Haldon Forest Park

Things To Do at Haldon Forest Park

Entertaining the kids

If 3,500 acres of forest to explore isn’t enough, don’t worry – we’ve got plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained. For little explorers, head out onto the kids' activity trail for fun and adventure. Activity packs are available from the Info Pod. Slightly older adventurers will enjoy challenging themselves with our Gruffalo orienteering course as they navigate their way between control points. Maps are available from the Info Pod.

To burn off some energy, bring their bikes (or hire them on-site) to work up a sweat on our cycling and mountain biking trails. For those with a head for heights, check out the Go Ape Treetop Adventure, which will leave everyone with a sense of achievement.

Walking

Whether you’re looking for play and adventure or a bit of peace and quiet to observe the wildlife, Haldon Forest Park has the perfect walking trail for you. The Discovery Trail is shared between walkers and beginner cyclists, with plenty of seating stops and stunning views. It is also home to our kids' activity trail. For a more immersive forest walk, choose from the waymarked Raptor trail or Butterfly trail, or make up your own route. Visitors with reduced mobility can explore the forest with one of our off-road mobility vehicles, available to hire via the Countryside Mobility scheme. Our easy-to-use scooters can tackle forest terrain come rain or shine.

For a walk with an added challenge, test your map navigational skills against Haldon Forest Park’s orienteering course. We have graded routes for everyone from complete beginner (white) to advanced (brown). Purchase your maps from the Info Pod (£1.50) or download them for free before you visit. For younger explorers, try our Gruffalo Orienteering course with special Gruffalo-themed controls hidden along the Discovery Trail. Maps are available from the Info Pod for £1.50. White, yellow, orange, and Gruffalo orienteering courses are accessible for off-road mobility vehicles.

Dogs at Haldon Forest Park

Dogs love Haldon Forest with exciting sights smells to explore and plenty of shade on hot summer days. There is always fresh doggy drinking water in the forest visitor hub, and some of our picnic tables have tie rings to keep four-legged family members secure while you eat. For happy times and waggy tails, please check out our guide for dogs in the forest.

Go Ape at Haldon Forest Park

Scale the heights of the treetops with daring crossings, wobbly bridges, and zip wires. Choose from the Treetop Adventure for younger thrill seekers or the Treetop Challenge for older adrenalin junkies. Pre-booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

Accessible Haldon Forest Park

For any help planning your visit to Haldon Forest Park, please contact us via haldon.rangers@forestryengland.uk or 0300 067 5826. Haldon Forest Park is a sunflower-friendly destination and our friendly team has complete disability awareness training. Our all-terrain mobility scooters are available to anyone aged 14+ who requires mobility support – you do not need to be registered disabled. To enquire about adaptive bikes, please contact the expert team at Forest Cycle Hire on info@forestcyclehire.co.uk or 01392 833768.

Food & Drink

After your forest adventure, refuel at the Ridge Cafe. You’ll be spoiled for choice with delicious homemade light bites, locally-made cakes, and hot and cold drinks. Or bring your own picnic to enjoy in your favourite spot. There are picnic benches dotted throughout the forest, or pick a peaceful spot among the trees. Top up your water bottles with our free refill station next to the toilet block. To help us prevent wildfires, please never light a BBQ or fire in the forest.