HIDDEN in the heart of England is a fairytale forest bigger than the Isle of Wight that’s somehow been missed off the tourist map.
It offers romantic ruins, herds of deer roaming free and woodland wanders without another soul in sight.
The National Forest in the East Midlands is bigger than the Isle of Wight[/caption]
There’s plenty to do there, including lots of free attractions[/caption]
I live in the National Forest in the East Midlands and I’m always amazed how few visitors know about this woodland wonderland.
It’s the perfect place to soak up the autumn atmosphere, as the trees turn red, gold and brown before losing their leaves.
It’s also home to one of England‘s biggest pumpkin patches at Halloween Farm, where 100,000 gourds are up for grabs every October.
One reason why the woodland spanning parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire is still something of a local secret is that it’s not as well established as its better known brethren like the Forest of Dean or the New Forest, which is ironically hundreds of years older.
The National Forest only came into existence 30 years ago, connecting the two ancient forests of Charnwood and Needwood by planting 10 million trees in-between.
Nowadays the 200 square miles of woodland cover more ground than nearby Rutland, England‘s smallest county. Another 20 million trees are planned by 2050.
Here’s my local lowdown of favourite forest forays, from family days out to solitary rambles amid rocks and trees.
If you’ve got little ones in tow, my sons aged six, 11 and 13 love a visit to Conkers near Ashby, which is the flagship tourist attraction of the National Forest.
It’s got indoor and outdoor adventures galore, including high and low ropes courses, water activities, splash pad, barefoot sensory trail, miniature railway, playgrounds, soft play and even an amphitheatre set beneath the tree canopy.
You can easily spend a day here – family tickets cost £45 for two adults and two children, but you can use Tesco Clubcard vouchers towards entry.
There’s also loads to do at the National Forest Adventure Farm near Burton upon Trent, which is about to open its pumpkin patch for the Halloween season.
The National Forest only came into existence 30 years ago[/caption]
Over the summer, it boasted the UK’s longest outdoor tubing slide and it’s got a big indoor soft play if the weather‘s wet.
Tickets for pumpkin patch and play are £15 for adults and children aged two upwards.
Our absolute family favourite, which doesn’t cost a penny to visit, is Bradgate Park near Leicester, where deer still roam free in what was once the grounds of Lady Jane Grey’s childhood home.
My boys love clambering over the rocks near the ruins of the old house and riding their bikes along the wide flat path to the cafe and visitor centre at the heart of the park.
One of its much-loved oaks is even up for this year’s National Tree of the Year award. Bradgate is brilliant to visit in all seasons, although it can get crowded during school holidays.
Another great place to discover is Rosliston Forestry Centre near Burton upon Trent, which often runs children’s activities and has a small soft play for visitors to enjoy, as well as loads of outdoor areas to explore.
It’s just opened an impressive new playscape in the shape of a falcon. You can book a log cabin if you fancy an overnight stay.
The boys loved exploring the ruins in Bradgate Park[/caption]
One place that surprised me by being family-friendly was the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield, where trees are planted to remember fallen military personnel and others who have served our country.
There’s a playground just outside the visitor centre and a mile-long Stickman trail with wooden sculptures from the Julia Donaldson story.
Entry is free, but tickets for the land train that takes visitors around the 150 acres of woodland and memorials are £19 for a family of five.
If you’re just after a bit of peace and quiet to wander through woods or by the water without any crowds, head to one of the smaller reserves like Sence Valley or the Outwoods near Loughborough.
These are the quieter trails that locals often use to walk their dogs or get out in the fresh air for an hour or two.
There are a few options if you like to combine a walk in the country with a nosey around a historic house.
You’ll find free climbing and play areas around too[/caption]
Calke Abbey near Derby and Stoneywell near Leicester are both looked after by the National Trust, with plenty of grounds to explore.
The 1620s House and Garden near Coalville has special events over autumn and winter, including a Gunpowder Plot day as a nod to the house’s connection to one of the conspirators.
And if you’re interested in industrial heritage, you can head to Snibston Colliery Park in Coalville, Moira Furnace near Ashby or Sharpe’s Pottery Heritage in Swadlincote.
Now that autumn is in the air, you really can’t go wrong with a day out or a weekend visit to the National Forest.
There’s nowhere better for scrunching leaves beneath your feet, meandering for miles without a care in the world or watching the wildlife getting ready for winter.
Treat yourself with a trip to the trees in this fairytale forest that locals love.
Plus, this is the UK’s cheapest county for a staycation with the best free attractions and bargain hotels.
And discover the 15 attractions in the UK that have £1 per person tickets from huge castles to kid-friendly museums.
The National Forest in the East Midlands makes for a fun family day out[/caption]
