Blackwood Forest
Children will enjoy the play area, café, bike trails, picnic area, Beatrix Potter trail and trim trail on this walk.
The Basics
Time: 50 mins
Distance: 3.2 km
Terrain: Firm and flat woodland paths
Pushchair: Yes
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: The Retreat serving everything from takeaway snacks to full meals as well as picnic tables on the meadow
Toilets: Yes, at The Retreat
Parking: Follow the Forest Holiday signs from Larkwhistle Farm Road and go down the gravelled track. There is parking for non-residents near the start of the track, but you can drive on and park beside the reception, free (Postcode: SO21 3BG - W3W: idea/revamped/flex)
The tall beech trees of Blackwood Forest provide the ideal habitat for spring bluebells. Forest Holidays manage a collection of log cabins here, but you do not need to be on one of their breaks to be able to enjoy some of their excellent facilities and of course, the bluebells.
Blackwood Forest is primarily a Forest Holiday retreat with a number of wooden log cabins available to stay in. However, many of the facilities are also available to the general public. These include:
The café
Small play area
Meadow and picnic area
Walking trails in the forest
Bike trails (bike hire available)
Trim trail (although aimed at adults, there are some elements dotted throughout the walk which children will enjoy using)
Shop
Beatrix Potter Trail and Checkpoint, an outdoor escape room game (extra cost)
The Route
Head into The Retreat and pick up a printed map which details the walking and cycling trails. We chose the red route as we were advised this one has the best bluebells. The route is not marked on the ground, but we found it easy to follow using the map.
Begin the walk by entering the meadow to the left of the bug hotel. Follow the path around the right hand side of the meadow until you enter the woodland on the other side.
Turn immediately right when you enter the woodland and continue on the same path until you reach the edge of the forest and you see farmland on the other side of the trees.
Follow the path to your left and you will soon pass a beautiful old yew tree that stands out amongst the younger beech trees of the forest.
Continue on the same path until you reach the monkey bars which form part of the trim trail. Turn left here and stick with this path until you come to a cross paths with another old yew tree and another trim trail element. Go straight ahead here and then when you reach a T-junction, go left. Follow this path in a straight line back to the meadow.
Did you know?
Throughout the walk you will spot blue posts. Each one of these has a letter on it. If children record the letters, then at the end of the walk they can unscramble them to spell out the names of two of Blackwood Forest’s most common plants.
