Bedgebury Forest

Bedgebury Forest

Bedgebury Forest, Kent

Bedgebury Forest shown within Kent

Type Woodland
Location Kent, UK
OS grid TQ7257432820
Coordinates 51°04′06″N 0°27′48″E / 51.0682°N 0.4634°E / 51.0682; 0.4634Coordinates: 51°04′06″N 0°27′48″E / 51.0682°N 0.4634°E / 51.0682; 0.4634
Area 10.5 square kilometres (2,600 acres)
Operated by The Forestry Commission

Bedgebury Forest is a 10.5 square kilometres (2,600 acres) forest surrounding Bedgebury National Pinetum, near Flimwell in Kent.[1] In contrast to the National Pinetum, which contains exclusively coniferous trees, the forest contains both deciduous and coniferous species. It forms part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is one of the so-called "Seven Wonders Of The Weald".[2] Bedgebury Forest has facilities for cycling, mountain biking, riding, orienteering and adventure play.

History

Bedgebury is first mentioned in an Anglo-Saxon charter in AD 841, the name deriving from the Old English bycgan, meaning "buy", and the Kentish vecge, meaning "to bend or turn", possibly in reference to a stream.[3]

Bedgebury Forest has always been wooded and is classed as an ancient woodland. Heather is present, which indicates that parts of the forest may have been managed as wooded heath. Streams in the Forest show evidence of dams, storing water for the Wealden iron industry and later the ornamental lakes on the Bedgebury Estate.[3]

Geography

Bedgebury Forest is located between Goudhurst, Hawkhurst and Flimwell in the High Weald of Kent. It is situated on a high plateau, amongst the rolling hills of the Wealden Group. The geology is mostly clay and sandstone, and the soil is poor and acidic, which is the reason for the woodland's persistence: better, more accessible land was cleared for agriculture long ago. Bedgebury Forest falls within the catchment areas of the rivers Medway and Rother.[3]

Activities

Bedgebury Forest is open to the public and provides facilities for cycling, mountain biking, riding, orienteering and adventure play. The network of paths and tracks that run through the forest provide opportunities for walking and running.

One of the tracks that runs through the forest.

Cycling

There are 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) of surfaced cycle track and 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) of single-track mountain-bike routes, and a "free-ride" area has been set up that allows riders to perform jumps and stunts. The Visitor Centre provides cycles for hire. In 2006 Bedgebury Forest Cycling Club was set up.[4][5]

Running and orienteering

Bedgebury Forest has four orienteering routes of varying difficulty levels, designed by a British Orienteering Federation-affiliated group. The shortest is 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi), the longest is 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi), with maps provided by the Visitor Centre. Bedgebury Forest also hosts an annual 10 km charity run.[6]

Riding

There are dedicated way-marked horse-riding trails across the forest that link to existing bridlepaths, creating a network of horse-friendly routes. Riders must be in possession of a TROT permit.[6]

Adventure play

Bedgebury Forest has a specially designed adventure play area incorporating trails, swings, climbing walls and other child play facilities.[7] A Go Ape adventure course was installed in spring 2007.[8]

Music

The Forestry Commission uses part of the land as a concert venue.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "History of Bedgebury National Pinetum". Archived from the original on 2007-08-19. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  2. ↑ "Seven Wonders Of The Weald". Seven Wonders Of The Weald. Royal Tunbridge Wells Tourist Information Centre. Archived from the original on 2008-06-09. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  3. 1 2 3 "Summary of the Bedgebury Forest archaeological survey". Bedgebury Forest archaeological survey. Forestry Commission. Archived from the original on 3 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  4. ↑ "Cycling and mountain biking at Bedgebury". Forestry Commission. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  5. ↑ "Boars On Bikes". Bedgebury Forest Cycling Club. Archived from the original on 2009-05-15. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  6. 1 2 "Walking, running, riding at Bedgebury". Forestry Commission. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  7. ↑ "Adventurous play at Bedgebury". Forestry Commission. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  8. ↑ O'Brien, Liz; Morris, Jake (2009). "Active England: Bedgebury National Pinetum And Forest" (PDF). Active England Woodland Projects. Forestry Commission. p. 8. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  9. ↑ Lester, Paul (2008-06-10). "The Zutons, Bedgebury Pinetum, Kent". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2009-10-02.

External links

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