Have a low-cost Adventure in the Forest this Summer

One in seven parents*believe their finances won’t stretch to cover any summer activities for their children this year, and with prices tending to rise from activity led businesses during the peak summer period – Mansfield 103.2 are on a mission to find low-cost, high-impact activities to do this summer.

One such activity is discovering our local green spaces, with Sherwood Pines, ran by Forestry England, offering a host of low-cost activities throughout the Summer.

Based on the edge of Kings Clipstone, the site is renowned for its annual live music concerts – however the 5.5 Square Mile beauty spot offers way more, making it the perfect place for a Great Day Out for those of all ages.

From a range of separate walking and cycle routes to low-cost activities including Disc Golf and exploration trails for families, the historic Sherwood Pines is encouraging families to spend time in the Forest this summer by discovering the Gruffalo Trail and celebrating the much loved characters 25^th birthday.

The site boats a 1.1km route that’s suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, packed with interactive features.

Sherwood Pines’ Visitors Services Officer Lacey Nettleship said “The idea is that as you walk around the trail there’s lots of different activities that you can do – it’s encouraging children to get out and about in the forest and enjoy nature, capturing their imagination in the processes.

We have three different options for the Gruffalo Trails this year, if you’re a Julia Donaldson fan – it’s the best place to be!

We have our party trail, we have a new Olympic themed extension which is absolutely free, and we have our Gruffalo orienteering trail too which is an introduction into map reading for young children – age 3-4 upwards.

You’re given a map that you have to follow to find clues with the Forest to answer certain questions, which lead you around to finding sculptures of all of the Gruffalo characters.”

The Olympic themed trail which is a FREE add-on this summer invites visitors to embark on a quest to find hidden Gruffalo character signs and enjoy some sporty challenges along the way and runs from 23^rd July to 16^th September.

The Gruffalo party trail celebrates the much loved characters 25^th birthday and features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

Follow the trail to help find the missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember. Search for balloons, pinecones, apples and the Gruffalo himself, and complete fun activities and rubbings as you go along – activity packs can be purchased for just £4 per pack from the visitors’ centre.

Another great activity at the pines is the nine-hole disc golf, where players of all ages throw Frisbees style discs at fixed targets around the tree line field, the player with the lowest number of total throws wins!

Active Forest Coordinator Jess Tullberg said “The Disc Golf course has been here for around three-and-a-half years now and it’s been a great success because it’s an inclusive family activity.

You see cross-generations having ago, from a two-year old right through to grandma and grandad, they just love it!

It’s a relatively cheap activity for a day out as you can hire four discs for just £12 and you can go around the course as many times as you like”.

The location, which can also be reached via public transport from Mansfield Town centre, also boats several children’s play-area, open fields for picnics and play, along with cycle hire facilities, café and accessible changing facilities.

The site takes pride in being inclusive, with a path specifically designed for wheelchair users and pushchairs. The Archer’s Stroll is a mile long and is designed to be an all weather surface, taking in some of the oldest trees in the forest with seating and a picnic bench along the way and at the Dragonfly Pond.

Open from 8am until 10pm daily, there is vast car parking on-site with a full day costing £11 to park, however parking is FREE if you become a member.

*SOURCE: https://www.credit-connect.co.uk/news/2-3m-parents-cant-afford-any-summer-activities-for-their-children/#:~:text=2.3m%20parents%20can't,for%20their%20children%20%2D%20Credit%20Connect