Buckler's Forest

What it’s like

Free open heathland with wide surfaced paths for cycling, running and dog walks, plus picnic tables dotted about.

Wide surfaced tracks are the whole point here. Bikes, scooters, running, whatever gets your kids moving, there's room for it without dodging tree roots or mud. It's flat, open and easy on a buggy too, which isn't always a given at places billed as forest.

There are free downloadable activity sheets covering wildlife and wildfire learning, so if you want the visit to be more than a lap of the paths, that's an easy way to add one in. Bring your own picnic and use the tables dotted around, since there's nothing to buy on site. Dogs are properly welcome, and there's even a guided Heathland Hounds walk programme if you fancy doing it with company rather than working out your own route.

Parking is free and right there, with disabled bays included, though vans and anything over 2.3m won't fit under the height barrier. Since 2026 there's also the neighbouring Buckler's Park Community Hub with its own separate parking, worth knowing if the main car park looks full.

Visit length is really up to you. Some people are in and out in twenty minutes with the dog, others turn it into a proper afternoon with a picnic and the activity sheets. Nothing here is ticketed or timed, so there's no session to plan around, just turn up.

Facilities

Need to know

Parking

Free on-site parking with 2.3m height restriction

How long to allow

Variable. Popular for casual visits to a large open space

Dogs

Welcome. Guided dog walks available through Heathland Hounds programme

• The car park has a 2.3m height restriction, so it's not one for taller vans
• There's a separate car park at the neighbouring Community Hub if the main one's full
• Download the wildlife and wildfire activity sheets before you go if you want more than just a walk
• No food on site, so pack a picnic

Plan your visit

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