Walkers will be lacing up their boots to get out on the National Forest Way

The opening of the National Forest Way marks the coming of age of The National Forest as a vibrant visitor destination.

The 75-mile trail uses existing public and permissive footpaths to explore the highlights of The National Forest, connecting visitor attractions with the aim of encouraging longer stays and return visitors.

The route extends over the length and breadth of The National Forest, through parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, linking the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire.

Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, said: “This is a very special moment in the development of The National Forest.  The new National Forest Way is an expression of how far we have come over the last twenty years and the early days of the Forest: creating habitats for wildlife, a woodland visitor economy and a beautiful landscape for all to enjoy.”

Walkers will experience an ever-changing landscape, rich in colour and sensory highlights: the birdsong, the scent of bluebells and the lush spring growth; the crunch of autumn leaves.

Walking forms a significant element of all holidays taken in England. James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland, said: “Walking is a wonderful way to explore this country and the National Forest Way provides new opportunities to entice visitors to The National Forest and experience all it has on offer, whether for a day trip, a short break or to tackle the length of trail. I applaud the National Forest Company and partners on their vision to create a sustainable destination and the development of fantastic visitor experiences.”

The trail is divided into twelve stages so that walkers can dip in for a day, walk for a weekend or take on the challenge of the whole 75 miles. Stage points are served by public transport where possible and link routes are provided into nearby towns.

The new trail provides opportunities for businesses to target this growing market of walking tourism. YHA National Forest, an eco-friendly, purpose-built hostel opened in 2007, is midway on the route and welcomes the opportunities this opens up.  YHA Chief Executive Caroline White said: “YHA recognised the potential of The National Forest to help develop its core audiences of young people and walkers when we committed to build a new Youth Hostel here. Now the National Forest Way passes our door we are perfectly placed to benefit from the extra visitors the investment in the National Forest Way will bring.”

The trail is supported by a fully responsive website, downloadable route descriptions and maps for each of the twelve stages – in either direction, as the route can be walked west to east or east to west – and clear waymarking on the ground.

The new trail has been created by a partnership of the National Forest Company and Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire County Councils, with the generous support of Fisher German and the valuable contribution of local landowners.

Ends

Media contacts:

Carol Rowntree Jones, Media Relations Officer, National Forest Company, 01283 551211 mob: 07870 568628 email: crowntreejones@nationalforest.org

Richard Drakeley, Tourism Development & Promotions Officer, National Forest Company, rdrakeley@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 Independent Panel on Forestry, in its final report published in July 2012, stated: 'The National Forest exemplifies how a long term, resourced and focused agenda can increase publicly accessible woodland in an area alongside other environmental and economic benefits.'

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.