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The UK to Plant First National Forest in 30 Years: The Western Forest

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Updated on: April 4, 2025
Published on: April 4, 2025
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Exciting news for nature lovers and adventure-seeking families: the UK is set to unveil its first new national forest in three decades – the Western Forest! This ambitious project promises to transform parts of the West of England into lush woodlands, giving visitors a whole range of outdoor activities and environmental benefits!

Find out more below!

What is the Western Forest?

Listen up! The UK has revealed exciting plans to create a brand new national forest – the first in 30 years – that will span 2,500 hectares wide from the Cotswolds to the Midlands! Why? To meet their environmental target of increasing England’s woodland cover by 16.5% by 2025!

Over the next few decades, the government are pledging to plant over 20 million trees to create The Western Forest! Not only that, but it’s set to encompass areas in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Bristol, too! This green corridor will weave through urban centres like Bristol, Gloucester, Salisbury, and Swindon, bringing nature closer to over 2.5 million residents.

Benefits for Families

For families, the Western Forest will have more than just picturesque landscapes:

  • Outdoor Adventures: With vast woodlands and trails, families can enjoy activities like hiking, cycling, and picnicking amidst nature!
  • Educational Opportunities: The forest serves as a living classroom, teaching children about ecology, conservation, and the importance of biodiversity.
  • Health and Well-being: Spending time in green spaces has been linked to improved mental and physical health for adults and children.

The project will be led by the Forest of Avon, backed by a £7.5 million government investment over the next five years. It marks the first of three new national forests pledged in the government’s long-term environmental manifesto.

As the first of three brand-new national forests promised in the government’s green pledge, the Western Forest is set to be a game-changer – not just for people, but for nature too! Expect flourishing woodlands, buzzing bees, chirping birds, and happy hedgehogs as new habitats are created and wildlife gets a wild new playground to call home.

So, if you’re a nature bug and love to walk and explore the outdoors, be prepared for a wonderful and NEW national forest coming in the foreseeable future!
autumn forest

Whether you’re a nature lover, wildlife watcher, or just someone who enjoys a good woodland wander, the arrival of the Western Forest is seriously exciting. It’s not just trees being planted – it’s a whole new chapter for UK wildlife, outdoor adventures, and greener futures. Keep your walking boots ready… the forest is coming! 🌳🦔🌿

Why not check out the brand-new play area in the Midlands? Check out Go Ape Sherwood Pines for a thrilling adventure, and visit Robin Hood’s Wheelgate Park for an epic play area! Looking for more brand-new attractions this year? We’ve got all the info on a new Travelling Theme Park and the new Traitors Live Experience!