GO TO TOWN Ashby de la Zouch – battlements and bazaars Lose yourself amongst the remains of Ashby’s fascinating 15th-century castle. Elsewhere, browse Ashby’s market and independent shops, visit the town’s intriguing museum or take a dip in the seasonal outdoor lido at Hood Park Leisure Centre.
Attractions GUIDE Great places to visit, hidden treasures, attractions and events across parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire
IT’S GREAT OUTDOORS Pull on your walking boots: Try one of our 22 circular walks or take on the 75-mile National Forest Way. In spring, enjoy a bluebell walk at Lodge Hill Bluebells or join a guided walk as part of the National Forest Walking Festival in May.
Welcome to the
NATIONAL FOREST
Swap two feet for two wheels: Experience the Forest by bike: bring your own or hire one from Hicks Lodge: the National Forest Cycle Centre or Rosliston Forestry Centre. Woodlands Explore one of our many woodlands including the Woodland Trust’s flagship Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood, Leicestershire County
Burton upon Trent – beer and football Long Britain’s beer capital, a tour of the National Brewery Centre and Marston’s Brewery provide insights into its heritage. You can get active in the Meadowside Leisure Centre, while just outside of the town lies St George’s Park, home of the FA’s National Football Centre and key to England’s sporting future.
Council’s Beacon Hill Country Park, Donisthorpe Woodland Park & Snibston Country Park and Forestry Commission’s Sence Valley Forest Park. Go fishing: Fishing is available at Springwood Fisheries in Lount and Beehive Farm Woodland Lakes in Rosliston as well as other venues listed overleaf. Run wild: The Forest hosts two popular parkruns at Conkers and Rosliston. Endurance runners will also enjoy the Go Ultra challenge events.
Walk free in the
Swadlincote – clay and coalmining Famous for coal and clay mining the town today has a variety of offerings all framed by woodland,
to suit every taste. The Pipeworks, in the heart of the town centre, boasts a cinema, food & drink and retail outlets. Coalville – collieries and countryside Coalville owes its existence to the coal industry, dating back to medieval times. Today, wildlife is returning to Coalville’s former industrial sites, as is shown by a visit to Snibston Country Park or the Grange Nature Reserve.
BEAUTIFULLY RELAXING SPAS
Melbourne– abbey and arts This attractive Georgian town not only has a rich history - with imposing 12th-century church, 14thcentury castle ruins, 18thcentury Melbourne Hall and, nearby Calke Abbey – it’s also a bustling market town with local produce, galleries, antiques shops and clothing alongside a wide range of restaurants, cafes and bistros.
FOREST
Roots to the
Spending a whole day at one of our luxurious spas is pure, pampering heaven. Whether you need the calming influence of a short break or just a quick fix with some individual treatments, here are some places that can help you really relax and recharge: Hoar Cross Hall, near Burton upon Trent, a spa resort set in a Grade II stately home. Champneys, the original health spa set in 31 acres
of beautiful parkland near Ashby de la Zouch. Reeds Health Club & Spa at the Best Western Premier Yew Lodge Hotel sits in the heart of Kegworth village and boasts Marco Pierre White cuisine. Visit the Health Club & Spa at St George’s Park, home to the FA’s National Football Centre near Burton upon Trent, to sample a few treatments, sauna, and steam room in a contemporary setting.
PAST
Quench your
THIRST
Timber The International Forest Festival
6/7/8 July 2018 In the heart of the National Forest
timberfestival.org.uk
Tourist Information Centres Ashby de la Zouch, North Street, Ashby de la Zouch LE65 1HU Tel: 01530 411767 Email: ashby.tic@nwleicestershire.gov.uk Swadlincote, Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, West Street, Swadlincote DE11 9DG Tel: 01283 222848 Email: tic@sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk
Photo credits: the National Forest partners and venues, 2020 Vision/Ben Hall, Chris Beech, Ian Kenny, Jacqui Rock, Kevin Tebutt & Wild Rumpus/Teneight. The paper used for this publication is an FSC certified product produced at an ISO 9001 certified mill.
To help plan your visit and browse accommodation venues in the National Forest please visit visitnationalforest.co.uk
Spread over three counties and covering 200 square miles, the National Forest is a wonderfully varied landscape that is greening the heart of the country. Spend some time here and you can explore ancient forests and newly planted woodland mixed with wild flower meadows and rugged rocky uplands. But take a closer look and you’ll find there’s much more to discover. Whether you are interested in history and heritage, family fun, arts
and crafts or just looking for somewhere to go for a relaxing stroll or cycle along beautiful paths and trails, this guide can give you some inspiration for a day out or longer stay.
TEMPTING TREATS You’ll find local produce at farmers’ markets in Ashby de la Zouch, (3rd Sunday of the month), Castle Donnington (2nd Saturday) and Burton upon Trent, (2nd Thursday). Alternatively, visit one of our fabulous farm shops like Betty’s Farm and Shop in Willington, Cattows Farm Shop in Heather, Hill Farm Shop in Packington and Scaddows near Ticknall.
Wander through
BLUEBELLS
Thirsty? In Burton upon Trent, the home of beer, you can whet your whistle at the Burton Bridge Brewery or the William Worthington, at the National Brewery Centre.
Time for another? Other breweries in the Forest include the Tap House near Ashby de la Zouch, Boot Beer Brewery in Repton, Tollgate Brewery at Calke Abbey, and the John Thompson Inn, Ingleby, home to the oldest microbrewery in the country. Alternatively, why not tour Burleighs Gin Distillery in Nanpantan for a tot of their London Dry Gin.
CREATIVITY GROWS ON TREES Make pottery personal and paint it at The Mug Tug at Barton Marina, The Mug Tug Too at Mercia Marina, Crackpotz Ceramic Café in Alrewas, Paint a Pot Craft Studios at the Ferrers Centre and Chatterbox Ceramic Café in Tutbury. Continuing the art theme, there’s the annual Festival of the Creative and Performing Arts in Melbourne during September, the vibrant Ashby Arts Festival in May and the new Timber Festival in July where music, art, philosophy
and sustainability will weave together into an exhilarating weekend in the heart of the Forest. For music fans, there’s Download, Bearded Theory and Bloodstock festivals and for the foodies there’s the Edible Forest in September and the popular Sausage & Cider Festivals. For a full list of events see visitnationalforest.co.uk or contact a Tourist Information Centre.
Make magical
MOMENTS