New forestry in the heart of England
518 sq km/200 sq miles
East Midlands | West Midlands
The National Forest is one of England’s most ambitious environmental projects. Across parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, 200 square miles are being transformed, blending ancient woodland with new planting to create a new national Forest. There is a wealth of choice for great days out or short breaks with bustling attractions, gentle walking and brilliant activities.
In less than twenty years, one of the least wooded parts of the country has been transformed. Around 8 million trees have been planted, trebling the woodland cover and creating habitats for wildlife and a beautiful landscape for people to enjoy. The ultimate goal is for woodland to cover around a third of the Forest area and to link the ancient forests of Charnwood and Needwood.
For more information on the wealth of things to do and see in The National Forest including suggested walks available for download please visit the website: www.visitnationalforest.co.uk, email enquiries@nationalforest.org or call 01283 551 211.
Extensive information on sites of interest, walks and visitor attractions is on the National Forest website below.
Principle sites in Staffordshire include:
- Branston Water Park (tel 01283 508573) southwest of Burton, with a 16ha/40-acre lake and trails leading off into surrounding woodland
- Jackson’s Bank (tel 01283 820275) at Hoar Cross west of Burton, a 32.5ha/80-acre mixed woodland with walkers’ trails that is part of historic Needwood Forest.
Accessibility
Some accessible paths and sites, including Branston Water Park, Rosliston Forestry Centre, Sarah's Wood, Sence Valley Forest Park and Thornton Reservoir. More details under Planning your visit on the the National Forest website, or contact their office for more information (see below).
Public transport
Good public transport routes serve the area, with rail services at Burton, Willington and Leicester. Buses serve many other points, and the independent Great Central Railway runs through the eastern end of the Forest between Leicester and Loughborough (see Public transport: East Midlands). For more information contact local information centres.
Maps
Publications
- National Forest: Forest Walks. Ring binder, £5 from the National Forest Company or local information centres (below).
Paths and routes
Contacts
- National Forest Company Enterprise Glade, Bath Lane, Moira, Swadlincote DE12 6BD, tel 01283 551211
www.nationalforest.org - Conkers Discovery Centre Rawdon Road, Moira, Ashby-de-la-Zouch DE12 6GA, tel 01283 216633
www.visitconkers.com
Regions
Local authorities
Visitor Information
Accommodation
