Visit the National Pinetum, one of the world's finest conifer collections, a centre for International conifer conservation, and a beautiful place for walks and picnics. Bedgebury Forest is ideal for cycling, walking, running and riding, adventure play and Go Ape.
Open all year & great value for money, Bedgebury is the place to visit on the Kent and Sussex border. "Bedgebury is cared for by the Forestry Commission for people, wildlife and trees".
Latest news and updates
Find out all about the latest Bedgebury news including important site and trail updates, and anything else that may affect your visit.
2018 Events
We have a great programme of events for 2018, offering something for everyone. Visit our Bedgebury Events pages and as details are confirmed, click on each individual event to find out more, or scroll through the calendar to find out what's on when you plan to visit.
You can also find out all you need to know about the Bedgebury Forest Live Conncerts by Paloma Faith & Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott at Bedgebury Forest Live Concerts 2018.
Activities
Highway Rat Activity Trail
The Highway Rat is the latest Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book to be brought to life at Bedgebury. From 20 December, head on a journey with the Highway Rat and all the characters from the story. Packs will be avaliable from the visitor centre for just £3.
Oh help! Oh no! It's the Gruffalo
Our Gruffalo sculpture is hidden in the Pinetum and has been joined by the Gruffalo's Child sculpture! Come and find them both and post your photos on our Facebook page!
Parkrun at Bedgebury!
Enjoy running in the beautiful surroundings of Bedgebury. Find out more about Bedgebury parkrun on our running pages.
Volunteering at Bedgebury
Volunteering at Bedgebury provides a great opportunity to get fit, make friends, enjoy the open air, and gain valuable work experience. If you have a few hours to spare, why not join one of our regular weekly groups? We are currently looking to boost our Visitor Experience Volunteer team. Find out more.
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The National Pinetum
The National Pinetum at Bedgebury is recognised as one of the most complete collections of conifers on one site anywhere in the world, and is a centre for International conservation. It contains over 12,000 tree specimens growing across 320 acres including rare, endangered and historically important specimens. It also provides a beautiful setting to enjoy peaceful walks and picnics giving enormous pleasure to all those who visit it all year round. This is brought to life with Seasonal Trails which highlight particular points of interest and hidden gems amongst the collection. A network of paths throughout enables easy access for all levels of ability
Walking
Bedgebury offers all-ability scenic walking routes through the Pinetum and the forest, including gentle strolls, and self led and guided walks in the Pinetum. The forest offers miles of trails that are perfect for health walks, and orienteering, adventurous family walks, and walking the dog.
Running
Bedgebury Forest is popular with runners of all fitness levels and with miles of off road routes for you to enjoy, you'll have plenty of choice for your run. The trails provide a chance to escape stuffy gyms and get out into the fresh air, offering the opportunity to get fit where you can be inspired by stunning natural surroundings. Our surfaced tracks and way markers have opened up previously uncharted areas of the forest for runners, and we also have regular weekly running groups.
Adventure Play
Relive the adventures of the famous explorers who brought back some of our most exotic trees and shrubs from the farthest corners of the world. Bedgebury's specially-designed play area reflects some of the challenges faced by intrepid plant-hunters through the ages. Go on an adventure around the trail and see how many of the play structures you can find!
Cycling and MTB
Are you looking for a gentle family cycle ride in a beautiful woodland setting, or maybe some high-speed mountain biking round a challenging singletrack? Bedgebury is the perfect place for cycling for all ages and abilities.
Go Ape Tree Top Adventure and Tree Top Junior
Enjoy two to three hours of adventure high above the forest floor, taking on zip wires, Tarzan swings and a variety of obtacles! Mini-Tarzans can also get in on the action with Go Ape's Tree Top Junior course (min age 4yrs and min height 1m). For more information and to book visit Go Ape
Horse riding
Find new dedicated way-marked trails linking with existing bridlepaths, creating a network of horse-friendly routes around the forest.
Learning
Bedgebury is the ideal place for children to widen their horizons. Discover our new, wider range of learning opportunities.
*** Check out the Bedgebury video ***
What do other visitors say?
Helena, 8/Aug/20174 Stars
We had a great day out, went to Go Ape then hired bikes for the 6 mile family cycle route. Only downside was having to pay 12 for car parking as it was an expensive day when paying for activities too.
Anonymous, 2/Aug/20173 Stars
Parking is as astronomically expensive, especially for a short visit. The food in the cafe needs improvement, but otherwise a good day out and nice trails for a family cycle ride.
Forestry Commission Responsethank you for leaving your comments. We believe that the Bedgebury vehicle admission fee represents great value for money with everything there is to enjoy in the forest and pinetum and all income from admission is invested back in to the site for future enjoyment.Our Friends of Bedgebury annual membership also offers great value for anyone visiting more regularly and for shorter stays.
Anonymous, 9/Jul/2017Parking is mega expensive fowlmead (betteshanger country park) is max of 5 per day. However despite parking prices we had a fab day.
Please tell us about your visit
Please email us at bedgebury@forestry.gsi.gov.uk if you have an enquiry, a complaint or would like a personal reply to your comments.