From walks to Segway tours to orienteering courses, Haldon Forest Park’s 3,500 acres are home to an exciting array of attractions for the young in years and young at heart.
Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or something a little more adrenaline-fuelled, there really is something for all interests and ages at Haldon Forest Park. Managed by Forestry England, the forest here is beautifully conserved yet full of exciting surprises, both big and small, so that visitors and wildlife alike can thrive in this luscious environment.
For a gentle way to get acquainted with the forest, there are all sorts of wonderful walks that you can enjoy, twisting and turning under leafy rooftops. The Butterfly Trail, 4 miles long, is a great one for wildlife-lovers, with over 30 species of butterfly having been recorded in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for the multi-coloured blur of butterflies as they dance past, including, if you’re lucky, Britain's rarest butterfly, the Pearl Bordered Fritillary.
The Discovery Trail is a good all-ability trail that is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs and is peppered with rest stops, viewpoints and fun features for children. At only 1.5 miles long, it’s a great one for little ones and the less mobile, meanwhile the 3.5-mile Raptor Trail offers up a few more challenges with steep ascents and hardy descents. Like the Butterfly Trail and Discovery Trail, the Raptor Trail is suitable for off-road mobility scooters which are available for hire through Forestry England.
With your appetite for adventure whetted, you are also free to challenge yourself with a whole range of activities. With four cycling trails and a cycle skills area, Nordic walking, horse riding, orienteering courses, Go Ape and Segway tours just some of things you can get involved in, you will never be short of options. Embrace the chance to try something new, before heading back to your luxury cottage to reward yourself with a hearty meal and well-deserved drink.
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Haldon Forest Park, Bullers Hill, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7XR | 0300 067 5826 | www.forestryengland.uk
