Botanist David Bellamy is backing a drive to get more folk to saddle-up and don their walking boots in Country Durham’s biggest woodland – which also happens to be his back garden!
The Forestry Commission has chosen 2,000 hectare (5,000 acre) Hamsterley Forest for the launch of a UK first visitor scheme, aimed at nurturing even stronger links between local people and the Pennine beauty spot, near Bishop Auckland.
A new Discovery Pass has been unveiled, giving all year-round free parking in the forest for £38, along with discounts on cycle hire, Christmas trees and forest café, along with seasonal newsletters. All the proceeds from the scheme will be re-invested back in the woodland. The initiative - a first in the Forestry Commission's 90-year history - is being piloted at just three other woods in northern England – Dalby Forest in the North York Moors and Whinlatter and Grizedale in Cumbria.
David Bellamy said;
“I’ve lived on the edge of Hamsterley for 36 years and seen it grow to become a fabulous haven for animals, wildflowers and fungi. It’s a very special place, perfect for a walk or horse ride or a whiz along the new mountain bike routes. Anything that makes it easier for people to discover the forest and learn more about Mother Nature has to be a good thing.”
More people are branching out in Hamsterley according to the latest figures, which reveal that visitors are up 10% this year to nearly 180,000. The lure of the growing cycle network and more folk opting to holiday in the UK are reasons cited by forest chiefs for the surge. Ranger Neil Taylor added:
“The Discovery Pass is a way to open the door to more visitors, whilst offering those already using the forest an even better deal.”
NOTES TO EDITOR
1. Discovery Pass holders get a colourful seasonal e-newsletter given the low-down on up coming events and tips on exploring the every-changing forest. Passes can be purchased from Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre, or by logging onto the website at www.forestry.gov.uk/pass
Card-holder benefits also include a 10% discount in the forest shop (£3 minimum spend), a free packed lunch for mid-week cyclists using the uplift service at Descend Hamsterley downhill course and seasonal offers from the Wood n’ Wheels bike hire centre. Over the past decade nearly £1m has been invested at Hamsterley creating bike trails for riders of all abilities, from cross-country to downhill. It’s also a prime spot for walkers with 15 miles of waymarked walks and 17 miles of bridleways.
2. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. To find out more about Hamsterley Forest visit www.forestry.gov.uk/northeastengland
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