Bedgebury
Bedgebury is one of my favourite places in Kent. It’s truly beautiful all year round. For those who are wondering what Bedgebury is, it’s a pinetum based in Goudhurst in Kent. It’s one of those places that has the balance right between being tailored for visitors and preserving the natural beauty.
There’s so much to do at Bedgebury. One of our favourite activities here is the bike riding. It’s got both a family trail and a mountain biking trail. The family trail is about 10km long and has a great stopping point called Louisa Lake which is very picturesque, where you can stop for a quick swig of water or perhaps even a bite to eat, if you are carrying your picnic.
Depending on your level of ambition on the bike, they have mountain bike trails of around 12km. Everything is really well signposted and I love cycling amongst the trees. There’s even bike hire there if you don’t have your own bike. Last time we went, we decided to hire a tandem and do something a bit different. That was a lot of fun!
There’s also lots of other activities there including Go Ape, archery and some great kids play areas. Coupled with a café and some other facilities, you really do have everything for a great day out.
After our bike ride, we often walk around one of the trails and find somewhere picturesque and peaceful to have our picnic. There are a number of picnic benches dotted around the pinetum and it’s wonderful to walk around looking at all the majestic trees and greenery that surrounds you.
The pinetum is managed by the Forestry Commission and is a true natural beauty. It’s heart-breaking to think the storm of 1987 destroyed almost one third of the trees.
At just £10 to park all day, I think that Bedgebury offers really good value for money and not only that I love cycling and walking through the trees here.
If you’ve already visited Bedgebury and fancy another day out, why not try take a look at this great post with lots of lovely suggestions for woodland walks? I’m sure you’ll find one to suit.
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Wow! What a gorgeous place to spend the day. I love the idea of renting a tandem bike, my legs take the brunt of my disease and so a long ride is something I cannot do, but if my husband was there he could pedal for both of us! LOL I’m sure he’d love that! Thanks for sharing your fun, I’m living vicariously through you!
Yes, you should definitely hire a tandem then. The person on the front (aka your husband) won’t know you’re not even pedalling and you can give your legs their well earned rest.
Looks like a great day out for bikes, we visited when they had the Superworm trail on and thought the play areas were brilliant for children too. Very peaceful and picturesque. xx #Lovelythings
It is so peaceful isn’t it? Even if there are lots of families there, the noise doesn’t matter. I think it’s being amongst all that nature.
I would LOVE to go here. My other half would definitely go off and leave us for the mountain bike trail. Although I would really enjoy hiring a tandem. That sounds so cool.
Your pictures are so beautiful. It really does look like a stunning place to visit. I love how peaceful places like this are too.
Nothing beats a day out somewhere beautiful with a picnic outside and I’ve just seen in your comments that they often have Gruffalo trails! 😮 I’m feeling a potential staycation.
Have you done Go Ape before? We have one near us in Devon and part of me really wants to go and the other part is terrified. I’d love to know what it’s like. x
p.s. Please don’t forget to add the #whatevertheweather badge so other people can discover our new outdoors linky! 😀
If you love the outdoors, you’d love it there. The family bike trail is suitable for everyone so you could all have a cycle together. Yes there’s a lot to do around the area, the village of Goudhurst near by is very pretty and I think they have a nice tea room. You should definitely come for a little break. The hop farm isn’t a million miles away either.
Yes I’ve done Go Ape, only the Leeds Castle one, I keep meaning to go to the Bedgebury one, but haven’t got round it yet. I’m sure you’d love it, it’s so much fun. Here’s a link to an article about the Leeds Castle one – https://lifeloving.co.uk/go-ape-leeds-castle/ don’t delay. It’s brilliant. The zip wires are my favourite bits.
Badge is all added – not quite sure it wasn’t on there. Maybe it didn’t save the code! Oopsie.
This looks like a lovely day out, my husband would love it because he’s really into his bikes and my son is starting to share his passion 🙂 #lovelythings
Oh it’s such a beautiful place Laura. Perfect for bike riding, walking, there’s also a Gruffalo trail for the little ones at certain times of the year. We love the lakes, so pretty.
How lovely! Looks so wild (in a good way ;))
I hope you’ll link up your post with Idea Box:
http://milaslittlethings.com/2015/10/idea-box-thursday-link-party-31.html
xx
Mila
Hi Mila. Yes it is so green and lush! Thanks for stopping by. I’d love to come by and link up. See you soon.
These types of parks are my favorite. I can’t imagine a better way to spend the day. We have a lake 5 miles from our house and we visit a lot. Canoeing, hiking, biking, etc.
You are so lucky Mae. I’d love to live a bit closer to Bedgebury. It must be such a joy to be able to decide at a moment’s notice to enjoy all the lake has to offer.
A wonderful place for a day out! We love visiting forests and O is now learning how to pedal his own bike, so fingers crossed we’ll be doing a lot more family cycling once he’s got the hang of it. I can’t wait to do things like this, cycling around forests together! You’re photos are stunning!
Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
Thanks Jenny. The stunning location definitely helped with the photos. The lakes are particularly picturesque. What fun you’ll have on future family bike rides. One of ours got stolen so we are hiring at the moment until we get a replacement. But that did give us a chance to try the tandem!
This looks lovely, we live in Surrey, but often venture into Kent for the beautiful parks and woods. We went to hole park in the Spring. I love the idea of a tandem! I’ll have to mention this place to my hubby. Sarah #WhateverTheWeather
I don’t know hole park but I’ll have to check this out. You definitely should go. It’s very beautiful but even more special in autumn. Yes the tandem was a lot of fun. Make sure you go on the back so that your hubby can do all the pedalling. Ha ha!