Fineshade Wood
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Corby
What it’s like
Five play areas, a Room on the Broom trail with the Witch and Dragon dotted through it, and a cycle trail to burn a whole morning on.
Five separate play areas mean climbing, swinging and sliding wherever you end up, and the Room on the Broom trail gives the walk a purpose beyond "just walk". Spotting the Witch and Dragon characters along the way turns a woodland stroll into something a five-year-old will actually agree to do without moaning about their legs. There's a family cycle trail too if you'd rather bring bikes than push a buggy round.
Entry itself is free, which is the right call for somewhere you might only manage an hour before nap time wins. The parking is where the cost actually sits: £3.80 for up to an hour, rising to £9 if you're there over three hours, and it's card or device only so don't turn up expecting to feed coins into a machine. Members of Forestry England park free here and at other sites, which is worth knowing if woodland days out become a regular thing.
The Grounds Cafe does homemade cakes and proper coffee, or you can bring your own and use the picnic area if the weather's playing along. Toilets, baby change and accessible benches are all on site, and there are nine accessible parking spaces plus wheelchair access for anyone who needs it. Dogs are welcome too, so it's not a one-species outing.
Opening hours shift a little through the week: 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm at weekends. It's open every day of the year bar Christmas Day.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- £3.80 (up to 1 hour), £6.50 (up to 2 hours), £8.50 (up to 3 hours), £9.00 (over 3 hours)
- Food
- Grounds Cafe with homemade cakes and signature coffee
- Picnics
- Allowed at the picnic area
- Wheelchairs
- Accessible benches and toilet available
- Worth knowing
- Members park for free at Fineshade Wood and across Forestry England national sites
- Parking is card or device only, no cash accepted
- Forestry England members park free here and at other Forestry England sites
- Dogs are welcome around the trails and play areas
- Weekend hours run slightly later than weekdays, 9am to 4.30pm versus 9.30am to 4pm
Plan your visit
Is it free to get in?
Yes, entry to Fineshade Wood is free. You only pay for parking.
How much is parking?
£3.80 for up to an hour, £6.50 up to two hours, £8.50 up to three, £9 if you're there longer. It's card or contactless only, no cash.
What is there for kids to actually do?
Five play areas with climbing, swinging and sliding, plus the Room on the Broom trail where you spot the Witch and Dragon characters. There's also a family cycle trail if you bring bikes.
Do we need to book?
There's no booking link, so you can just turn up within opening hours.
What are the opening hours?
9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm on weekends. Open every day except Christmas Day.
Is there anywhere to eat?
The Grounds Cafe does homemade cakes and coffee. You can also bring a picnic and use the picnic area.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
There are accessible toilets, accessible benches and nine accessible parking spaces, and the site is wheelchair accessible.
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