Haldon Forest Park - Forestry England

Haldon Forest Park, Kennford, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7XR

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 584 reviews584 reviews

Add Haldon Forest Park - Forestry England to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel0300 067 5826

Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park
  • Haldon Forest Park

Book Tickets Online

Whether you want a gentle stroll or an exhilarating mountain biking experience, there’s something for everyone at Haldon Forest Park. Open 364 days of the year, there is something for every interest to connect you with the great outdoors.

If you’re looking to entertain the family, get active, rediscover your connection with nature, or just make unforgettable memories, look no further than Haldon Forest Park.

Haldon Forest Park offers endless activities and miles of different trails. Ideal for families, runners, walkers, and cyclists of any age and ability. The Forest Park is set in the heart of beautiful Devon with some amazing views of the surrounding countryside. Discover easy going trails and a choice of stunning picnic spots, or head deeper into the forest for a more challenging hiking adventure. For thrill seekers, choose from cycling trails and activity areas, tree top adventures, Segway tours, the south west’s largest orienteering course, and more. With easy parking, toilets, and an on-site cafe, there is no excuse not to explore the forest at any time of year!

Things to do at Haldon Forest Park

Entertaining the kids

If 3,500 acres of forest to explore isn’t enough, don’t worry – we’ve got plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained. For little explorers, head out onto the Zog activity trail to learn essential dragon skills. Activity packs are available from the Info Pod for £4. Slightly older adventurers will enjoy challenging themselves with our Gruffalo orienteering course as they navigate their way between control points. Maps are available from the Info Pod for £1.50.

To burn off some energy, bring their bikes (or hire them on-site) to work up a sweat on our cycling and mountain biking trails. For those with a head for heights, check out the Go Ape Treetop Adventure, which will leave everyone with a sense of achievement.

Walking

Whether you’re looking for play and adventure or a bit of peace and quiet to observe the wildlife, Haldon Forest Park has the perfect walking trail for you. The Discovery Trail is shared between walkers and beginner cyclists, with plenty of seating stops and stunning views. It is also home to our Zog activity trail, taking families on an adventure to learn essential dragon skills. For a more immersive forest walk, choose from the waymarked Raptor trail or Butterfly trail, or make up your own route. Visitors with reduced mobility can explore the forest with one of our off-road mobility vehicles, available to hire via the Countryside Mobility scheme. Our easy-to-use scooters can tackle forest terrain come rain or shine.

For a walk with a fitness boost, why not try Nordic walking? Bring your poles, or hire ours from the Info Pod, and stride out onto our waymarked Nordic walking routes.

Dogs at Haldon Forest Park

Dogs love Haldon Forest with exciting sights smells to explore and plenty of shade on hot summer days. There is always fresh doggy drinking water in the forest visitor hub, and some of our picnic tables have tie rings to keep four-legged family members secure while you eat. For happy times and waggy tails, please check out our guide for dogs in the forest.

Cycling and mountain biking

Whether you’ve just bought your first bike, or you’re happy shredding through rock gardens, Haldon Forest Park offers fantastic natural cycling. Practise your technique in the skills area and find your flow on the pump loop, then choose from graded trails that wind through the forest.

Haven’t brought your bike? Our on-site cycle hire specialists are here to help with mountain bikes for all ages, electrically-assisted bikes, tag-a-longs and child seats, recumbent cycles, and trikes. All cycle hire is heavily discounted for over 55s.

Running

Lace up your trainers and head into the forest for a run like no other. Choose from our 1-5km waymarked running routes or make up your own route. Trail running is not just good for your fitness. Tune into the colours and sounds of the forest for a mindful experience to leave you feeling refreshed.

Go Ape at Haldon Forest Park

Scale the heights of the treetops with daring crossings, wobbly bridges, and zip wires. Choose from the Treetop Adventure for younger thrill seekers or the Treetop Challenge for older adrenalin-junkies. Pre-booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

Orienteering

For a walk with an added challenge, test your map navigational skills against Haldon Forest Park’s orienteering course. We have graded routes for everyone from complete beginner (white) to advanced (brown). Purchase your maps from the Info Pod (£1.50) or download them for free before you visit.

For younger explorers, try our Gruffalo Orienteering course with special Gruffalo-themed controls hidden along the Discovery Trail. Maps are available from the Info Pod for £1.50.

White, yellow, orange, and Gruffalo orienteering courses are accessible for off-road mobility vehicles.

Accessible Haldon Forest Park

For any help planning your visit to Haldon Forest Park, please contact us via haldon.rangers@forestryengland.uk or 0300 067 5826. Haldon Forest Park is a sunflower-friendly destination and our friendly team has complete disability awareness training. Our off-road mobility scooters are available to anyone aged 14+ who requires mobility support – you do not need to be registered disabled. To enquire about adaptive bikes, please contact the expert team at Forest Cycle Hire on info@forestcyclehire.co.uk or 01392 833768.

Eating and drinking

After your forest adventure, refuel at the Ridge Cafe. You’ll be spoiled for choice with delicious homemade light bites, locally-made cakes, and hot and cold drinks. Or bring your own picnic to enjoy in your favourite spot. There are picnic benches dotted throughout the forest, or pick a peaceful spot among the trees. Top up your water bottles with our free refill station next to the toilet block. To help us prevent wild fires, please never light a BBQ or fire in the forest.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Free AdmissionFree
Car Parking / All day£9.00 per ticket
Car Parking / Up to 2 hours£5.00 per ticket
Car Parking / Up to 4 hours£6.50 per ticket
Coach Parking£18.00 per ticket
Minibus Parking£13.00 per ticket

Charges apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Regular visitors can save money and support the forest with a Forestry England membership for Haldon Forest Park, just £40 for parking for a whole year and access to a range of exclusive benefits and discounts.

Opening Times

Open all year except Christmas Day (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Accessible to Wheelchair Users
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Ramp/Level Access
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Catering

  • On-Site café/restaurant - The Ridge Cafe serves a delicious range of locally sourced food and drink.
  • Picnic Site

Children & Infants

  • Facilities for children

Establishment Features

  • Dogs-Accepted
  • Event venue - If you would like to hold your event at Haldon Forest Park please contact the Permissions desk via southpermissions.westengland@forestryengland.uk.
  • Toilets

Key Features

  • Forest Location
  • Outdoor Attraction

Parking & Transport

  • Car parking
  • Parking (charge) - see tariff above or visit https://www.forestryengland.uk/haldon-forest-park
  • Parking On Site

Specialist Features

  • Family Fun
  • Marketed towards children
  • Marketed towards families
  • Marketed towards senior citizens
  • Marketed towards student/youth

View

Close

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Located just off the A38, follow the brown signs for the forest park.

View

Close

View

Close

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      341
    • Very Good
      173
    • Average
      36
    • Poor
      18
    • Terrible
      16

    Recent Reviews:

    • _stevecuv
      Bridgwater, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Haldon forest trail
      4 of 5 stars
      7th Aug 2023
      Took our 2 grandsons to Haldon forest Devon, to do the dragon trail, it was free to get in and all you had to do was download an app, the boys enjoyed going around the vast forest, there was a... Read full review
    • neilwS3199DV
      Abingdon, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Bikes, Walk, dogs ,kids 👍👍
      4 of 5 stars
      1st Sept 2023
      Brilliant place to bring the bikes or just yourself and the dog, add in the kids if required. Pay for the car park on arrival money goes towards the maintenance of the forest. Trails varying levels... Read full review
    • 997gabbieb
      Newton Abbot, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Really nice place
      4 of 5 stars
      11th Sept 2023
      Decided to take a trip to Haldon Forest over the weekend and was not disappointed! Decided to do the Butterfly Trail and thoroughly enjoyed it. Around the halfway mark had a lovely sit down and chat... Read full review

    Awards

    • Regional and MiscellaneousWTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

    What's Nearby

    1. Exeter Quayside

      Exeter's Historic Quayside is the most attractive area in the city, popular with locals &…

      4.9 miles away
    2. Powderham

      Immerse yourself in over 600 years of history at Powderham, the family home of The Earl…

      5.64 miles away
    3. The River Bovey

      Flowing from Dartmoor through the town of Bovey Tracey before meeting the River Teign is…

      5.93 miles away
    4. Ashburn Springs

      Ashburn Springs Gym and Pool is the fantastic pool, fitness centre and gym complex at…

      6.37 miles away
    1. EXE Adventures

      EXE ADVENTURES is South Devon's mobile outdoor adventure centre, with a 15 seat minibus…

      6.4 miles away
    2. House of Marbles

      House of Marbles is a unique attraction located in Bovey Tracey, the 'Gateway to the…

      6.42 miles away
    3. Ted Hughes Poetry Trail

      The Ted Hughes Poetry Trail was officially opened on the 4th May 2006 by Councillor Des…

      7 miles away
    4. Devon’s Top Attractions

      Everything you need for a great day out in Devon is here. Lotstodo.co.uk is the website…

      7.23 miles away
    5. The Paint Hub

      The Paint Hub is a pottery painting cafe where you can customise your own piece of…

      7.36 miles away
    6. The Lawn

      In the centre of Dawlish is The Lawn; a focal point of the town and seafront The Lawn is…

      7.42 miles away
    7. Dawlish Leisure Centre

      Dawlish Leisure Centre hosts a number of activities and facilities including:

      7.46 miles away
    8. Dawlish Warren and Cliffs

      Dawlish Warren is a fascinating place. This sand spit at the mouth of the Exe Estuary is…

      7.53 miles away
    9. Dawlish Warren Tourism Group

      The family beach resort with shops, amusements, go-karts, adventure golf, pubs and…

      7.56 miles away
    10. Dawlish Town Beach

      Within a short walk from the town centre, Dawlish Town Beach is ideal to escape the…

      7.58 miles away
    11. Dawlish Warren Beach

      Dawlish Warren prides itself on being one of South Devon's top family beaches.…

      7.66 miles away
    12. Dawlish Warren Nature & Wildlife Reserve

      Dawlish Warren's most valuable ecological asset appears outside of the summer months -…

      7.66 miles away
    Previous Next
    Peak Hill Sidmouth Countryside
    European Union Leader South Devon Coastal

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss