You may not know but May is National Walking month and what better way to enjoy the great outdoors than by participating in the National Forest Walking Festival? This popular annual event, now in its 15th year, features a variety of trails and experiences for all walking levels and abilities and offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage of the Forest. This year's festival, spanning 18 to 30 May, boasts a record-breaking 94 walks, inviting you to delve into the captivating stories that have shaped the landscape.

Rooted in the heart of the country, the Forest, spans 200 square miles across Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire, and holds a remarkable history waiting to be discovered. It stands as a testament to landscape-scale transformation. From once being dominated by black coalfields and grey clay pits, the Forest has evolved into a vibrant tapestry of green canopies and wildlife-rich habitats. Today, it is still one of the boldest environmentally led regeneration initiatives, showcasing the transformative power of trees in rejuvenating landscapes, fostering communities, and stimulating economic growth.

As you traverse the scenic routes, you can journey through time, uncovering the geological wonders beneath your feet. You can immerse yourself in tales of stately homes and their ancestral families, and gain insights into how the industrial past has left an indelible mark on the Forest.

As the National Forest celebrates its 15th year of annual walks, it continues to inspire individuals to explore, learn, and connect with the extraordinary stories woven into the landscape. The walks are an opportunity to not only witness the legacy of the past but also to actively contribute to the sustainable and thriving future that the National Forest envisions.

Most walks in the programme are free and require no prior booking. For those with specific details such as charges or booking requirements, information is conveniently listed under each walk. For more information and to explore the diverse range of walks available, please visit www.nationalforest.org/visit/national-forest-walking-festival where you can download a full itinerary.

Some festival highlights:

Saturday 18 May – walk no.4 – From Tip to Trees – exploring Swadlincote Woodlands

Start time 11am Easy 3 miles, 1.5 hours, 0 stiles

STARTING POINT Swadlincote Woodlands Nature Reserve Car Park DE11 8LP

A leisurely walk around the former Clay Hole which was later used as a Landfill Site. All 33 hectares have been restored with a network of trails and a variety of habitats.

Booking essential: Tel 07763 465499

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Tuesday 21 May – walk no.26 - The Gresleys local history walk

Start time 1.30pm Leisurely 4 miles, 2.5 hours, 2 stiles

STARTING POINT Toon's furniture warehouse car park, Castle Gresley, DE11 9HQ

Enjoy the panoramic view from the motte of Castle Knob. Discover the history of Castle brewery, Gresley Old Hall and Holloway's Portable Empire.

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Wednesday 22 May – walk no.38 - History of Scalpcliffe Woods evening walk

Start time 6pm Moderate 1.5 miles, 1 hour, 0 stiles

STARTING POINT Entrance is next to Rider House, Stapenhill Road, Burton on Trent, DE15 9AE

Climb the steps, through the ancient woodland where Albury House used to exist. Up a steep hill which can be slippery when wet. Enjoy excellent views on the other side of the hill. This is a free walk, but donations are welcome.

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Saturday 25 May – walk no.59 –Exploring 800 years of coal mining heritage

Start time 2pm Easy Access 1 mile, 2 hours, 0 stiles

STARTING POINT Hough Mill, off St Georges Hill, Swannington, LE67 8QW Car park on site.

Family focused and fun exploration of 800 years of coal mining heritage. Will include a guided walk across Swannington Heritage Trust sites with fun activities to bring history to life. Booking essential, call 07779 275762.

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Tuesday 28 May – walk no.69 –celebrating 10 years of the National Forest Way

Start time 9am Strenuous 17 miles, 8 hours, 12 stiles

STARTING POINT South Street car park, Ashby de la Zouch LE65 1BT

Celebrate 10 years of the National Forest Way and enjoy a day out on stages five and six, combined into a circular route. This walk will take you on a journey back in time past some of the oldest trees in the National Forest, and some of the youngest! Starting in the market town of Ashby de la Zouch, we will pass through historic sites including Staunton Harold, Calke Park and Carver's Rocks. Booking essential: Tel: 01283 551211

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Thursday 30 May – walk no.94 – Blackbrook Beauty sunset walk - final walk of the festival

Start time 6.30pm Moderate 7 miles, 2.5 hours, 2 stiles

STARTING POINT Vicarage Street car park, Whitwick LE67 5GZ

For the final walk of this year's walking festival, this sunset wander will take you to some hidden gems in the countryside around Whitwick. Walk with us as we discover ancient rocks, a Pugin-designed monastery, a wildlife-rich reservoir, and some of the best views in the area.

Booking essential. Tel: 07976 865451

~ENDS~

Notes to editor:

About the National Forest

The National Forest covers 200 square miles of the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. Its creation began in the early 1990s, a radical vision to bring the benefits of trees, woodland and multi-use forestry to lowland England, where thousands of people live and work.  

The Forest provides a national demonstration of the value of the natural environment to drive regeneration and showcase policy and practice, research and development in the heart of the country. 

It was the first broadleaf forest to be created at scale in England for 1,000 years and is now seen as one of the boldest environmentally led regeneration initiatives in the country. It has transformed a post-industrial Midlands landscape – scarred by coal mining and heavy industry - from black to green. 

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. Nine million trees have been planted so far. Forest cover has increased from 6% to 22%, approaching double the national average for woodland cover. The aim is to reach around a third forest cover.   

Trees have been the catalyst for change and transformation. The National Forest is a positive response to the climate crisis and is putting in place the building blocks to deliver mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Through partnerships the NFC is working to create wildlife habitats, reduce flooding, improve air quality, store carbon and create space for outdoor education, supporting the health and wellbeing of communities and enabling Forest-related businesses to thrive.

The National Forest Company (charity no: 1166563) leads the creation of the National Forest, working in partnership with landowners, local authorities, businesses and its communities. It has strong support from government, politicians and the public, and continues to be supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.