Instructions for Exploring The National Forest, England
Venture into an unexpected slice of rewilding heaven smack in the English Midlands - the daring National Forest sprawling across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire. Once a heartland for coal and clay mining, this corner of the country boasted a mere 6% forest cover - bare and barren. Now, that's history!
Over the past three decades, an audacious vision took root here, as 9.5 million treescalling the National Forest home, reaching 25% coverage in 2024. Astonishing Before-and-After shots capture the jaw-dropping transformation of once-scarred, open-cast mining landscapes in Moira and Donisthorpe. Here, the scars have given way to shimmering lakes, verdant meadows, and glorious woodlands - celebrating a shift from black to green.
The mining past remains deeply etched in the area's identity. Mournful ironwork info boards echo stories of the lost industry, and a forward-thinking vision seeks to elevate the area, striving for improvements in biodiversity, food security, health, carbon capture, commerce, tourism, and more.
Steeped in culture and enveloped by natural beauty, the National Forest makes for a purr-fect adventure with plenty of treats to savor along the way. Mature woodlands beckon you for invigorating walks and cycle rides, as the heart of the forest merges to offer a tantalizing tapestry of community-driven innovation and thriving businesses.
Dive into the scenery by hopping on two wheels - pedal (or e-bike) right across the forest on traffic-free cycle paths, towpaths, and quiet country lanes, traversing scenic community woods, historic ruins, and stately homes. As you roll through this densely populated region, you'd never know you were in the heart of England! The National Forest - a dazzling triumph of rewilding right under our noses!
Two days in the National Forest:
Day 1:* Grace Dieu, an ancient thirteenth-century priory ruin nestled in Thringstone* Magnificent woodcarvings at Rosliston Forestry Centre, born from the planting of 120,000 trees* The National Forest Cycling Centre at Hicks Lodge* Hoar Cross Hall, a country house hotel presiding over an estate said to have been purchased for just 18 pence in 1450.* The resplendent Church of the Holy Angels in Hoar Cross
Begin in the west, exploring Deer Park - a family-owned farm that has reintroduced deer to the area while creating a 5km nature walk and providing indie shops and a delectable café. Next, indulge in the gorgeous Victorian Gothic architecture of the Church of the Holy Angels, hidden away in the countryside. Take a leisurely stroll through Jackson's Bank, replanted ancient woodland featuring Scots pine, oak, and cherry; bursting with bluebells and wild garlic in spring.
Then, journey eastwards, exploring the heart of the forest via Rosliston Forestry Centre. Once a scarred mining landscape, witness its renewal as a delightful tapestry of lakes and woods. Pause at Moira, the most heavily mined area, to explore the old mining infrastructure at Moira Furnace Museum and observe Lakeside Luxury Lodges, an enterprising venture embracing the National Forest's rebirth. Finally, chill out at The Tap pub in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, sampling local Tollgate ale.
Day 2:* Calke Abbey – an 'unstately' Baroque-style former country estate in nr. Ticknall* The Norman Church in Melbourne with an opportunity to join the bellringers* The National Trust-managing Tollgate Brewery on Calke Abbey's estate
Embark on a stroll or cycle to Tollgate Brewery, brewing up delicious beers within the old milking parlors on Calke Abbey's estate. Loop back via the charming hamlet of Staunton Harold, boasting an impressive manor and church, as well as a crammed stable block jam-packed with delightful shops and cafes. Alternatively, delve deeper into Calke Abbey, exploring its atmospheric decayed Baroque-style interior while learning about its history as an 'unstately home'.
Finally, unearth the market town of Melbourne and its Norman church. Or, venture to Charnwood – an ancient woodland as well as a burgeoning UNESCO geopark, home to some of the oldest animal fossils ever discovered. The star geosite is Bradgate Park, a scenic stomping ground for grazing deer, Tudor ruins, and unique rock formations. Cap off your adventure with a tantalizing pub supper at The Wheatsheaf in Woodhouse.
Ask a local:
"The glowing embers of the National Forest beckon for a memorable twilight stroll. Amble through Feanedock and Boothorpe in the heart of the forest, climbing the hill to find a bench that seems to have embraced a yogic pose. Marvel at the awe-inspiring transformation from the mining landscape of yore to today's thriving forest – a symphony of change, hope, and endless possibilities."
Sue Jerham, National Forest E-Bike Holidays
Top Side Trips:* Experience the magic of woodworking courses, led by master craftsman Peter Wood, in Melbourne* Honor the fallen at the National Memorial Arboretum, a vast, moving tribute to our war heroes* Indulge in the tranquility of one of the 400 woodlands littering the National Forest – each with its unique history and story to tell* Stride along the National Forest Way, a 120km footpath connecting the National Memorial Arboretum and Beacon Hill Country Park. Choose from 12 linear stages or craft your own circular walks.
- The National Forest, encompassing home-and-garden wonders and travel destination gems, provides an unlikely fusion of culture, history, and rewilding, offering visitors a distinctive lifestyle experience.
- As the Sun sets, embark on a twilight stroll within the heart of the National Forest, admiring the yogic bench in Feanedock and Boothorpe, celebrating the home-and-garden transformation from the mining past to the thriving, verdant forest of today - a tribute to the traveler's unending quest for new experiences.
