Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest is a magnificent setting for walks and picnics and world leading collection of conifers, located near the villages of Lamberhurst and Goudhurst.
With some of the largest redwood trees in the UK, you can wonder through some incredible and rare specimens of forestry.
Explore the vast acres and the pretty lakes winding your way through the miles of trails and paths created to see the Pinetum at its best. It really is beautiful at any time of year since the majority of the trees are evergreen.
Bedgebury Forest features family cycling, mountain-biking, Go Ape high rope excitement, orienteering trails, horse-riding, walking, running and the most fun adventure play for all ages and abilities. The wooden ship is a great favourite with tunnels to hide in and sand to soften tip-toes ready to play hide and seek!
A day out surrounded by trees.
Explore exciting things to do at Bedgebury Pinetum
Plan your Bedgebury visit
Things to do at Bedgebury Pinetum.
Walking: Bedgebury Forest offers scenic walks for all ages, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for families and individuals alike. Choose gentle strolls and challenging hikes or explore self-guided trails, allowing you to set your own pace whilst more adventurous spirits can embark on longer forest walks. Bedgebury also offers specialised trails that guide walkers through the National Collection of Conifers, showcasing a remarkable variety of these majestic trees.
Cycling: Bedgebury’s cycle trails offer something for everyone, from beginners and families looking for a fun day out, to adrenalin junkies looking for a challenge.
Follow our 9km family cycle trail using shared-use forest road or 13km of single-track for mountain-biking, there’s lots to explore around this 2000 acre forest.
Horse riding: Bedgebury’s trails welcome all riders! Explore the expansive forest’s beauty on horseback, from gentle paths to scenic adventures. Riders can enjoy the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves against the forest floor while traversing scenic routes that unveil the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Well-maintained routes cater to every skill level, making it a perfect escape for beginners and experienced equestrians alike.
Bedgebury Café: Rest after your adventure at this family-run cafe! From a lodge-style wooden built café making food on site, they offer hot & cold meals (including vegetarian & vegan options, dairy-free and gluten-free) from 9am to 4pm daily. Enjoy local produce, cakes, and fairtrade drinks on the dog-friendly patio overlooking the lake. Here you’ll also find the Visitor Centre and toilets. Well behaved dogs are welcome in the atrium and information point.
Christmas at Bedgebury: Step into a winter wonderland like no other as Christmas at Bedgebury returns for 2025! Immerse yourself in a new, reimagined trail at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, created by the award-winning light trail producers behind events such as Christmas at Kew and Christmas at Blenheim. This year is an extra-special Christmas as Bedgebury National Pinetum celebrates its 100th birthday. Marvel at new awe-inspiring installations such as the delicately enchanting ‘Light as a Feather’; the warming glow of ‘Floating Candles’, and the harmonious ‘Choir of Trees.’ Find out more.
Family fun at Bedgebury.
Natural play trail – perfect for kids of all ages: Follow in the footsteps of the historic plant hunters on the natural play trail. Discover the Shipwreck; keep your balance on the Giant Rope Swing; or walk the plank at the Trading Post!
Pick up a map of the Play Trail on arrival or take a picture of the map in the car park. The play areas are also shown on the Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest map, which is available for £2 at the Information Point.
Go Ape – For anyone over 1m tall: Built for the whole family, with three different courses, there’s something for everyone. this is the ultimate tree top experience of wobbly bridges, intricate crossings and multiple awesome zipwires in the breath-taking scenery of Kent’s arboretum Bedgebury National Pinetum.
Family cycling routes – perfect for kids of all ages: There are two family friendly cycling routes at Bedgebury.
Stick Man activity trail at Bedgebury – Set off with a hop and twirl as you join Stick Man on his forest adventure. The interactive family trail follows Stick Man on his journey as he tries to get back to the family tree. Enjoy the wonderful world of Stick Man as you complete lots of fun stick-based activities, discover tree-mendous facts and learn about forest wildlife. Pick up an activity pack for £4 from the information point.
Dogs at Bedgebury.
Bedgebury welcomes well-behaved dogs inside the atrium, visitor centre and information point. The cafe is dog-free.
Dogs can be taken off the lead in the wider forest. More details in the Forest Dog Code.
