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051 Haldon Forest Park, Devon<br />
Address: Haldon Forest Park, Kennford EX6 7XR Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/haldonforestpark Tel: 0300<br />
0675826 (ranger’s office; info and Tramper bookings) Hours: daily; Apr–Oct 8.30am–9pm; Nov–Mar<br />
8.30am–5pm Dates: closed 25 Dec Entry: free; parking: £2–£4 (car), £15 (coaches)<br />
The Forestry Commission’s Haldon Forest Park has miles of graded walking, cycling<br />
and horseriding trails set in 3500 acres of glorious Devon woodland. Its accessibility<br />
means everyone can get a taste of the great outdoors and potentially spot birds of prey,<br />
butterflies and the rare black fallow deer that live in the forest.<br />
The park has two circular, 1.5-mile-long “all-ability” trails suitable for wheelchairs<br />
and people with restricted mobility. The Discovery Trail is quite level, and takes in a<br />
great viewpoint, while the Mamhead Sensory Trail offers tactile interpretation boards<br />
and sensory waymarkers as well as features designed to stimulate your senses. Besides<br />
these, there are several more demanding trails, which include sloping or rougher<br />
surfaces; visitors can hire special all-terrain powered scooters known as Trampers,<br />
which can handle the trails with ease (if you’ve never used a Tramper before, you’ll<br />
need to call in advance to arrange a short training session). In addition, you can hire<br />
specialist bicycles including wheelchair and recumbent bikes from Forest Cycle Hire<br />
(01392 833768) or even take a guided “glide” around the forest with Go-Segway! on<br />
their two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicles (07545 917416).<br />
The main car park, from where most trails are accessed, has three disabled spaces and<br />
a fully accessible toilet. Nearby you’ll find the ranger office, the café and the cycle hire and<br />
Tramper hire outlets (these can be brought to your car if requested). The rangers can help<br />
THE SOUTHWEST<br />
Haldon Forest Park<br />
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