Adventure in a world of trees at Bedgebury
Bedgebury Forest offers walking, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, adventure play and orienteering for people of all ages and abilities, creating one of South East England’s premier sites for healthy outdoor activity.
There is now a multi-functional Visitor Centre, all-ability trails throughout the Forest and National Pinetum and half a mile of adventure play. The facilities are open all year round.
Cyclists of all ages and abilities can enjoy a 10km family cycle route (with a 4km short loop) and over 13kms of mountain bike trails. This includes a long cross-country singletrack and a daredevil Freeride area, with built structures and obstacles designed to challenge a rider's ability and technical skills.
There are all-ability walking routes promoting healthy living, including health walks and calorie mapped trails. The state-of-the-art Adventure Play Area is themed around the great plant-hunters of the Victorian era.
Bedgebury has also added and upgraded 12km of horse riding tracks. The addition of way-marking, a trail map, a secure box park and picnic area, plus links to existing bridleways has created a wonderful trail riding opportunity.
The project has been carefully planned to take into account conservation issues and minimise disruption to Bedgebury’s abundant wildlife and special habitats.
The new Visitor Centre serves both the National Pinetum and Forest. It features catering, toilets, a seperate cycle hire shop (including disabled cycles), showers, bike wash area, visitor information and a classroom/community room.
Bedgebury also has a Go Ape high wire and aerial assault course, with rope bridges, Tarzan Swings and zip slides up to 40 feet above the forest floor. Please visit www.goape.co.uk for more details.
Bedgebury's National Pinetum is host to the world’s finest collection of conifers and continues to offer a haven of peace set in beautiful parkland with lakes, streams, rolling hills and wide avenues. The Visitor Centre lies at the hub of a network of new paths throughout the Pinetum that enable easy access for all levels of ability.
Bedgebury is open all the year. Visitors are encouraged to wear suitable footwear and clothing as Bedgebury is an outdoor site.
Opening Times for 2009:
February 8am - 5pm
March 8am - 6pm
April 8am - 7pm
May - August 8am - 8pm
September 8am - 7pm
October 8am - 6pm
November 8am - 5pm
December 8am - 4pm
Admission Fees:
Admission is £7.50 per car or £30.00 per minibus or £50 per coach.
Unlimited parking with the Friends Membership from £50 pa.
General contact number: 01580 879820
The Pantry 07517 203874 is open 7 days a week
www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury
The Friends of Bedgebury National Pinetum is a charity that supports the Forestry Commission in maintaining and enhancing the collection.
For more information on the Friends of Bedgebury click on: www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk
