The British forests and woodland are a real thing of beauty, and they’re just waiting for your family adventures. So if you’re looking for a family day out this year, why not check out some of these fantastic walks? We’ve selected 15 forest and woodland walks around the UK, perfect for the whole family!

There are two options of map; OS Explorer has a scale of 1:25 000 and OS Landranger has a scale of 1:50 000. OS Explorer is more zoomed in and offers greater detail and information, but the OS Landranger covers a greater area.

If you’re planning you’re own route, but you’re not sure which map you need, then check out our Ordnance Survey online map finder here!

 

1. Grizedale Forest: Grizedale Tarn Circular, Cumbria, England

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland
• Distance: 4.55 km | Approx. Time: 1:25 hours

In the heart of the Lake District, you’ll find one of the most beloved areas of woodland in the UK. Grizedale is a firm favourite with many families, because there is so much to do. Here you’ll find walking trails, cycle trails, GO Ape locations, horse riding, mountain bike trails, sculptures to discover and play areas for the kids, places to go star gazing plus much more.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer OL07: English Lakes – South-eastern area / OS Landranger 96: Barrow-in-Furness & South Lakeland

You can download the route for this walk here.

2. Galloway Forest Park, Dumfries & Galloway

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland, Open
• Distance: 9.70 km | Approx. Time: 2:50 hours

Britain’s biggest forest park, Galloway Forest is often referred to as the ‘highlands of the lowlands’. With over 300 square miles of beauty on display, there’s plenty to do and see: As well as ancient woodland, stunning scenery, fantastic walks and cycle trails, Galloway Forest is also a registered dark skies park. Due to it’s remote nature, the skies above the park are fantastic for stargazing.

Maps to purchase for this route:

OS Explorer 318: Galloway Forest Park North / OS Landranger 77: Dalmellington & New Galloway

You can download the route for this walk here.

3. Hackfall Wood: Masham to Grewelthorpe, North Yorkshire, England

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland, Open
• Distance: 13.30 km | Approx. Time: 3:50 hours

Ancient woodland in the Ripon area of North Yorkshire which has recently been brought back to former glories. The wood features lovely walks, ancient temples and even a feature fountain to be discovered.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer 298: Nidderdale / OS Landranger 99: Northallerton & Ripon

You can download the route for this walk here.

4. Brechfa Forest: Brechfa Circular, Carmarthenshire, Wales

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland, Open
• Distance: 6.10 km | Approx. Time: 1:55 hours

Located near the Brecon Beacons and Cambrian Mountains, Brechfa Forest is a stunning area of ancient woodland, that offers up trails for all the activities you could hope for, including: walking, mountain biking and horse riding. Like so much of the Welsh woodland, Brechfa Forest is especially good for mountain biking, with trails for all abilities on offer.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer 186: Llandeilo & Brechfa Forest / Fforest Brechfa

OS Landranger 146: Lampeter & Llandovery/Llanbedr Pont Steffan a Llanymddyfri

You can download the route for this walk here.

5. Ashdown Forest: Pooh Walks Gills Lap, East Sussex, England

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland, Open
• Distance: 5.25 km | Approx. Time: 1:30 hours

One of the largest areas of free access space in the South East of England. Ashdown Forest is located in the High Weald area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but is more famous for the 1000 acre wood which were the birthplace of the Winnie the Pooh stories and proves popular with fans hunting out areas from the books. Ashdown Forest is also a great area for walking and horse riding.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer 135: Ashdown Forest / OS Landranger 188: Maidstone & Royal Tunbridge Wells

You can download the route for this walk here.

6. Tollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland

• Grade: Moderate
• Terrain: Woodland
• Distance: 14.40 km | Approx. Time: 4:30 hours

Northern Ireland’s very first state forest park, Tollymore sits at the bottom of the Mourne Mountains and near the coast. The Shimna river is a feature throughout the forest with 16 bridges of varying age crossing it throughout. There are 4 main walking routes in the forest of different lengths for you to try. Tollymore is also renowned as a fantastic picnic spot.

You can download the route for this walk here.

7. Kielder Forest: Bull Crag Peninsular, Northumberland, England

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland
• Distance: 10.35 km | Approx. Time: 2:55 hours

The largest man-made forest in England, Kielder Forest surrounds Kielder Village and Kielder Water reservoir making it a particularly picturesque and popular location. Bursting at the seams with activity for the whole family, the forest is ideal for walking, fishing, cycling, mountain biking, there’s even dark skies events for budding astronomers.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer OL42: Kielder Water & Forest / OS Landranger 80: Cheviot Hills & Kielder Water

You can download the route for this walk here.

8. Forest of Dean: Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire, England

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland
• Distance: 1.35 km | Approx. Time: 0:25 hours

Puzzlewood is an area of woodland within the Forest of Dean. Arguably one of the most magical looking areas of woodland in the UK, Puzzlewood features moss covered rocks with twisting and turning tree routes aplenty. It’s said that Puzzlewood was one of J.R.R Tolkein’s inspirations when creating the forests of Middle Earth in the Hobbit books. Puzzlewood does feature a small entry charge, but there is plenty for the whole family to discover on a day trip.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer OL14: Wye Valley & Forest of Dean / Dyffryn Gwy a Fforest y Ddena

OS Landranger 162: Gloucester & Forest of Dean

You can download the route for this walk here.

9. New Forest: Lyndhurst Circular Walk, Hampshire, England

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland
• Distance: 12.35 km | Approx. Time: 3:15 hours

We love the New Forest (so much so we covered it in our National Park series), and it’s because it’s such a stunning, family friendly area of the UK. There’s so much to see and do in new Forest, it’s no surprise it’s becoming a popular holiday destination for young families. One thing that makes New Forest stand out on this list, is that it’s the home to the New Forest ponies, which are (in a sense) wild, in that they’re allowed to roam free around the forest.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer OL22: New Forest / OS Landranger 196: The Solent & Isle of Wight

You can download the route for this walk here.

10. Sherwood Forest: Lenby Circular, Nottinghamshire, England

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland, Open
• Distance: 9.25 km | Approx. Time: 2:30 hours

Arguably the most famous forest in the UK? We’d say so. While it’s certainly not to the scale of some forests on this list, Sherwood Forest does come with it’s own legend in Robin Hood. While there, why not hunt out the Major Oak (pictured above) which is said to be between 800-1000 years old and the spot where Robin Hood and his Merry Men slept, it was also voted ‘Tree of the year’. Sherwood Forest was once a royal hunting reserve, and as with other forests like it has vast areas of open space as well as woodland areas.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer 270: Sherwood Forest / OS Landranger 120: Mansfield & Worksop

You can download the route for this walk here.

11. Argyll Forest Park: Puck’s Glen, Argyll and Bute, Scotland

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland
• Distance: 3.00 km | Approx. Time: 0:55 hours

Puck’s Glen offers the enchantment that many look for in a forest walk. Part of the Argyll Forest Park and named after the mischievous sprite in William Shakespeare’s ‘Midsummer Nights Dream’, Puck’s Glenn is a home to a real magical feel. A dark atmosphere of moist undergrowth and moss covered walls make for a stunning setting, and a walk through the gorge will lead you past waterfalls and more.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer OL37: Cowal East / OS Landranger 63: Firth of Clyde

You can download the route for this walk here.

12. Hainault Forest, Essex, England

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland
• Distance: 6.25 km | Approx. Time: 1:40 hours

A beautiful area of ancient woodland, once a royal hunting forest that is easily accessed from London. The Hainault Forest country park features a lake, orienteering course and even a petting zoo, making it an ideal spot for families. This area of woodland is also part of the three forests trail that has an 8 mile section which takes in Epping Forest, Hainault Forest and Hatfield Forest all in the area.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer 174: Epping Forest & Lee Valley / OS Landranger 177: East London

You can download the route for this walk here.

13. Fingle Woods, Devon, England

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland
• Distance: 7.15 km | Approx. Time: 2:20 hours

A coniferous and mixed woodland on the southern side of Teign Valley, near Dartmoor National Park. Fingle Woods is part owned by the National Trust and Woodland Trust and is always undergoing restoration to improve what is there. There are miles of walking routes around the woodland to enjoy and it’s well worth a visit.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer OL28: Dartmoor / OS Landranger 191: Okehampton & North Dartmoor

You can download the route for this walk here.

14. Glentress Forest: The Glentress Blue Route, Tweed Valley, Scotland

• Grade: Moderate
• Terrain: Woodland
• Distance: 16.40 km | Approx. Time: 2 to 4 hours (Mountain Bike)

The most popular forest location in the Tweed Valley, a real mountain biking mecca for those looking for an adventure on two wheels. The forest features mountain biking trails of all grades and difficulties, and if you don’t have a bike of your own – you can hire them there! If mountain biking isn’t your thing, Glentress also offers some lovely walks, taking in the River Tweed and through lush woodland.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer 337: Peebles & Innerleithen / OS Landranger 73: Peebles, Galashiels & Selkirk

You can download the route for this walk here.

15. Gwydyr Forest, Betws-y Coed

• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: Woodland
• Distance: 11.10 km | Approx. Time: 3:15 hours

An area of forest located within Snowdonia National Park that encompasses the village of Betws-y Coed, Gwydir forest proves popular with walkers and cyclists alike. The forest hosts many disused mines and miners tracks, which make up cycle tracks and walking routes to enjoy. The forest is divided by rivers and features a number of lakes, meaning there’s always something to look out for on your walk.

Maps to purchase for this route: OS Explorer OL17: Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa

OS Landranger 115: Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa

You can download the route for this walk here.

This is obviously just a glimpse into the green world of the UK forests and woodland, if there’s one thing that they all have in common it’s that they’re begging to be explored. Whether you like walking, cycling or family days out, our woodland areas have what you are looking for.

Have we missed off your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.

Before setting off on your adventure, ensure you have everything you need! From waterproofs and walking boots, to hydration packs and walking poles, here at Go Outdoors we have everything you need for all your outdoor pursuits.

Looking for more inspiration? Head to our blog to read more unbeatable content from us!