Summer fun for all in the nation’s forests – without breaking the bank!
Summer fun for all in the nation’s forests – without breaking the bank!
Looking for amazing days out that won't empty your wallet this summer? Forestry England has got you covered! The nation's forests are bursting with affordable adventures for the whole family throughout the school holidays.
From magical woodland trails to thrilling outdoor activities, the nation’s beautiful forests offer endless possibilities for creating special memories – many completely free of charge!
Hayley Skipper, Head of Recreation at Forestry England, said:
Here's what's happening in wonderful woodlands across Cumbria this summer:
Meet the Gruffalo!
Who’s hiding in the deep, dark wood?
Give your little ones a day to remember this summer as they meet the star of the much-loved story at Whinlatter Forest (Wednesday 6 August) and Grizedale Forest (Thursday 7 August). With fun activities available alongside a whole forest to explore there’s fun for all the family!
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Say hello to Stick Man!
"I'm Stick Man, I'm Stick Man, I'm Stick Man – that's me!"
The star of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved story is waiting to meet you at Whinlatter Forest (Thursday 14 August) and Grizedale Forest (Friday 15 August) this summer. Join in fun forest activities, and don't forget your camera for a selfie with the character himself!
Stick Man family adventure trails
Families can enjoy a magical woodland adventure with Stick Man this summer. These specially designed activity trails, running across 26 forests in England, including Whinlatter and Grizedale, invite young explorers to help Stick Man find his way back to the family tree.
Along the route, children can enjoy nine interactive activity stations and six spotter panels, where they'll build with sticks, learn about forest wildlife, and discover the wonders of woodland birds and their nests. For just £4, families can buy an activity pack including materials to create their own Stick Man and a special passport to collect stamps during their forest adventure. The activity pack provides hours of entertainment, making it excellent value for money.
Cost: £4 per activity pack. Parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Join Wallace and Gromit for the ultimate forest walkies!
Get ready for a cracking adventure with Wallace and Gromit this summer! Take on fun crossword clues and explore the great outdoors on the Forest Walkies with Wallace & Gromit routes – and you could even win an amazing dog-friendly holiday.
Available at Grizedale and Whinlatter Forests, the routes are packed with games, challenges, and plenty of laughs for the whole family – including your dog! Don’t have a four-legged friend? No problem! From this summer, the trail includes a new Find Feathers McGraw activity, making it just as fun for humans too.
To join the fun, simply use the free OS Maps app to follow the trail and uncover a series of panels, each featuring a different challenge and a crossword clue to solve.
Be sure to download the route on OS Maps before you head out, and don’t forget to pick up your Forest Walkies with Wallace & Gromit pack before you set off. It’s full of tips, activities, and ideas to make your woodland adventure truly unforgettable!
Cost: £5 per Forest Walkies pack. App: Free. Parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Go on a family bike ride
With over 2,500km of cycling trails and family-friendly off-road routes, the nation’s forests are the perfect destination for a family cycle this summer. Discover green spaces, dedicated cycling trails and beginner mountain bike trails perfect for starting your children on their cycling journey. So, grab your helmet and head out for a beautiful cycle ride.
Grizedale and Whinlatter Forests offer a selection of singletrack and forest road routes and with bike and ebike hire available you can go even further!
Cost: Free, bike hire charges and parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Snap a family selfie – new forest running photo frames!
Whether you’re jogging, running, or anything in between our brand-new Forest Runner selfie frame at Whinlatter Forest is the perfect way to celebrate your family’s forest running adventures!
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Find the Gruffalo sculptures
Enjoy a fun family day out this half-term as you search for the characters from Julia Donaldson's classic story, The Gruffalo, in the deep dark wood.
Your children will love meeting Mouse, Owl, Fox, Snake and Squirrel as well as the Gruffalo themself at Whinlatter as you explore through the forest.
Brand new for 2025: Can you find the Gruffalo at Grizedale Forest? Keep your eyes peeled as you head out along the Ridding Wood trail!
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Find a walking trail
The nation’s forests have hundreds of walking trails for you and your family to explore. From mountain hikes for keen adventurers to gentle streamside strolls and short play trails for younger family members, there’s a walk for everyone.
Why not pack a picnic? Wherever you are in the country, you’re never far from an unforgettable outdoor dining spot – from babbling brooks to open heathland and lofty crags.
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Go on a wildlife spotting adventure
Turn your family walk into an exciting wildlife hunt! The nation's forests are home to amazing creatures from tiny mini-beasts to majestic roe deer. Download Forestry England's free spotter sheet to help children track and record their discoveries. This easy, cost-free activity brings nature to life and creates lasting memories for the whole family.
Ssh! Lucky visitors to Whinlatter might just spot a Red Squirrel from the Wow trail nature hide!
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Play in the forest
Scramble, slide and swing your way around our play areas this summer! From adventure play zones to natural equipment, our amazing play areas are great for kids (and grown-ups!) to burn off energy. Whinlatter’s Wild Play trail offers your little ones a forest adventure with nine different play zones. Grizedale’s play area is handily placed next to the picnic area and café, making it perfect to rest and refuel before heading out to explore further into the forest.
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Gruffalo orienteering
Challenge your family with Gruffalo orienteering! Available at Grizedale and Whinlatter Forests, this low-cost navigational activity lets children and adults work together to find twelve Gruffalo markers hidden throughout the woodland.
Armed with a simple map, you'll explore the deep dark wood while developing valuable skills in map reading and decision making. Answer fun questions at each marker and race to see who can complete the trail first. Perfect for families with children of all ages - no previous experience needed!
Cost: £1.50 per Gruffalo orienteering leaflet, including map and certificate. Parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
With adventurous play areas, safe off-road family cycling, activity trails and beautiful picnic areas, the nation’s forests offer a fantastic family day out. Visit www.forestryengland.uk for further information.
