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Arboretum opening
For those visitors seeking peace and tranquillity in the
forest or a new place to explore, our new arboretum
trail is now open.
It contains some 1,400 impressive trees
representing 60 species and is
important for its collection of conifers,
some of which are scarce or
endangered. You can also see some
amazing redwoods already 20m high!
the potential role of alternative
species in reducing the impact of
pests, diseases and climate change
on British forestry.
You can access the arboretum through
the Forestry Commission car park on
Gravel Hill Road near the Forest
Research station. Alternatively it's a
short walk up from Bentley station.
Continuing our celebrations for the
Gruffalo’s 15th birthday, the
Gruffalo’s Child activity trail will run
until 28 February. Families are able
to explore the forest following the
trail and do some fun activities
along the way. Activity Packs are
available for purchase on site.
Arboreta such as this one are a vital
resource. They provide information on
How to find us
By car
Alice Holt is 4 miles south
of Farnham on the A325.
Parking charges apply.
See website below for info.
Contact
Forestry Commission,
Alice Holt Forest,
Bucks Horn Oak,
Farnham,
Surrey GU10 4LS.
Tel. 0300 067 4448.
forestry.gov.uk/gruffalo
Farnborough
M3
Basingstoke
A287
1
A3
Aldershot
Farnham
Bentley
A287
By bus
Stagecoach no.18 operates
regularly between
Aldershot and Haslemere,
picking up from Farnham
station and stopping at
the Halfway House pub
in Bucks Horn Oak.
Alton
Guildford
Godalming
A3
Alice Holt Forest
Find us on facebook.com/aliceholtforest
Bordon
A32
5
forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt
If you need this publication in large print
or in another language please contact
The Diversity Team. Tel. 0131 314 6575
Email. [email protected]
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Cosm
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The Gruffalo's Child Trail
For information about volunteering with
the Alice Holt Community Forum email
[email protected]
Alice Holt is cared for by:
FSC® C011771
Haslemere
Forestry Commission
woodlands have been
certified in accordance
with the rules of the
Forest Stewardship
Council.
Designed by TheWayDesign/Jan2015/10k/Kingsdown© Crown copyright.
Located on the less popular (but even
more beautiful!) Bentley side of the
A325, the arboretum has been lovingly
restored through a joint project
involving the Alice Holt Community
Forum and the Forestry Commission.
An alien? A large football?
A giant seed? What do you
make of our new sculpture
in the forest?
Pushing the boundaries between art
and science, this huge sphere is based
on one year’s worth of measurements
of the take up and loss of carbon
dioxide during one year recorded at
the nearby Alice Holt Research Station.
Designed by artists Ruth Jarman
and Joe Gerhardt, known as
Semiconductor, Cosmos won a
competition for funding run by the
Jerwood Open Forest organisation.
The project involved working
closely with scientists from Forest
Research (the scientific agency of
the Forestry Commission).
Baffled? Check it out and get creative
yourself! It’s already inspiring budding
artists who are making their own
natural sculptures in the woods.
Find it in the trees adjacent to the picnic
bench on the Family Cycle Trail close to
the Rowledge entrance.
To find out more and to see how it was
created visit jerwoodopenforest.org
and vimeo.com/109563495.
ary
ntil 28 Febru
Trail open u
News
Centre Stage
Regular activities
Get active in the forest!
In addition to school visits, group bookings and our own events, we run a number
of regular activities for children and adults.
A Midsummer
Night's Dream
th
Walking for heal
Friday 19 June, 6.30pm
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to enjoy
2015 will be a busy year
at Alice Holt as we
start construction of a
purpose built café and
new cycling facilities.
The café will be located on the meadow
adjacent to the existing Visitor Centre
building and will be much bigger than
the existing one.
Cycle hire is now available through a
new operator, Parkwood Leisure, from
the cabin next to the playground.
New, larger cycling premises will be
developed over the course of the year in
the yard area next to the all ability cycle
trail. Both the cycling and café buildings
will be open for business towards the
end of 2015.
Finally, new Gruffalo character sculptures
will be placed along the Easy Access
Trail over the course of the next couple
of years for families to enjoy. We will
announce any new additions on our
website and Facebook pages.
THANK YOU!
We’d just like to say thank you to all our
regular customers for the support you
provide us through visiting Alice Holt.
We will be starting a campaign during
2015 to tell you how your money helps
support our work with trees, wildlife and
people. You’ll be able to find out a bit
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more about the important work we do
and we’d really like to know more about
what you think. So we’d be very grateful
if you could help us by completing one
of our questionnaires, on line or on site,
when they come out in the spring.
Chapterhouse Theatre Company
presents Shakespeare’s best loved
romantic comedy. Let yourself be
whisked away on a thrilling journey to
the most magical of forests and meet
star-crossed lovers, playful fairies and
hilarious travelling players. There will
be beautifully designed Elizabethan
costumes, a wonderful new musical
score and enchanting woodland
puppet creatures!
Adults £14, children £10, family ticket
£42. Tickets and information from
Farnham Maltings on 01252 745444,
visit www.farnhammaltings.com,
SEE tickets on 0871 2200260 or
www.seetickets.com
Robin Hood
the Musical
Friday 28 August, 5.30pm
Cambridge Touring Theatre are
thrilled to be bringing their joyful,
larger than life, musical adaptation
of “Robin Hood The Musical” to Alice
Holt in an explosion of action and
comedy for all the family.
Filled with a host of catchy songs,
heroic characters and extraordinary
adventures, this lively and funny tale is
brought vividly to life for families by a
professional cast of highly experienced
performers and includes live music,
dancing, audience interaction and a
wide range of pranks appealing to
both children and adults alike. Relax and enjoy a picnic on the grass
with the whole family.
Adults £12, children £9, family ticket
£38. Tickets and information from
Farnham Maltings on 01252 745444,
or visit www.farnhammaltings.com.
Visit www.forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt or find us on www.facebook.com/aliceholtforest
Tree Tots
B P C
Guided Nordic Walks
B P A
Toddlers ages 14 months to 2½ years
with their carers. Monday mornings
10.30am-12noon from 2 March to 13
July excluding school holidays.
£8 per child per session.
For adults with prior experience.
£4 per session or £16 for 5 sessions.
Our partner Wild Learning will be running
these exciting activity sessions. There’ll be
lots of fun out in the forest followed by
stories, crafts and refreshments.
Wednesday evenings as follows:
18, 25 March 5.30-7pm
1, 8 April 6-7.30pm
15 April-2 September 6.30-8pm
9, 16, 23 September 6-7.30pm
30 September and 7 October 5.30-7pm
14, 21 October 5-6.30pm
For more details and to book please visit
www.wild-learning.net
Mini Rangers
B P C
2½-4 year olds with their carers.
Monday afternoons 2-3.30pm from
2 March to 13 July excluding school
holidays. £8 per child per session.
These sessions, run by our partner
Wild Learning, are suitable for older
pre-school children. They explore the
forest using all their senses whatever
the weather. Story, craft activity and
refreshments included.
For more details and to book please visit
www.wild-learning.net
Beginners’ Nordic Walking
Courses B P A
Tuesday mornings 10-11.15 am
£40 per course including pole hire.
Course 1: 3, 10, 17, 24 February.
Course 2: 2, 9, 16, 23 June.
Nordic Walking is an increasingly
popular form of exercise with poles
that suits a wide range of fitness levels.
Each course consists of four
progressive sessions to develop safe,
effective technique.
Leaders are all fully trained.
Tuesday mornings 10-11:30am.
Starting 6 January weekly throughout
the year.
Saturday mornings 10-11.30am weekly
from 10 January-25 April and 5
September-19 December.
Weekly walks led by our trained
volunteers offer a chance to put
your technique into practice and
meet other Nordic walkers who have
completed instruction. Please check
dates when booking.
parkrun
Every Saturday morning 9am.
parkrun organise free, weekly, timed
5km runs all over the world. They’re
open to everyone and they’re free, safe
and easy to take part in. Here at Alice
Holt, events take place on Saturday
mornings at 9am and people of all
abilities are encouraged to take part;
from beginners to Olympians and
from juniors to experienced runners.
All are welcome!
www.parkrun.org.uk/aliceholt.
See feature on page 6.
Walking for Health
B P C
Walking for Health at Alice Holt Forest
provides two different levels of walks led
by our own volunteer leaders.
Every Tuesday until the end of March
there are morning walks lasting one hour.
These start at 10am from the Café on
the Green.
From March until the end of August
walks take place on Tuesday evenings,
starting at 6.30pm from the Education
Centre, and last up to 1½ hours.
Watch the changing seasons on our
sociable walks.
Wear suitable footwear and clothing for
the forest. Children under 16 years must
be accompanied by an adult.
Contact Kat on 01483 326 266 /
0300 067 4448.
A parking permit will be issued on the
day if required. Please park in one of
the main car parks.
Booking is essential, please call
01483 326 266. All activities start at the
Forest Classroom unless stated otherwise.
Price does not include parking.
The small print
For all events, park in the main car parks where
normal parking charges apply. Events start from
the classroom unless specified. Wear suitable
clothing and footwear for weather conditions.
B Booking in advance is essential.
P Parking charges apply. If you’re a regular
visitor have you considered getting a
Discovery Pass and saving money on
parking? (See page 6)
A Adults only
C Children must be accompanied.
Under 8’s must always be accompanied
and for some events over 8’s also need
to be with an adult.
Health Warning. Please note that people
who do not exercise regularly and might have
concerns about their health should check with
their doctor before taking part in exercise.
The Forestry Commission cannot be held
responsible for the consequences if participants
do not take this advice.
Booking is essential, please call 0300 067 4448/01483 326266. All activities start at the Forest Classroom. Price does not include parking.
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Children’s activities
Here’s what we’ve got lined
up for the next few months
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Saturday 31 January
Winter Warmer
B P C
Ages 5 yrs+. 10.30-12noon.
£8 per family.
Active ranger-led family walk with
games for children and facts for adults.
Come outside to learn about your forest.
You'll find out about trees and wood
products and discover just how
important forests are. Includes a
campfire, so there’ll be marshmallows
to toast!
FEBRUARY HALF TERM
Tuesday 17 February
Making a Home for Nature
B P C
Ages 5 yrs+. 1-3pm. FREE.
Come to the Education Centre and help
prepare the classroom garden for plenty
of visiting wildlife. Build up a dead hedge,
make sure the wormery is ready for
spring, refill the bug hotel, build bird
boxes and stack the log pile. All materials
and tools are provided during the session.
There will even be hot chocolate and
marshmallows for all your hard work!
Cycling activity trail
forest games, tree climbing, stream
dipping and more. For more details and
to book visit www.wild-learning.net.
EASTER HOLIDAY
Parking charges apply if adults remain on
site. No charge for drop off.
New Cycling Activity Trail
Thursday 19 February
Den Building
B P
Ages 8 yrs+. 1-3pm. £8 per child.
Our first den building session of the year.
Rangers will show youngsters how to
build a fun, safe shelter in the forest. This
activity is always popular, so book early
and wrap up warm!
Saturday 21 February
Forest Survival Day
Ages 8 yrs+. 10am-3pm. £15 per child.
Do you know anything about surviving in
the woods? Learn the skills like Ray
Mears and Bear Grylls. Join Nigel for
some serious fun.
Bring your own packed lunch and an
adult (Minimum 1 adult per 2 children).
Tuesday 17 and
Wednesday 18 February
All ages FREE (cycle hire available
on site).
Ready, Steady, On Your Bike! A new
self-guided activity challenge along the
family cycle trail. Details available on our
website, Facebook page, or from the
cycle hire centre nearer the time.
Cedar Bark Weaving
two day Workshop B
P A
Adults only 10am-5pm £140
This unique course with Mollie
Butters & Nick McMillen allows you
to spend 2 days in the forest,
immersing yourself in the whole
process of harvesting tree bark and
creating woven utensils. The first
day will involve harvesting the bark
from the tree source, discussing
traditional methods and modern
restraints and choosing the best
material. Once we have harvested
and processed the bark we will
make a simple canoe bailer using
folding techniques. The second day
we will prepare the bark by cutting
into strips and then move onto the
weaving. The pattern for the basket
is a traditional Native American
square based design with a folded
woven technique for the border.
Please bring a packed lunch,
refreshments provided throughout
the course. Come prepared for any
weather! To book call Mollie on
07979 321369 or email
[email protected].
For more information, visit
www.fieldfarmproject.com.
Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8 and
Thursday 9 April
Please come with a packed lunch and
prepared for any weather. There will be
hot chocolate and biscuits around the
fire at break times.
To book call Mollie on 07979 321369
or email [email protected].
For more information, visit
www.fieldfarmproject.com.
B P C
The woodland world in miniature comes
to life. Create your own little forest that
continues to grow at home. We will use
natural materials collected from our
walk plus soil and seeds to fill our boxes.
Add a little water, sunlight and
imagination to see the magic grow.
B P
Ages 8 yrs+. 2-5pm. £12 per child.
Bark weaving
Ancient hunting
Forest Survival Day
B P C
Ages 8 yrs+. 10am-3pm. £15 per child.
See entry for 21 February
JUNE
Friday 19 June
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A family friendly version of this play with
a magical forest, star-crossed lovers and
playful fairies! For full details see page 2.
DURING THE YEAR
Starry Nights with Farnham
Astronomical Society
Adults and families free
(donations welcome).
Since receiving Dark Sky status, Alice Holt
Forest has proved itself to be an excellent
venue for public events with the Farnham
Astronomical Society. If you have been
inspired by Star Gazing Live or just
interested in the night sky please check
with Farnham Astronomical Society at
www.farnham-as.co.uk to see when
they will be at Alice Holt Forest.
Wednesday 27 and
Thursday 28 May
Wild Learning Holiday Club
Adventure Camp B P
Starry Nights
See entry for 17 and 18 February
The small print
For all events, park in the main car parks where
normal parking charges apply. Events start from
the classroom unless specified. Wear suitable
clothing and footwear for weather conditions.
Let’s get tracking, looking for signs,
listening and even smelling the evidence
of creatures living in the forest. What
surprises will the hidden trail camera
reveal? Under 8’s must be accompanied.
Booking is essential, please call 0300 067 4448/01483 326266. All activities start at the Forest Classroom. Price does not include parking.
Discover how our ancestors would have
tracked and hunted animals; use
camouflage and stalking games to get
close to and tune into the wildlife in the
forest. Have a go at hitting targets with
the ancient atl atl (spear thrower) and
make your own bundle bow and arrow.
Ages 6yrs+. 10.30-12noon.
£6 per child.
Ages 6-10 yrs. 10am-12noon.
£8 per child.
Forest Survival Day
B P
Ages 10 yrs+. 10am-3.30pm.
£30 per child.
Magic Forest in a Box
Wednesday 8 April
Learn essential camp skills – den
building, fire lighting and tasty cooking.
“Sizzling sausages and marshmallow
heaven, whether you’re 8, or 10 or over
11, join in the fun, to give mum a break,
and get some tucker on your plate!”
Ancient Hunting Skills
Saturday 30 May
Tuesday 26 May
See entry for 17 and 18 February
Dens, Campfire and Food
Saturday 11 April
SUMMER HALF TERM
Wild Learning Holiday Club
Adventure Camp B P
Hidden Wildlife and Secrets from
the Trailcam B P
Ages 5 yrs+. 10.15am-4pm.
£37.50 per day.
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P C
Saturday 13th and
Sunday 14th June
Thursday 9 April
Wild Learning Holiday Club
Adventure Camp B P
From our secret camp deep in the woods,
we venture out to try den building, fire
making, tracking and stalking, mud
sculptures, environmental art, whittling,
B P C
Monday 30 March onwards
Children’s activities
P Parking charges apply. If you’re a regular visitor
have you considered getting a Discovery Pass
and saving money on parking? (See page 7.)
Visit www.forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt
B Booking in advance is essential.
C Children must be accompanied. Under 8’s
must always be accompanied and for some
events over 8’s also need to be with an adult.
A Adults only
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parkrun
On site
A recent addition to Alice Holt, parkrun has
enjoyed great success. It works so well for
several reasons. Firstly, it’s free! It’s also
open to the whole family and with no time
limits youngsters aged four and over can
run the same course as their parents.
Children aged 11 and under need to run
with an adult. Most parkruns have a wide
range of abilities, ages, shapes and sizes
and no one is judgemental. You get just as
big a clap if you’re last as if you’re first.
Oh, and cake in the café is a big attraction
after the run! Finally most people are off
and back to their busy lives before 10am
on a Saturday so you still have the rest of
the weekend to play with.
www.parkrun.org.uk/aliceholt
Wilderness Watch
Outdoor activities with Nigel Netley
(Note: Adult supervision is required on a
ratio of 1:6 for ages 7+ and 1:2 for ages
3-6 and £30 deposit).
• Den Building and Bushcraft Skills
£130 – 1½ hours. Maximum 20
children aged 7+.
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Fresh air and exercise
making you hungry?
15% off Forest
Holidays for
Discovery Pass
holders!
Parkrun
Party on in the forest!
At Alice Holt we believe that
there’s really no better place
to celebrate your birthday than
in the great outdoors! Whether
it's den building or bushcraft
with Wilderness Watch, thrills
with Go Ape or Tree Top Junior,
cycling or running your own
party, you can find something
to suit everyone’s tastes and
even finish off with a fabulous
feast from the cafe!
On site
Den building
For further details contact Nigel or
Caroline: 01420 476808 / 07989
652757 [email protected]
www.wildernesswatch.co
And if you’d like to run your own party,
you could hire one of our classrooms
or barbecues in the park:
Barbecues: £36/session (10am-3pm
all year or 4-9pm summer only).
• Campfire and Food
£230 – 3hrs. Max 20 children aged 7+.
Classroom 1: £90 for 4 hours/
£45 for 2 hours.
• Classroom Capers
Messy fun making cardboard teepees
plus a discovery walk. £130 – 1½ hours.
Max 15 children aged 3-6 (classroom
must be booked separately).
Classroom 2: £80 for 4 hours/
£40 for 2 hours (no toilets).
Call 0300 067 4448 for booking, or visit:
www.forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt
We know that being out and about
in the fresh air can really make
your tummy rumble! And we’re
lucky to have a café that can
provide you with anything from
hearty winter fare to home-made
cake, and children's lunch boxes to
that delicious cappuccino. And with
the kiosk open at busy times, you
can always get an ice cream when
the summer comes!
Birthday parties can be catered for
and these are very popular with
those who want to combine it with
a party on Go Ape Tree Top Junior
or with Cycle hire.
For more information on menus,
group catering, barbecues, picnic
boxes and corporate events, please
call 01420 521267 or visit
cafeonthegreen.co
Escape to a luxury self-catering
woodland cabin with Forest
Holidays and get 15% off with your
Disovery Pass! The luxurious
cabins are a perfect getaway for
families, couples and groups of
friends and are just 30 miles from
Alice Holt. You can even stay in a
big Golden Oak treehouse!
Don’t have a Discovery Pass yet?
If you’re a regular visitor then it’s
excellent value for money.*
Cheaper than some other local
annual family memberships, it’s
perfect for getting the family out
and about in the fresh air without
breaking the bank. The pass
provides free car parking with
discounts at the café, cycle hire, Go
Ape and Tree Top Junior, as well as
a host of other benefits. These
include discounts at local outdoor
retailers and family attractions.
The money from the pass provides
a large part of the funding for our
work and goes into maintaining
the forest for the benefit of people,
trees and wildlife.
*For details of current price and
benefits and to buy online see
www.forestry.gov.uk/pass.
For Forest Holidays see
www.forestholidays.co.uk or call
0845 130 8223 and quote your
exclusive code communicated to
you via e-newsletter. (Non
Discovery Pass holders can also
get a discount by quoting code
FOREST 10). You will need to show
your Discovery Pass on arrival.
Visit www.forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt or find us on www.facebook.com/aliceholtforest
New for
2015!
16/17 year olds can now do Tree Top
Adventure without supervision. Why not
ditch the oldies and swing by! £33 for
an experience you won’t forget. Call
0845 6432036 and quote AHUSER for
10% off. (Valid for Tree Top Adventure
only, excludes Saturdays and Bank
Holidays until 29th November, 2015)
10-15 year olds can also take part for
£25. (Supervision ratios and minimum
requirements apply).
For those little monkeys, why not let them
loose on our Tree Top Junior course
(£18pp, supervision ratios apply) or have
a birthday party complete with party
bags and the use of our forest shelter?
Call 0843 7704730 to book. We can
also open the course on weekdays
during term time for school bookings.
Call 0843 2497710 (2 weeks’ notice
required) to arrange that special reward
for your class.
Cycle Hire
Cycling enthusiasts can race ahead in
Alice Holt Forest thanks to the launch of a
brand new cycle centre.
Run by Parkwood Leisure, a leading
leisure management company which
operates sports and leisure facilities
throughout the UK, the new centre will
offer a range of bike-related activities
under Parkwood’s ‘Change Gear’ brand.
Visitors can hire brand new adult, junior
and adapted cycles as well as trailers
and tagalongs! Riders can also enjoy
guided rides in the forest with the
cycling-mad Change Gear team. The
centre also offers cycling themed parties
and bike servicing. Keep an eye out on
the website for balance bikes, clubs,
Bikeability and corporate offers!
New Year – Change Gear!
Hire a bike for half a day for only £5 from
1 Jan-28 Feb! Quote NEWYEAR10 (offer
excludes 16-20 February 2014).
Wheely Wednesday
Hire two bikes for the price of one!
Quote WHEELYWEDNESDAYS (excluding
holidays, cheapest hire free).
Please note – these offers cannot be
used in conjunction with any other offers.
To find out more, please speak to the
team at the centre which is open seven
days a week from 9am-4pm.
Alternatively, call them on
01420 521297 or check out
www.leisurecentre.com/alice-holtcycle-centre
Check out these special offers!
Booking is essential, please call 0300 067 4448/01483 326266. All activities start at the Forest Classroom. Price does not include parking.
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