| Bedgebury Forest | |
|---|---|
 Bedgebury Forest, Kent | |
  Bedgebury Forest shown withinKent | |
| Type | Forest |
| Location | Kent, UK |
| OS grid | TQ7257432820 |
| Coordinates | 51°04′06″N0°27′48″E / 51.0682°N 0.4634°E /51.0682; 0.4634 |
| Area | 10.5 square kilometres (2,600 acres) |
| Operated by | Forestry England |
Bedgebury Forest is a 10.5 square kilometres (2,600 acres) forest surroundingBedgebury National Pinetum, nearFlimwell inKent.[1] In contrast to the National Pinetum, which contains exclusivelyconiferous trees, the forest contains both deciduous and coniferous species. It forms part of theHigh Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is one of the so-called "Seven Wonders Of The Weald".[2] Bedgebury Forest has facilities forcycling,mountain biking,riding,orienteering and adventure play.
Bedgebury is first mentioned in anAnglo-Saxon charter in AD 841, the name deriving from theOld Englishbycgan, meaning "buy", and theKentishvecge, meaning "to bend or turn", possibly about a stream.[3]
Bedgebury Forest has always been wooded and is classed as anancient woodland.Heather is present, which indicates that parts of the forest may have been managed as woodedheath. Streams in the Forest show evidence of dams, storing water for theWealden iron industry and later the ornamental lakes on the Bedgebury Estate.[3]
Bedgebury Forest is located betweenGoudhurst,Hawkhurst andFlimwell in theHigh Weald of Kent. It is situated on a high plateau, amongst the rolling hills of theWealden Group. The geology is mostlyclay andsandstone, and the soil is poor andacidic, which is the reason for the woodland's persistence: better, more accessible land was cleared for agriculture long ago. Bedgebury Forest falls within thecatchment areas of the riversMedway andRother.[3]
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.
There are 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) of surfaced cycle track and 13 kilometres (8.1 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]
Bedgebury Forest has four orienteering routes of varying difficulty levels, designed by aBritish Orienteering Federation-affiliated group. The shortest is 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi), and the longest is 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi), with maps provided by the Visitor Centre. Bedgebury Forest also hosts an annual10 km charity run.[6]
There are dedicated way-marked horse-riding trails across the forest that link to existingbridlepaths, creating a network of horse-friendly routes. Riders must have a TROT permit.[6]
Bedgebury Forest has a specially designed adventure play area incorporating trails, swings, climbing walls, and other child play facilities.[7] AGo Ape adventure course was installed in spring 2007.[8]