Toplodge Fineshade Wood

Top Lodge at Fineshade Woods is an ambitious partnership redevelopment project, which has used local and natural materials and the latest renewable energy design, to develop 18th Century buildings into a state of the art recreation and information complex.

The site offers visitors a unique opportunity to get inside the local environment, to explore it, to see local wildlife up close, and learn about local crafts and the heritage of the area. The visitor centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm, except during winter (8th Nov till 28th Jan) we close earlier Monday to Friday at 4pm. You can walk the trails then refresh yourself at the Lodge Cafe, or browse in the RSPB shop.

There are a host of activities and events throughout the year for people of all ages to enjoy. The vast majority of the materials used for the development were local and naturally sourced, including green oak and ash timber from sustainably-managed ancient woodlands. Sheep's wool has been used as eco-friendly roof insulation material. The site also has one of the biggest reed bed sewerage systems in the country, with an organic five-tier cleansing process, as well as a rain water collection system, and a wood-fuel heating system supplied from the surrounding forest.

If you've had fun on your family day out to Toplodge Fineshade Wood, tell us about it your visit, so other people will know it's a great place to go as well.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/toplodge