Delamere Forest

Delamere Forest in Cheshire is the county’s largest woodland and a total magnet for anyone wanting to swap the city for some fresh air. It’s a massive, flexible space where you can be as lazy or as active as you fancy.

What’s on Offer?

• Walking & Hiking: There are three main waymarked trails. The Blakemere Trail is a wide, easy-going circular route around the mossland—great for a chatty stroll. If you want a view, head up the Old Pale Trail. It’s a bit of a climb, but on a clear day, you can see seven counties.
• Cycling: The Whitemoor Trail is the big one here. It’s an off-road circular loop that takes you deeper into the quiet parts of the woods. The surfaces are generally solid gravel, so standard hybrids or mountain bikes are fine.
• Go Ape: This is the big adrenaline draw. They have the Treetop Challenge (for adults and older kids) and Treetop Adventure (for the younger ones). It’s very hands-off for parents once the kids are up there, but you’ll need to keep an eye from the ground. There are strict height requirements: usually 1.2m for the adventure courses and 1.4m for the big stuff.
• Segway Tours: You can roam the forest floors on heavy-duty Segways. It’s a bit of a “seen it, done it” activity, but fun for a one-off.

Who is it for?

• Families: It’s a winner for all ages. The Gruffalo sculptures hidden in the woods are a massive hit with toddlers and primary school kids.
• Teens: They’ll likely find the walking boring, but they’ll love Go Ape or bringing their bikes for the more technical off-road bits.
• Adults: Perfect for a long, quiet hike or a dog walk. It’s more “interesting and refreshing” than “high-octane entertainment” unless you’re up in the trees.

The Logistics

• Time Spent: Most people spend about 3 to 4 hours here, though if you’re doing a long ride and a picnic, you can easily kill a whole day.
• Supervision: The forest is huge. While the main paths are safe, little ones need close supervision near the meres (lakes) and the deeper wooded areas where it’s easy to lose your bearings.
• Food & Drink: There’s a large, modern café near the main car park serving the usual coffee, cakes, and hot lunches. It can get pricey when the whole family wants a treat, so many people bring a picnic to have at the lakeside benches.
• Parking: It is definitely not free. In fact, the parking charges are famously a bit steep, so factor that into your budget.
• Discounts: Look out for membership schemes—if you visit more than a few times a year, a Forestry England membership pays for itself just by covering the parking costs. They also often have discounts for Blue Light Card holders on Go Ape bookings.

Nearby Extras

If you want to make a full day of it, the Station House café right by the Delamere train station is a lovely alternative for food. You’re also not far from Cheshire Oaks if you want to combine a morning walk with some afternoon shopping.