Lodge Hill Bluebells, at Yoxall, Staffordshire, opens in April and will offer bluebell walking trails through 20 acres of mature woodland, a pop-up café, lawn games and plenty of space for families to enjoy time together. It's the latest business to sign up to The National Forest's 'forestlife' campaign.

'Forestlife' is an expression of all the good things to do and see throughout the 200 square miles of the Forest, and what better evocation of woodlands in springtime than a beautiful bluebell wood with its heady scent and carpet of blue?

Dave Garner, of Lodge Hill Bluebells, said: “My wife and I are really excited and proud to be opening up this piece of ancient woodland that was once part of the Needwood forest. We've worked very hard to create a place where the public can enjoy the stunning beauty of rural East Staffordshire, our carpets of bluebells and a slice of delicious cake. Working with The National Forest and the 'forestlife' campaign has further inspired our journey to deliver an amazing day out in the woods for everyone.”

Richard Drakeley, Tourism Development Manager for the National Forest Company, said: “'Forestlife' is a way of capturing the personality of the Forest, this special woodland place. It's about connecting with the landscape and with each other, to discover great places to walk and enjoy different activities. We're encouraging businesses who share this ethos to sign up with us and be part of our 'forestlife' campaign, marketing the Forest as a destination for people locally and nationally to enjoy. Lodge Hill Bluebells is a perfect example of this and we're delighted to welcome them on board.”

Dave and his wife Charlotte have further plans for this attractive corner of The National Forest. In addition to the bluebell woods that provide a wonderful celebration of spring, the couple have created Field & Forest Weddings. This unique wedding venue provides couples with a beautiful natural setting to design their day around a woodland wedding ceremony and Tipi or vintage-style marquee reception.

Lodge Hill Bluebells opens on 19 April through to 7 May, Wed – Sun plus Bank Holiday Monday 1 May.

www.lodgehillbluebells.co.uk 

www.nationalforest.org 

Ends

Media contact: Carol Rowntree Jones, Media Relations Officer, National Forest Company,

Tel: 01283 551211; email: crowntreejones@nationalforest.org

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

Digital images are available, please email 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 over 20 per cent and in 2012 HRH the Duke of Cambridge planted the eight millionth tree in the Forest.

1. 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.

1. 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, now also a charity, continues to receive grant support from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Charity no: 1166563.

1. The National Forest celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2016. To mark its first quarter century, people who live and work in the Forest, and visitors throughout its 200 square miles, are invited to contribute pictures, film, music and words to 'My National Forest', an online resource that will capture a snapshot of what the Forest means to people in its 25th year.

www.nationalforest.org/mynationalforest