Conkers Discovery Centre at Moira in the heart of the National Forest

Established in 1990, the newly created National Forest is an area of 520 km² (200 square miles) of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire in England. It stretches from the outskirts of Leicester in the east to Burton upon Trent and beyond in the west, and links the ancient forests of Needwood and Charnwood.

[edit] National Forest Company

The National Forest Company is a private company aiming to convert one third of the land within the boundaries of the National Forest (135 km², 33,000 acres) to woodland, by persuading landowners to alter their land use. It is described as "a forest in the making" and it is hoped to increase tourism and forestry-related jobs in the area. By 2007, over 7 million trees had been planted, increasing the tree cover from 6% to 17%.^[1]

[edit] Planting

Planting of the forest began in 1990, with over seven million trees being planted as of November 2006.^[2] The National Forest Company aims to plant in the region of 20 million trees over the next 30 – 40 years, eventually covering one third of the land area in the National Forest.

The aim is to have a split of 60% broadleaf and 40% conifer trees. Some of the most commonly planted species are: English oak, ash, poplar, corsican and scots pine.^[3]

The transformation of the landscape is beginning to take effect as the first tiny whips to be planted in the early 90s are growing into substantial trees. Eventually it will be a mosaic of woodland, open spaces, agricultural farm land, villages and towns.

[edit] Attractions within The National Forest

Falconry at Rosliston Visitor Centre

At the centre of the National Forest, is Conkers, a visitor centre located just outside the village of Moira, Leicestershire. There is also a visitor centre with wildlife walks and playgrounds at Rosliston.

Other attractions include:

• Ashby Canal
• Ashby Canal Association
• Ashby Canal Trust
• Ashby Castle, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
• Ashby de-la-Zouch museum, Ashby de-la-Zouch
• Bardon Hill - highest point in the National Forest at 912 feet above sea level.
• Barton Turns Marina, Barton under Needwood
• Battlefield Line Railway,
• Billa Barra Hill
• Beacon Hill, Leicestershire
• Beehive Farm, Rosliston
• Bradgate Park
• BCTV Conservation Holidays
• Calke Abbey, Ticknall
• Catton Hill
• Claymills Victorian Pumping Station
• Conkers, Moira
• Crackpotz Ceramic Cafe,
• Croxall Lakes
• Donington le Heath Manor House
• Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts, Ashby de-la-Zouch
• Foremark Reservoir, Foremark
• Forest Four Wheel Drive
• Fradley Junction
• Grace Dieu Priory
• Greenwood Days
• Hill Hole Quarry
• Kedleston Hall
• Lakeside Lodge Tearooms
• Melbourne Hall
• Moira Furnace
• Mount St. Bernard Abbey
• National Forest Llama Treks
• National Memorial Arboretum
• North West Leicestershire Museums
• Rosliston Forestry Centre
• Sence Valley Forest Park
• Sharpes Pottery Museum, Swadlincote
• Shortheath Fisheries
• Skylark Holidays
• Snibston Discovery Park
• Staunton Harold Reservoir & Visitor Centre
• Sudbury Hall
• Swadlincote Ski & Snowboard Centre
• TG Green Pottery
• The Cattows Farm Shop & Heather
• The Museum of Brewing at Coors Visitor Centre
• The National Forest Maze
• The Shoulder of Mutton
• Thornton Reservoir
• Tropical Birdland, Leicestershire
• Twycross Zoo
• Uttoxeter Heritage Centre
• Uttoxeter Racecourse
• Willesley Wood

As well as Ashby de la Zouch, the towns of Burton upon Trent, Swadlincote and Coalville are also located within the forest area.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The National Forest Website
• Rosliston Forestry Centre
• Conkers Website