Wendover Woods - Forestry England

About

Set in a landscape shaped over thousands of years, Wendover Woods is a sheltered gateway to the rolling Chiltern Hills, offering a green escape just outside London.

Take in wide woodland views, explore upland paths and enjoy fresh hillside air. Bronze Age and later earthworks are still visible in the surrounding hills, adding a quiet sense of history.

Wendover Woods is known for its changing seasonal character, with spring bluebells, summer shade and vivid autumn colour. There’s a choice of waymarked routes, from steeper paths to gentler, accessible options. All offer elevated views.

Nearby facilities make it possible to enjoy the landscape whether you’re visiting for a short walk, a family day out or a longer adventure.

Facilities and your starting point

The visitor centre provides a welcoming base, with a café offering indoor and outdoor seating, toilets. There’s an Information Point where staff and volunteers can help with maps, trail choices and planning your time in the woods. Facilities are close together, making it easier to start or finish your visit comfortably.

Accessible toilets, including a Changing Places facility, are available.

Family experiences

Wendover Woods is well suited to families, offering space to play, explore and enjoy woodland at a pace that suits different ages.

Younger children can enjoy the woodland play trail, featuring nature‑inspired play structures along a clearly waymarked loop starting from the Information Point and returning to the café. The trail includes a full loop and a shorter shortcut, with viewpoints along the way, including the Red Kite lookout. Children may also spot familiar Gruffalo characters, adding a gentle, story‑inspired element to their walk.

Go Ape offers a high‑adventure option in the tree canopy for older children and teenagers.

Events, activities and seasonal experiences

Wendover Woods hosts a varied programme of events and experiences throughout the year. Highlights include summer outdoor performances, alongside wellbeing activities such as forest bathing and yoga, and winter trails.  

Nature, landscape and conservation

Located within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Wendover Woods is carefully managed for wildlife and conservation. The ancient woodland and conifer plantations support rich wildlife. See tiny firecrests flitting through the trees and red kites and buzzards circling high above the escarpment. In quieter areas, you may spot deer moving through the woodland, with a backdrop of butterflies and birdsong. Managed paths, quieter areas and places to pause allow you to enjoy both the calm and the drama of the landscape.

Membership, entry and further access information

There is no admission charge to access the forest or trails, although parking charges apply.

Membership options are available for frequent visitors, including Wendover Woods membership at just under £7 a month. Forestry England national membership is £8 a month, which provides free parking here and at forests across England including the Forest of Dean, Sherwood Forest and the New Forest.

For detailed access information — including trail surfaces, gradients and planning a quieter visit — please see the Wendover Woods access page or contact the team.