Heartwood Forest
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Free waymarked walks through England's largest new native forest, with wildflower meadows and a community orchard to explore.
This is a big stretch of young woodland to wander through, and the site's own draw is the waymarked walks that take you past wildflower meadows and grassland out to a community orchard. Keep your eyes up too. They list birds of prey and rare species among the wildlife, so it's worth pointing them out to a kid who'd otherwise have their head down looking for sticks.
It's free to get in, which counts for a lot when you're not sure how long a visit will last. Opening hours shift with the seasons, from 8am to 8pm at the height of summer down to 8am to 5pm over winter.
Buggies cope fine on the main paths and there's step-free access, but most of the paths are unsurfaced, so after rain you're looking at proper mud rather than a damp patch. The overflow car park is grass too, and that can get waterlogged in wet weather, so leave the good shoes at home if the forecast's against you. There are 55 parking spaces on site including 5 blue badge bays, all free with no time limit.
One thing to sort before you go: there are no toilets on site, the nearest are at Sandridge Village Hall. Plan your visit and your last-minute toilet stop accordingly. Beyond that it's a straightforward walk in the woods, good for wildflower spotting in season and for a proper stomp when you need the outdoors more than you need entertaining.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- 55 spaces on site (5 blue badge), free, no time restrictions
- Most paths are unsurfaced, so wet days mean proper mud, not a light drizzle inconvenience
- No toilets on site, plan a stop at Sandridge Village Hall
- Reachable by public transport as well as by car
- Bike parking is available if you're cycling over
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Nothing, entry is free.
Do we need to book?
No booking needed, you just turn up.
Is it OK for a buggy?
There's step-free access and the main paths are pushchair friendly, though they're unsurfaced so expect mud after rain.
Is there parking?
55 free spaces on site, including 5 blue badge bays, with no time restrictions. There's a grassed overflow car park too, but that can get muddy in wet weather.
What are the opening hours?
It varies through the year, from 8am to 8pm in summer down to 8am to 5pm in winter and early spring.
Are there toilets?
Not on site. The nearest are at Sandridge Village Hall.
What is there to actually do?
Waymarked walks, wildflower meadows and grassland to wander through, a community orchard, and wildlife spotting including birds of prey and rare species.
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