THE NATIONAL FOREST WALKING FESTIVAL 14th-26th May, 2016 Guided and themed walks Beautiful places to explore Walks for all ages and abilities to enjoy Places to stay from B&B’s to Forest Lodges www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk 2 WELCOMEthe national forest walking TO festival THE NATIONAL FOREST WALKING FESTIVAL 2016 It’s a great time to be here, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of The National Forest. The first trees were planted in 1991, marking the start of this, the biggest, boldest environmental project in the country. The Forest area spans 200 square miles of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and had been chosen just a few months earlier to be the site of an ambitious new multi-purpose forest for the nation. It was to be near where people live and work, and would use The Rt Hon. the Lord Heseltine, then Secretary of State for Environment, planting one of the first trees at the the trees to bring about improvements Woodland Trust’s site in The National Forest at Willesley to the economy, to the quality of life Wood in 1991 for people who live here and to the environment. Local communities and supporters nationwide were eager to get planting! The area was chosen to link the ancient forests of Charnwood in the east and Needwood in the west and also to help repair the damage left to the environment and local communities by the closure of the Midlands coalfield. The landscape would be transformed by planting trees to create a mosaic of farmland, industry, transport corridors, towns and villages, open space – all First tree planting at Rosliston Forestry Centre, 1995 framed by woodland. 3 WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL FOREST WALKINGthe FESTIVAL national forest walking 2016 festival Hundreds of woodlands have been created New woodlands offer more opportunities for walking throughout The National Forest and recreation Almost eight and a half million trees Many of the routes in the National later, we have created hundreds of Forest Walking Festival include woodlands, using primarily native villages and locations that were once broadleaf species such as oak and birch, part of the mining landscape – a more than trebling the forest cover from massive transformation that has seen a meagre 6 per cent in the early 1990s the central part of the Forest turn to 20 per cent in 2015. from black to green! In what was once one of the country’s If you fancy a longer walk, the 75-mile least wooded regions, the National long National Forest Way is a great Forest Company and its partners are way to explore the varied landscapes increasing forest cover with ambition throughout The National Forest: and imagination, creating habitats for www.nationalforestway.co.uk wildlife, a woodland economy and a beautiful landscape for people to enjoy. The future’s looking bright, leafy and green for The National Forest, well beyond this its first quarter century. If you would like to get involved and support The National Forest, plant a tree with us, or help look after woodlands, find out more at www.nationalforest.org 4 the national forest walking festival Conkers Camping and Caravaning Club site Stay and Enjoy the national forest Why not turn your National Forest Walking Festival experience into a holiday or mini break and book somewhere to stay in the area. With a wide range of accommodation from the YHA National Forest to a homely farmhouse or a spacious forest lodge, there is something to cater for every taste and budget. With so many pubs, restaurants, cafes and tearooms in the area, you’ll be spoilt for choice for where to go after you’ve enjoyed your walk. “I just love the Festival with all its variety and opportunities to learn.” Quorn Grange Hotel the national forest walking festival 5 Rosliston Forestry Centre timber lodges Conkers Camping and Caravaning Club site Best Western Premier Yew Lodge Hotel Conkers Camping and Caravaning Club site The Dandelion Hideaway For more information on special offers and details of the many things to see and do, visit: Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre, Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, West St, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 9DG Our friendly TIC staff will help you find and book the perfect accommodation for your visit and provide full details of attractions, events and transport and travel information. Tel: 01283 222848 Email: [email protected] or visit www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk to download the 2016 Destination Guide 6 the national forest walking festival a guide to the walks Most walks are free and do not need to be booked. Where there is a charge or booking is required, details are listed under each walk. Walks are graded for difficulty: Please see below, information that you find useful before attending a walk. Routes suitable for most levels • Please wear suitable footwear and clothing (a EASY of fitness. May be suitable for conventional waterproof preferably) wheelchairs and pushchairs (please see • Remember to bring any medication you may individual walk key for more information). need • It is advisable to always carry a drink LEISURELY Routes for reasonably fit • You may need to bring a packed lunch people. May include some un-surfaced rural paths. (see individual walk key for more info) • Walkers age 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult MODERATE Walks for people with a good level of fitness. May include some steep • If dogs are allowed on a walk (see individual paths and open country and may be at a brisk pace. walk key for more info), they must be kept on a lead at all times • All those taking part in a walk do so at STRENUOUS Walks for experienced their own risk country walkers with an above average level of fitness. May include hills, rough country and be • Most walk leaders are volunteers at a brisk pace. • Walks will start promptly. Please be advised walkers may be taking photographs on any of the festival walks, KEY which may be used in future publicity. K£ Car park fee s Pushchair access GUIDED WALK: £ Entrance fee Bring packed lunch d Wheelchair access Walking boots A walk led by an experienced leader with local A Dogs not allowed Dogs allowed knowledge, often relating to a specific topic. y on a lead Walks will take place on varying terrain. Please Children welcome l [] Toilets available see specific walks for more information. Bring a torch en route HEALTH WALK: For more information please visit: A short walk on surfaced paths suitable for all www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk ages and for people recovering from illness. A or call Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre social walk led by a trained volunteer. on 01283 222848 the national forest walking festival 69 63 13 79 1 84 36 49 73 28 46 37 32 60 50 64 21 43 14 39 47 16 53 15 82 30 19 7 52 25 6 58 42 2 77 48 38 78 67 44 72 59 75 74 81 83 17 62 34 20 11 29 12 24 71 26 55 35 31 4 45 8 51 40 57 76 61 66 56 80 10 3 18 85 22 68 41 23 9 27 65 54 33 5 70 The National Forest Way 7 8 the national forest walking festival Saturday 14th May 3 Achille Wood and Farm Walk Guided Walk Leisurely 1 Three Marina’s Charity Walk Start time 10am Guided Walk Leisurely 2 miles, 2 hours, 1-5 stiles Start time 10am Moderate STARTING POINT Hill Farm, Spring Lane, 3.5 or 7 miles, 1.5-3.5 hours, 0 stiles (but Packington, LE65 1WU (Nearest car park lots of steps over two bridges) £5 adult, Farm Yard) £3 concessions, children free Take a leisurely stroll around the farm and STARTING POINT Bandstand, Mercia woodland taking in Canadian Bison, Red Deer, Marina, Findern Lane, Willington, Alpacas and many more. Finish with a visit to DE65 6DW the farm shop for refreshments. [] y Join the Chairman of South Derbyshire District Council on this sponsored charity walk of 3.5 or 7 miles in aid of Rainbows hospice for children 4 Coton and the Mease Valley and young people and SSAFA. Starting from Marina, along footpath to Findern, through Guided Walk Moderate village and down to Trent and Mersey Canal Start time 10am towpath. Follow towpath back to Marina for 9 miles, 5.5 hours, 11 stiles short walk and onto Willington for longer walk. STARTING POINT Outside St Mary’s Church, Free quiz for children and families to do. All participants will receive a medal. Church Street, Coton-in-the-Elms, DE12 8HG (On street parking on Elms Road) Booking essential. www.threemarinascharitywalk.eventbrite.com A fairly level circular walk exploring the or call 01283 595895 southernmost part of Derbyshire and some attractive villages on both sides of the River y [] Mease. Stop for lunch break along the route. y 2 Branston Leas - A New Nature Reserve Guided Walk Leisurely Start time 10am 5 Groby Pool and Newtown Linford 3 miles, 2 hours, 0 stiles Guided Walk Moderate STARTING POINT Riverside Inn Car Park, Start time 10am Riverside Drive, Branston, DE14 3EP 8 miles, Approx 4 hours, a few stiles Join us for a leisurely walk around Branston STARTING POINT Groby Pool Car Park, Leas, a new nature reserve. Take a closer look at Newtown Linford, Groby, LE6 0FR the works to turn this ex agricultural site into a A circular walk from Groby, by the edge of haven for local wildlife and the local community. the pool, through Newtown Linford and back The site includes the creation of a 20,000 native via woods and fields giving stunning views tree woodland with hay meadows.