Grizedale

The launch of the new Gruffalo Activity Trail has been delayed due to storm damage. We have Gruffalo Orienteering as an alternative.

Visitor information

Grizedale forest in the heart of the Lake District World Heritage Site, offers an unrivalled day out for everyone

Breath-taking views, stunning artwork and endless forest trails, come and discover all that Grizedale has to offer!

Explore the forest on two wheels, foot or horse back and keep your eyes peeled along the way for our unique sculptures which are dotted throughout the forest. For more of a challenge, test your nerve and swing among the trees on one of our Go Ape courses.

Is one day not enough? Extend your forest adventure with a stay at our nearby cottage or at the local family run campsite.

We do not allow camping or overnight stays in the forest or any of the car parks in Grizedale Forest

What's on

Forest event
16 December 2023 until 21 April 2024
Open all day
Exhibition Space

Earth Photo, the international competition and exhibition created by Forestry England and the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), showcases photographs and videos that document the natural world, its breathtaking beauty, and its ever-growing fragility.

The Grizedale exhibition will display a selection of the shortlisted entries, allowing visitors to view the stunning images in a beautiful forest setting. 

Don't miss Earth Photo 2023 at Grizedale.

Whether you've just bought your first bike, or you're happy shredding through rock gardens, Grizedale Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling.

Our famous mountain bike routes will spoil you for choice.

Explore over 4000 hectares of forest and woodland and discover sculptures by some of the leading names in contemporary art.

Grizedale Forest's extensive network of walking and cycling trails are a great way to explore and discover sculptures.

The trails offer a range of options for visitors of all abilities and incredible views of the surrounding Lake District Fells.

Discover other arts projects across England. 

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

Follow the trail to help find the missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember. Search for balloons, pine cones, apples and the Gruffalo himself, and complete fun activities and rubbings as you go along.

Get the party started with a Gruffalo Party Trail pack

Pick up your pack for just £4 from the Visitor Centre during opening hours, packed with fun things to do on your party adventure.

Inside you’ll find:

kraft bag to colour in party headband to wear party trail activity leaflet stickers pencil and crayon keepsake sew-on Gruffalo Party patch

Share your party fun using the #GruffaloTrail hashtag.

The Gruffalo © 1999 & TM Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

We are delighted that we now have an all-terrain mobility scooter (Tramper) available to hire.

We currently have one waymarked route approved for the Tramper to use. This is a stunning 5 mile trail exploring some of the quieter areas of the western side of the forest around Wood Moss tarn. We will have a shorter, gentler route available later in the year as soon as some trail improvement works are completed.

You need to be a member of Outdoor Mobility to hire the Tramper. If you’re not an existing member, you can easily sign up online at www.outdoormobility.org. An annual membership costs £15 or a taster membership that lasts for two weeks costs £5. Outdoor Mobility also offer single trip hire for £3.

All new members will be provided with an induction  on how to use the Tramper. Existing users will be offered a refresher of how to operate the Tramper. All information required will be passed over to the user through the booking process.

Trampers must be booked online through the Outdoor Mobility website before your visit at www.outdoormobility.org.

Read the Outdoor Mobility membership terms and conditions at www.outdoormobility.org/booking-terms

Nearby forests

View over Hardknott, lake district

The entire 630 hectare site at Hardknott Forest is being restored to native habitats of oak and birch woodland, peatbogs, heather and grassland.

Walks through the forest offer great opportunities to observe wildlife, enjoy stunning scenery and see the results of the practical work being done by the Restoring Hardknott Forest project.

Whitbarrow forest hills

Residing within the Lake District National Park, Whitbarrow Forest is situated on a limestone ridge overlooking the Lyth Valley approximately eight kilometres to the south-west of Kendal.

The wider Whitbarrow massif is a popular walking area; much of which is now designated open access land. The whole area is well-served with public footpaths, permissive paths and a wide range of other paths and tracks.

Eggerslack

Eggerslack Woods is a delightful, tranquil place with native trees, an abundance of wildlife and a wide range of holly, ivy and ferns. Located south of Kendal, it is well-equipped with footpaths and is a natural gateway to spectacular views.

Eggerslack Wood is a popular location for walkers and is often visited as part of more extended walks over Hampsfell. Eggerslack is well placed to offer short walks from Grange-over-Sands or from the parking area on Hampsfell Road.

View of Pillar from Blengdale Forest viewpoint

Discover a variety of outdoor experiences at Blengdale Forest, from a gentle walk up the valley of the River Bleng to a cycle ride around the forest roads. 

From the highest points, Blengdale offers wild views of Wasdale, Haycock and the West Cumbrian Coast.

For some light refreshment stop off in Gosforth and sample the delicious Gosforth Bakery's pies, famous throughout Cumbria.

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