Forest of Marston Vale

About

The Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park is a perfect day out for the family. 18km of level, surfaced paths wind around the lakes and woodlands of the Park, with the Tower Hide and Woodland Walkway (as well as our other hides) in the Wetlands Nature Reserve giving amazing views across the Park.

The Lakeside Café serves an array of meals, snacks and drinks and as the Forest Centre is open 362 days a year, there is always somewhere to stop off and refresh after a walk or bike ride, including our outdoor play area. The Park itself is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year on foot.

The Forest Centre is fully wheelchair and buggy accessible, with a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. There is a small charge for parking, which –like all money spent or donated at the Forest Centre - goes back into the creation of new woodlands and planting of trees across the Forest of Marston Vale.

The Forest of Marston Vale is a 61 sq mile Community Forest, set in an area that had historically seen large scale clay extraction for brick making, in what is otherwise a mostly rural area. It has left the area with many large lakes, which nature has taken over and created fantastic natural habitats. The Forest Centre, set in the stunning 225 hectare Millennium Country Park, is a fantastic facility for visitors. There is ample parking (inc for Blue Badge holders), an electric car charging post on site and the car park is adjacent to the Forest Visitor Centre, an ideal stopping point before or after you explore the wider park, with its cafe, gift shop, childrens play area and toilets.

The park itself has over 17kms of surfaced paths and bridleways to explore, on foot or by bike. There are bike hire facilities on site and young explorer packs are available from reception. Keen or amateur birdwatchers can access the designated nature reserve, for a small fee at the visitor reception. Route 51 of the National Cycle Network passes through the park and there are a large number of public footpaths including circular routes that start at the park. The park and facilities are run by a local charity and it shows with the passion and care they put into caring for the visitors as well as the park itself.