Tickets for this year's National Forest Wood Fair in Leicestershire are now on sale: buy in advance and save 20% of the admission charge on the day.

This year sees the tenth anniversary year of the National Forest Wood Fair and over 100 demonstrators and exhibitors will be at the event on Bank Holiday Monday 25 August. There will be a packed programme of have-a-go activities, demonstrations of woodland crafts and timber machinery and loads of lovely items to buy made from sustainably sourced wood.

It's a great day out for all the family and perfect for those who love trees and woodlands. Held in the stunning setting of Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire, visitors to the Wood Fair will enjoy wonderful views over the growing National Forest.

Expert woodturners, sculptors and greenwood craftworkers share their tips in a series of woodworking masterclasses. The Forest Food Festival offers forest-inspired cookery demonstrations and an array of delicious locally-sourced food and drink on sale throughout the day.

Richard Drakeley, Tourism Development and Promotions Officer for the National Forest Company, said: “This tenth anniversary Wood Fair is going to be really something! We have a great range of exhibitors and by booking online in advance visitors can save money: where else can you get a day out for a family for just £20?”

Tickets on the day will cost £9 (adult), £6 (concession), family £25.00 (two adults and up to three concessions). Buy in advance online at www.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk and save 20%: get a family day out for £20.

The National Forest Wood Fair is organised by the National Forest Company in partnership with Leicestershire County Council, and supported by local business Coalville-based Vitax, one of the UK's leading specialists in the manufacture of garden and horticulture products.  The National Forest Wood Fair takes place at Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire, just five minutes from the M1 motorway, junctions 22 and 23.

For more information see www.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk

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Media contact:  Carol Rowntree Jones, Media Relations Officer, National Forest Company, 01283 551211 email: crowntreejones@nationalforest.org

For more information on The National Forest see www.nationalforest.org

Digital images are available. Contact media@nationalforest.org

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The National Forest area covers 200 square miles of the counties of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.  Its objective is to increase woodland cover within its boundaries from an initial six per cent to about a third. No multi-purpose forest on this scale has been created in the UK for one thousand years. To date the proportion of woodland cover in the Forest has more than trebled to 19.5 per cent and in 2012 HRH the Duke of Cambridge planted the eight millionth tree in the Forest.

2. Year by year, The National Forest has been steadily turning what was once one of the least wooded areas of England into a multi-purpose, sustainable forest. The National Forest provides environmental, social and economic benefits, including landscape enhancement, creation of new wildlife habitats and major new access and leisure opportunities. It is an excellent example of sustainable development – with environmental improvement providing a stimulus both to economic regeneration and to community pride and activity.

3. To achieve these objectives, the National Forest Company leads the creation of The National Forest, working in partnership with landowners, local authorities, private business, voluntary organisations and local communities and has strong support from Government, politicians and the public. The Company receives grant in aid from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

4. The National Forest Company's Triennial Review by Central Government in 2013 stated: “Many [stakeholders] stressed the need for the continued role of the NFC to maintain momentum and ensure that the long term aims for The National Forest are achieved. The importance of a 'truly sustainable landscape scale project' was stressed, with the need for continued objectives across a wide agenda including economic growth, woodland culture and habitat networks.”

5. In 2008, the National Forest Company and partners won the inaugural Sustainable Development UK Award, for their work in Ashby Woulds, at the heart of The National Forest.