I was recently asked if I would like to become an official forrest blogger.
Now I happen to think there is something quite magical and beautiful about woods and forrest and it is a place to run wild and free and let your imagination run away with you too. So, inevitably, I said yes please and thanks very much!
I was asked, as part of my new role, to visit my nearest Forestry Commission which is just outside Exeter at Haldon Forrest Park. With 3,500 acres of woodland there is plenty to see and explore
and you can go by foot (dogs welcome), horse, by bike or even by segway if you feel like it! The woodland has been split up into several walkways and bike trails , and depending on how adventurous you are feeling will determine which pathway you decide to take.
We arrived at the forrest one Saturday morning and it was freezing! Still, it was dry and sunny and we were wrapped up well. We hired some bikes which costs £12 per adult bike, and £8 for a trailer and this price was for four hours. OH tried out a recumbent bicycle.
We decided to take the easiest cycle route (about 3 miles) which was just aswell because both boys moaned most the way round (I told their Daddy we should have eaten first!) and it took longer than it would have normally!
Jenson normally sits on a child seat so he want keen on the trailer to start with but he ended up falling asleep in it after lunch!
The scenery we cycled through and the views we could see were just stunning!
Along the way we spotted lots of colours, textures, and even some wood carvings which made it really interesting. Although it was the final weekend in November, there were still a few reminders of the Autumn that was with its beautiful colours
By the time we arrived back at the Hub (the area where the cafe, toilets, bike hire and ranger reside) we had all worked up an appetite.
The Ridge Cafe offers a great menu filled with hot home cooked meals (starting at £5.50), sandwiches or toasted sandwiches with several fillings. There are also kids meals and prices start from just £2.50 for a child’s portion of beans on toast (which is what Jenson ate). Burton and I had a fishfinger sandwich each and Daddy had a sweet chilli chicken wrap and chips. There is a wide selection of hot and cold drinks (proper coffees are served) and a fabulous array of home made cakes and bakes!
The cafe has a cosy rustic interior which is heated by a wood burner and there is also a decked patio area, with a roof, which is ideal for smokers and people with dogs – although not as warm as inside!
After our food fuel and a ‘natural’ break (two in Burton’s case!) we headed back on our bikes to an area near the Go Ape activity
as we had spotted some potential Burton climbing apparatus! So while Jenson napped, Burton and I did some exploring!
I tried the recumbent out for size much to Burton’s amusement
All in all despite the cold weather we enjoyed our trip tot Haldon Forest and we will definitely return again now we know about it. There is so much to see and do and if we make sure we go back each season, the boys will get to see the changes which occur as a result in the change in seasons, and learn about what takes place in nature too.
It was a great family day out and we all enjoyed ourselves and it was nice to be away from it all, and spend time as a family.
There are always events happening at the Forestry Commision, so to discover your nearest Forest and find out what it has to offer please do check out the website
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Thank you xx
Thank you xx
I do miss woods, Leo would love running around there. Not sure about that bike though!! Loving all the photos as usual though, you capture it so well – I can even feel the cold coming through!
We did our local one a few weeks ago and similarly had a lovely time, a great excuse to leave the farm and go somewhere new. Having Go Ape as well is a bonus, mine would love to try that as they are just coming up the perfect age. Thank you for linking up, the woods is such a perfect Country Kids post!
Wonderful pics – really makes me want to go especially for the tunnel of trees xx
I love going to the woods, looks like fun to explore it by bike too! Photos look great despite the cold weather x
http://www.forestcyclehire.co.uk
f-o-r-e-s-t 😀