Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest

Visitor information

Come and explore our wonderful world of trees

Bedgebury is an award winning visitor attraction with something for everyone. Open all year, Bedgebury is the perfect place for healthy outdoor activity.

The National Pinetum is home to a world-leading collection of conifers and contains over 12,000 specimen trees. The trees and landscape create a beautiful setting for peaceful walks and picnics in the rolling hills and valleys of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Bedgebury National Pinetum is awe-inspiring for tree lovers looking to learn about tree species of international conservation importance and see them up close!

Learn more

Bedgebury Forest  has miles of trails for family cycling and mountain-biking, walking, and running. Enjoy climbing, jumping, sliding and swinging on the Play Trail with a range of play areas for different ages or explore the canopy on a Go Ape tree top adventure or tree top challenge. The Bedgebury cafe at the visitor centre has wonderful views of the pinetum and is set beside one of many lakes. You may also find Gruffalo and friends hiding at Bedgebury Pinetum!

Bedgebury National Pinetum - Marshal's lake autumn colour

Conifers at Bedgebury National Pinetum

Our special tree collection includes conifers from around the world and is breathtaking in its size and grandeur. Bedgebury is important on a global scale for species conservation, scientific advancement and the understanding of conifers. You can search our living library of trees using the interactive Pinetum Explorer map.
A family holding hands looking at the colourful trees
Forest event
Friday 15 November 2024 - Wednesday 1 January 2025 - Selected evenings
Time slots vary by date

A magical trail with new lights for 2024 – an after-dark stroll through our world-leading collection of conifers.

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is a place to make new...

Forest event
1 June, 29 June, 27 July, 7 September
Registration opens 9.30am
Meet at the Cycle skills training area
Grass roots mountain bike racing at it's best 

Bedgebury Forest Cycle club are hosting the 2024 XC race series at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest.

Riders of all ages and...

Forest event
Saturday 15 June
10am to 2.30pm
Kent High Weald Partnership in Walled Garden
Spend a day making a rustic chair for Father's day at Bedgebury Pinetum 

Join a fun day with the team at Kent High Weald Partnership in Bedgebury Pinetum making your own rustic...

Forest event
September - November 2024
10am to 5.30pm
Old Walled Garden - Kent High Weald Partnership
Take your passion for outdoor learning to the next level 

Enrol on to a Bright Sparks Level 3 Forest School Practitioner training course to enable you to lead your own forest...

Our cycle trails offer something for everyone, from beginners and families looking for a fun day out, to adrenalin junkies looking for a challenge.

Follow our 9km family cycle trail...

Each week Bedgebury hosts a range of different fitness and wellbeing activities.

Relaxing and rejuvenating sessions give beginners a helping hand and offer guidance and coaching for...

2024 is The Gruffalo’s 25th birthday year and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all...

Take some time for you on our wellbeing trail at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest 

Spending time amongst the trees and really noticing nature is scientifically proven to boost...

Our work

A view across a lake with lilypads, a bridge and scarlet red autumn colour

Our work

Bedgebury National Pinetum is home to the largest conifer collection in the world and is important on a global scale for species conservation, scientific advancement and the understanding of conifers. Open all year round, Bedgebury is awe-inspiring for tree lovers as well as a beautiful setting for peaceful walks, and picnics around the rolling hills, valleys, and lakes.

Our history

A bench surrounded by trees and a view across a valley

Our history

Discover Bedgebury's history and learn about the first curator and world-renowned expert on conifers, William Dallimore who developed the internationally important collection of conifers and stunning vistas we see today. Established in 1925, Bedgebury Pinetum is the result of a partnership between the Forestry Commission and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Family following a map in the forest

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest map

Spend an entire day exploring 350 acres of the National Pinetum, the largest conifer collection in the world and 2200 acres of Bedgebury Forest with miles of family cycling, mountain-biking, walking, and running trails.

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