Bedgebury Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bedgebury Forest |
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Bedgebury Forest, Kent
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| Type | Forest |
| Location | Kent, UK |
| OS grid | TQ7257432820 |
| Area | 10.5 square kilometres (2,600 acres) |
| Operated by | The Forestry Commission |
Bedgebury Forest is a huge forest, about 10.5 square kilometers (or 2,600 acres), located near Flimwell in Kent, UK. It's right next to the Bedgebury National Pinetum, which is a special collection of only cone-bearing trees like pines.
Unlike the Pinetum, Bedgebury Forest has a mix of trees. You'll find both trees that lose their leaves in autumn (called deciduous) and those that stay green all year (called coniferous). This beautiful area is part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It's even known as one of the "Seven Wonders Of The Weald."
Bedgebury Forest is a fantastic place for outdoor fun. You can go cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, orienteering, and enjoy adventure play areas.
Contents
Discovering Bedgebury Forest's Past
When Was Bedgebury Forest First Mentioned?
Bedgebury Forest has a very long history! It was first written about in an Anglo-Saxon document way back in AD 841. The name "Bedgebury" comes from old words. "Bycgan" meant "buy," and "vecge" meant "to bend or turn." This might have been about a stream that winds through the forest.
Is Bedgebury Forest an Ancient Woodland?
Yes, Bedgebury Forest has always been a wooded area and is known as an ancient woodland. This means it has been continuously covered by trees for hundreds of years. You can find heather growing here, which suggests that parts of the forest might have been managed as a wooded heathland in the past.
How Did Water Shape the Forest?
If you look closely at the streams in the forest, you might see signs of old dams. These dams were built to store water. This water was important for the Wealden iron industry long ago. Later, the water was used for the beautiful ornamental lakes on the Bedgebury Estate.
Exploring the Geography of Bedgebury Forest
Where is Bedgebury Forest Located?
Bedgebury Forest is found in the High Weald area of Kent. It sits on a high, flat area among the rolling hills of the Wealden Group. You can find it between the towns of Goudhurst, Hawkhurst, and Flimwell.
What is the Ground Like in Bedgebury Forest?
The ground in the forest is mostly made of clay and sandstone. The soil here is not very rich and is quite acidic. This is actually why the woodland has lasted so long! Land with better soil was cleared for farming a very long time ago.
Which Rivers Does Bedgebury Forest Feed?
The water that flows through Bedgebury Forest eventually reaches two important rivers. It falls within the catchment areas of the River Medway and the River Rother. This means any rain that falls in the forest will flow into these rivers.
Fun Activities at Bedgebury Forest
Bedgebury Forest is open for everyone to enjoy! It offers lots of ways to have fun outdoors, like cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, orienteering, and adventure play. The many paths and tracks are also perfect for walking and running.
Cycling Adventures in Bedgebury Forest
If you love cycling, Bedgebury Forest is the place to be! It has 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) of paved cycle tracks. There are also 13 kilometers of special single-track routes for mountain biking. Plus, there's a "free-ride" area where riders can practice jumps and stunts. You can even rent bikes at the Visitor Centre if you don't have your own. A cycling club, Bedgebury Forest Cycling Club, was started here in 2006.
Running and Orienteering Challenges
Bedgebury Forest has four different orienteering routes. These routes have different difficulty levels and were designed by a group linked to the British Orienteering Federation. The shortest route is 1.6 kilometers (about 1 mile), and the longest is 2.7 kilometers (about 1.7 miles). You can get maps for these routes at the Visitor Centre. The forest also hosts an annual 10-kilometer (about 6.2 miles) charity run.
Horseback Riding Trails
For horse riders, Bedgebury Forest has special marked trails. These trails connect to existing bridlepaths, creating a large network of routes friendly for horses. Riders need to have a special TROT permit to use these trails.
Exciting Adventure Play Areas
Bedgebury Forest has a super fun adventure play area. It includes trails, swings, climbing walls, and other cool play equipment for kids. In spring 2007, a Go Ape adventure course was also added. This course lets you climb trees and swing through the forest!
Music in the Forest
Sometimes, the Forestry Commission uses a part of the forest as a place to hold concerts. Imagine listening to music surrounded by beautiful trees!
