Woodland Holidays in the UK

Forest of Dean

Whether you’re looking for a secluded escape or an adrenaline-fuelled adventure, reconnect with Mother Nature with a visit to one of the UK’s most enchanting forests. If there’s one thing the UK has no shortage of, it’s unspoilt woodland. Our forests are brimming with beauty and wildlife all year round, making them perfect for nature watching, walking and mountain biking – or for just finding some peace and quiet. Look out for native ponies in the New Forest, walk in Robin Hood’s shoes amidst the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest, or live out your very own adventure in Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean. With so much of our country carpeted in thick woodland, you’ll be spoilt for choice on which forest to visit first. To get your imagination ticking, here are just three of the UK’s most impressive forests – and what not to miss when you’re there. The New Forest, Hampshire With historical roots reaching as far back as 1079, the New Forest is far from new. Once a royal hunting preserve, it’s now one of the UK’s most visited national parks, home to deer, native ponies and rare birds. Made up of unspoilt woodland, rare heathland and river valleys, there’s more to the New Forest than first meets the eye. Spend a long weekend in a traditional thatched cottage, gaze up at giant sequoias along the ‘Tall Trees Trail’, cycle through quaint villages, and meet the national park’s nosy wild ponies. There are plenty of activities and attractions for families too. The ‘Peppa Pig’ themed Paultons Park is a huge draw for children, while Longdown Activity Farm and the New Forest Wildlife Park are popular spots for animal lovers. The New Forest is also conveniently close to the UK’s glorious south coast. Watch the boats come and go from the harbour town of Lymington, a jumping-off point to the Isle of Wight, or walk along the beach to Hurst Castle from Milford-on-Sea. It’s this combination of woodland and coastline that make the New Forest a true holiday haven. The Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire Step inside JRR Tolkien and JK Rowling’s magical worlds with a trip to Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean. Its mysterious depths supposedly inspired Middle Earth, and key scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were also filmed here. Dean’s history stretches back to medieval times, when it was used as a royal hunting forest. A source of timber for Tudor warships, and later a Victorian hub for iron and coal mining, in 1938 it was promoted

to England’s first National Forest Park. Today, a landscape of woodlands, rivers, hills and valleys make the Forest of Dean a playground for outdoor pursuits. Recharge your batteries from a remote forest cabin before taking a high ropes course in the treetops or exploring some of the UK’s oldest underground mine workings at Clearwell Caves. The area is also home to one of the best rivers in the country for canoeing and kayaking – the River Wye. Paddle down the river solo or join a relaxing boat cruise, learning about the landscape as you go. Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire Robin Hood’s legendary stomping ground, the ancient Sherwood Forest is entwined with myths and fairy tales. It’s hard to ignore Robin Hood while you’re here, with countless pubs, lodges, walking trails and even a festival named after him. But Sherwood Forest is much more than its most famous hero. Plenty of visitors travel here to see the forest’s gigantic oak trees, many of which have been standing for centuries. The Major Oak, believed to be 1,100 years old, is actually the biggest in Britain! Explore the hundreds of acres of ancient woodland here on foot or by bike, ticking off the Robin Hood statues along the way. Its history as a royal hunting forest means it’s also dotted with several grand ducal estates, many of which are open to the public. You could even time your visit around the annual Robin Hood festival, held in the forest every summer. Storytelling, sword fighting, dancing, and food, drink and craft stalls come together to create a fun atmosphere for kids and adults alike. And if that wasn’t enough, the charming village of Edwinstowe is also nearby, rumoured to be the marriage destination of Robin Hood and Maid Marian.

New Forest (Victor Ochieng) Sherwood Forest (John W. Schulze)