Whinlatter Forest & Visitor Centre

About

Whinlatter is England's only true mountain forest. Rising 1000ft above sea level, the forest and visitor centre provides a whole range of outdoor activities for everyone.

Start at the visitor centre where the staff will give information and help plan your day. Enjoy some retail therapy in the forest shop or sample the home made food at Siskins café, eating out on the balcony whilst viewing the woods, red squirrels and woodland birds.

For children, the Whinlatter WildPlay trail is a fantastic 600m long trail with 9 different play zones. Try the climbing wall or giant timber climbing frame, the archimedes screw to move water uphill and the fairy kingdom with its secret path. Whinlatter is great for walking, with miles of waymarked trails that start near the Centre. There are suitable walks for people of all abilities, which take in spectacular views across the fells and forests.

The forest also offers excellent mountain biking, with the red-graded Altura trail and blue Quercus trail. If you've never tried orienteering, Whinlatter's permanent orienteering course is the perfect place to start.

The Bassenthwaite Ospreys can be seen live from their nest on the giant screen in the exhibition or in their natural environment from the Dodd Wood open air viewpoint (April - Aug).