Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire

Perhaps England’s most famous forest, the magical Sherwood Forest has been a legend in the making for centuries, irrevocably intertwined with local folklore. Believed to be the favourite haunt of the enigmatic Robin Hood, the forest’s 375 hectares thrum with the beating hearts of thousands of ancient oaks – making Sherwood the biggest and best sanctuary for these trees in Europe. A particularly special resident of the forest is the Major Oak, a mighty oak tree dated at around 1,000 years old.

Wentwood Forest, Monmouthshire

Wentwood Forest in Monmouthshire is one of the largest forests in Wales and forms one of the last remnants of a sweeping forest belt that once stretched from the River Usk to the Wye. Long the home of forest-dwellers, Wentwood still features a number of Bronze Age tumuli (funeral barrows) scattered across its ridge-tops. Adding to its mystical qualities, the forest shelters a large number of weird and wonderful fungi, including the fire-engine red fly agaric, the bulbous white earthball and the flamboyant chanterelle. 

Thetford Forest, Norfolk

The largest lowland pine forest in Britain, Thetford Forest comprises a patchwork of pines, heathland and broadleaves. Full of intrigue, the history of the forest is rich and varied, yet today it mostly draws visitors for its wealth of walking and biking trails. With 18,730 hectares to explore, just some of the discoveries you can make include a beautiful arboretum and Britain’s only underground Neolithic flint mine, Grimes Graves, which first came into existence more than 5,000 years ago. 

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Loch Lomond

Surrounding the stunning Loch Lomond, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is a place of raw beauty. One of Britain’s most magical forests, its 20,000-hectare mass comprises mountain high, valley low and wide-open moorland – with stunning scenery at every turn. As well as being an enchanting spot for two-legged visitors, the forest is home to beautiful wildlife too including buzzards, peregrines, deer and red squirrels. A peaceful sanctuary that calls for year-round exploration, you will find beauty here throughout the seasons. 

The New Forest, Hampshire

Soon after his invasion in the 11th century, William the Conqueror claimed the New Forest as his own, principally for hunting. 1,000 years on, his ‘Nova Foresta’ remains much unchanged and exudes the same mystery and romance that first captured the attention of the French King of England. Encompassed by ancient heath, the New Forest’s adumbral depths beckon for sun-dappled walks amongst the lean trunks of countless trees sheltering a huge array of wildlife, including the Forest’s mystical New Forest ponies.

Galloway Forest Park, Dumfries and Galloway

Scotland is home to seven of the ten largest forests in the UK, making it an exciting destination for wilderness seekers. The largest of these forests, Galloway Forest Park, covers an enormous 77,000 hectares of tree-blanketed land and is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. Whether you are looking to immerse yourself in activity or tranquillity, its easy to both seize the action and escape the world for a while in this bosky haven. For romantic evenings, this forest is also a recognised Dark Sky Park – perfect for stargazing loch-side. 

Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

A place that has attracted wanderers for thousands of years, the Forest of Dean and its surrounds have been inhabited since Mesolithic times, with the remains of megalithic monuments still to be found today. With the forest extensively exploited for centuries, its history has been scarred by hunting and deforestation. Yet today, amongst the swaying arms of deciduous and evergreen trees, its hard to not get swept away by the pervading sense of majesty and calm that still infuses an unshakeable sense of wonder.