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When planning a relaxing getaway, many of us think first of a beach break. But forest holidays are fast becoming a favourite for those seeking to unplug from everyday life and connect with nature.
Studies show that time spent in forests brings numerous benefits, including lower stress levels and blood pressure, improved mental health, and enhanced immune function.
The beauty of forest holidays is that they can suit any pace. Some people may choose to fill their days with thrilling activities like mountain biking and trail running, while others might prefer unwinding with gentler pursuits like wildlife walks or lounging on a hammock under the bewitching forest canopy.
What’s more, heading into the wilderness doesn’t mean you’ll be roughing it, as there’s plenty of lavish woodland accommodation all over the UK – think cosy log cabins with bubbling hot tubs.
Here, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best UK destinations for an unforgettable forest holiday. Read on to be inspired, or use the button below to search for forest holiday deals.
1. Glentress Forest, Scottish Borders
For an adventurous forest holiday, it’s worth considering Glentress Forest. This 3,800-acre woodland, just south of Edinburgh, is home to some of the UK’s best mountain biking trails, which descend through rows of towering spruce and pines. But if cycling isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other exciting activities on offer, including horse riding and a treetop rope course.
Glencress is also an ideal location for a slower holiday. Fantastic walking trails wind around aquamarine ponds and along hilltop ridges, offering spectacular views over the verdant Tweed Valley, and birdwatchers can go in search of owls, kestrels, and ospreys. The nearby riverside town of Peebles is also well worth a visit.
2. Blackwood Forest, Hampshire
Just over an hour from London, Blackwood Forest is one of the UK’s most picturesque woodlands, no matter the time of year. In spring, carpets of bluebells unfurl under the beech tree canopies, while autumn welcomes a mosaic of fiery colours. In summer, gin-clear chalkstreams shimmer in golden sunlight, while the frosty winter conditions are invigorating, whether admired on a walk or from the bone-warming comfort of an outdoor hot tub.
However, there’s more to Blackwood Forest than natural beauty. Foodies can sample some of England’s finest cheese and sparkling wines at Hambledon Vineyard, and history buffs can explore nearby Salisbury Cathedral and Jane Austen’s home in Chawton village. There’s also plenty of exciting activities for all ages, from archery and clay pigeon shooting to survival and wildlife workshops with a forest ranger.
3. Eyri (Snowdonia) National Park
Eyri (Snowdonia) National Park is a go-to destination for nature enthusiasts for a reason. Its hiking trails and adventure activities (from watersports to ziplining) are some of the best in the UK. But, as well as its famous rugged peaks and glacial lakes, this scenic hinterland is home to enchanting swathes of woodland that are ideal for a tranquil getaway.
Eyri’s woodlands set the scene for much of the region’s folklore and mythology, and it’s easy to imagine fairy folk (Tylwyth Teg) hiding amongst the lichen-covered logs and dew-slickened boulders. Thrill seekers can descend into cavernous copper mines strewn with striking rock formations, and if you choose your accommodation carefully, great beaches, like Black Rock Sands, are just a short drive away, offering you the best of both landscapes.
4. Delamere Forest, Cheshire
Delamere Forest, less than an hour’s drive from Liverpool and Manchester, is famous for its patchwork of bogs, marshes, and fen wetlands created by the last Ice Age. These landscapes are home to some of the UK’s most unique wildlife – from beavers and adders to large heath butterflies and white-face darter dragonflies – so it’s a great staycation destination for animal lovers.
Another reason to visit Delamere Forest is the sheer number of activities on offer. Not tempted by bike hire? You can explore the trails on horseback or Segways, and the nine-hole disc golf course offers competitive family fun. Kids can also take part in the Gruffalo orienteering course or Forest Walkies with Wallace and Gromit, an interactive trail with games and challenges that you can complete with your pooch.
5. Deerpark, Cornwall
Cornwall is often lauded for its white sand beaches and charming fishing villages, but it’s also home to fantastic forests filled with fern-fringed streams, flourishing local wildlife, and enigmatic ancient sites. Plus, due to the county’s long, thin shape, whichever Cornish woodland you stay in, you won’t be far from the coast if you fancy a day trip to the beach.
At the heart of Deerpark, a serene slice of woodland in Northern Cornwall, you’ll find a quaint millpond hemmed by cosy cabins. Visitors can relax on the cabin terraces and watch the blue streaks of kingfishers dart over the viridescent water, or venture along hiking trails into the green surroundings to spot naturally roaming roe deer. Further afield, the windswept wilds of Bodmin moor and idyllic seaside villages of Looe and Polperro await.
6. Loch Lubnaig, The Trossachs
Positioned at the gateway to the Highlands, Loch Lubnaig is a sheltered stretch of freshwater ringed by emerald forests and spiralling Scottish peaks. Its glassy waters are ideal for open-water swimming and paddling activities, like kayaking and canoeing, and anglers can set their sights on trout, perch, and wild salmon.
However, water-based activities are just the beginning. Away from the comfort of your lochside lodge, the surrounding mountains of Benvane, Ben Ledi, and Ben Vorlich beckon intrepid adventurers. Cyclists will also be happy to hear that the National Cycle Network’s Route 7 passes along the loch’s western shore, which follows the path of the former Callander and Oban Railway.
7. Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Beneath the Forest of Dean’s captivating beauty is a fascinating history. This ancient oasis of green, nestled between the Rivers Wye and Severn, was a stomping ground for royals even before the Norman Conquest of 1066, and much of its timber was used to build warships during Tudor times. Today, wild boars snuffle through the undergrowth, and the knocks of woodpeckers sound through the trees.
No trip here is complete without a visit to Symonds Yat Rock, a lofty viewpoint offering panoramic views and a good chance of spotting peregrine falcons, goshawks, and buzzards. With hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, plenty of picturesque villages, and more than enough countryside pubs and eateries scattered throughout the lush region, there’s something for everyone in the Forest of Dean.
8. Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
Eyri isn’t the only Welsh National Park suitable for a forest holiday. In the south, Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) is home to diverse forests, from ancient woodlands to conifer plantations. Amongst this spellbinding greenery, visitors will find tumbling waterfalls, historical sites like Iron Age hillforts and Roman ruins, and plenty of unique wildlife.
From dizzying peaks like Pen y Fan to labyrinthine cave systems, Bannau Brycheiniog’s natural wonders are its main draw. However, vibrant towns and villages, such as literature-loving Hay-on-Wye and culinary hotspot Abergavenny, also offer unforgettable cultural experiences. When choosing accommodation, it’s worth looking for somewhere not covered by a thick canopy, as the area also offers some of the UK’s best stargazing.
9. Thorpe Forest, Norfolk
To combine your woodland retreat with plenty of time by (or on) the water, you might like to consider Norfolk’s Thorpe Forest. This Edenesque landscape of timberland and flourishing heaths is perfectly positioned for you to set sail along the Norfolk Broads, visit the sweeping sands and bustling promenade of Great Yarmouth, or spot seals at Blakeney Point.
However, staying in such beautiful surroundings, you might prefer to stay within the borders of Thorpe Forest. Wildlife enthusiasts may be interested to learn that, among the varied wildlife here, visitors can spot three of the UK’s reptile species, like common lizards and grass snakes. Thrill seekers are well catered for, too, with activities like quad biking and tree climbing on offer.
10. Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
With around 350,000 visitors each year, Sherwood Forest doesn’t offer visitors as isolated an experience as some of the other destinations on this list. However, what it lacks in seclusion, it makes up for in activities and unforgettable sights. For example, there are hundreds of centuries-old oaks in this once royal hunting ground, including the iconic Major Oak, estimated to be approximately 1,000 years old.
Family-friendly activities abound here, such as bug hunts and guided walks led by costumed characters, and children will undoubtedly be fascinated by tales of Sherwood’s most famous resident, Robin Hood. Adults may enjoy visiting nearby sites like Rufford Abbey, a well-preserved Cistercian abbey, and Creswell Crags, a plunging limestone gorge with cave engravings dating back 13,000 years.
Final thoughts…
From historic woodlands like Sherwood Forest and the Forest of Dean to isolated wildernesses like Glentress Forest and Loch Lubnaig, there are plenty of wonderful destinations for a forest holiday in the UK.
So, whether you’re seeking thrilling adventure, wildlife-spotting opportunities, pristine natural beauty, or a quiet place to sit back and be with your thoughts, why not consider a forest holiday for your next getaway?
Ready to book your forest holiday?
Are you inspired by any of these destinations? Or have you been on a forest holiday and want to share your experiences? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.