The Forest Centre is at the heart of the Forest of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire. One of 12 Community Forests across the UK, our challenge is to use trees and woodlands to transform 61 square miles between Bedford and Milton Keynes, repairing a landscape scarred by decades of clay extraction, brick making and landfill.

We have already planted around 1 million trees and by 2030 we will plant 5 million more, working with local communities, government and businesses, to create new woods and other wild places for everyone to enjoy.

The Forest Centre itself is a modern building, half of which is constructed using locally sourced timber. Inside is the Lakeside cafe which provides a great place to relax and take in the beautiful views while sampling our home-cooked food. We also have a lively interactive exhibition which tells the story of Marston Vale so far and looks to the future.

Near to the Centre is an Adventure Playground for children and a charming wildlife garden. For walkers and cyclists, we’ve got eight kilometers of traffic-free, surfaced footpaths and cycle paths. There’s no need to bring a bike, you can just hire one here! Explore the beautiful wetland nature reserve on the wetland trail and take a peek at the wealth of birdlife around you, from one of our hides.

With our ongoing programme of events and workshops, there is something for everyone – come and explore!