable for on the flora and fauna, wheelchairs and pushchairs from the website Bluebells of Yoxall Lodge, 01283 575 Don’t worry about bringing your bike – you can heritage and history of the area. 237 www.bluebellwoodsyoxall.co.uk www.visitnationalforest.co.uk/walks hire them at ROSLISTON FORESTRY CENTRE, www.thenationalforestwalking Bradgate Park & Swithland Long distance walks that pass through the area Ashby-based or the family-friendly festival.org.uk Wood Country Park, Newtown JUST BIKES The off-road cycling on the include the Staffordshire Way, Leicestershire CONKERS Linford, 0116 236 2713 HICKS LODGE: NATIONAL FOREST CYCLE CIRCUIT and ASHBY WOULDS HERITAGE Round and Ivanhoe Way. This has brilliant off-road circular trails Branston Water Park, 01283 508 573 CENTRE TRAIL is brilliant for families. Linking National Forest 10K and fun run www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk including wide easy routes, suitable for trailers CONKERS, Moira Furnace and YHA National 15 September And if you enjoy walking – you’ll love the Calke Park, Ticknall, 01332 863 822 Smaller pictures L-R: Family cycling and tagalongs, as well as exciting narrow tracks.