10 of your favourite UK forests
Go down to the woods today and discover a secret world of wildlife, water and trails
Rothiemurchus Forest, Inverness-shire
Rothiemurchus Forest is the place to go for spotting anything from red squirrels to mountain hares. I’ve even got up close to a red deer among its densely-planted pines.
Gus Mackenzie
The New Forest, Hampshire
The New Forest! I take my family camping here every summer to enjoy the hiking, biking and
horse riding the forest offers. Visit the Ringwood Brewery – their delicious ales really hit the spot!
Ali Bellinger
Kielder Forest, Northumberland
Kielder Forest for its big skies – one of Britain’s best Dark Sky Parks. Perfect for star gazing!
Tom Moody
Glenariff, County Antrim
Glenariff Forest Park in County Antrim is a must-visit for its tumbling waterfalls and views of both the glen itself and the distant sea. The five-mile Scenic Trail is one of my favourite walks in the country, and on a clear day you can see as far as the Mull of Kintyre.
Emma Rush
Ashdown Forest, East Sussex
Ashdown Forest, famous for being the setting of Winnie the Pooh, is well worth a visit in its own right. There’s acres and acres of relaxing walks among the ancient woodlands, and, a bonus, it’s all dog friendly too!
Shane O’Reilly
Jackson’s Bank, Staffordshire
Jackson’s Bank, part of the National Forest, especially during bluebell season when the whole woods are full of life and colour. It’s very special.
Claudia Bullen
Coed-y-Brenin, North Wales
As a die-hard mountain biker, Coed-y-Brenin in Snowdonia, is by far and away my favourite forest, with some of the best single tracks in the country. The 4½-hour black ‘The Beast’ track is one the gnarliest in the UK.
Andrew Burton
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Forest hikes, cycle paths and canoeing on the Wye… It’s all about the ancient and enchanting Forest of Dean for me!
James Ball
Blaxton Wood, Devon
My childhood playground: Blaxton Wood, on the shores of the River Tavy. What it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty and intrigue.
Peter Eggins
Thetford Forest, Norfolk
It’s the looming trees of Thetford Forest, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, for me. It’s the largest lowland pine forest in Britain, with 47,000 acres to get lost in.
Roger Wilson