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Welcome

Open all year, Bedgebury is the perfect place for healthy outdoor activity. The National Pinetum is home to a world leading collection of conifers and provides a beautiful setting for peaceful walks and picnics.  The Bedgebury Café has wonderful views across the Pinetum and Bedgebury Forest has miles of family cycling and mountain-biking, walking, and running. Bedgebury also has Go Ape tree top adventure, Tree Top Junior and an adventure play trail. Regular events are held throughout the year and you may also find a Gruffalo hiding in the woods!

We have tried to make Bedgebury as accessible as possible, but always welcome constructive feedback.

Autumn at Bedgebury

Level access

There is level access from the main entrance to:

We have a viewing area for wheelchair users.

Hearing

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Glass doors and full-height windows have contrast markings.
Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

General

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
Some staff have disability awareness training.

Getting here

Bedgebury Visitor Centre
Lady Oak Lane
Goudhurst
TN17 2SJ

Travel by public transport

Bedgebury is located in the countryside and is therefore more easily accessible by car or taxi. 

The number 254 bus from Tunbridge Wells gets the closest to the forest.  The nearest bus stop is Flimwell Corner Farm (near the Flimwell Crossroad). However the route from the bus stop to the forest is not on accessible footpaths. The nearest train station is Etchingham (on the Hastings line from Charing Cross or London Bridge).

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Maidstone Taxi Company by calling 01580 890003.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. Parking is not free.
There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point does not have a dropped kerb.

There are no steps around the site, but a number of gradients. Please ask at the Information Office by calling the office telephone during it's opening hours of 9.30am - 4.30pm.

Parking Bays Tarmac path from the car park to the Visitor Centre on a slight gradient

Arrival

Path to main entrance

The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The door is 2000mm wide.
The main entrance has 0 steps.
This entrance has a handrail.
The main door is side hung and manual.
The main door is sliding and automatic.

Whilst the Visitor Centre area has been changed to stay in line with government guidance for coronavirus, the automatic sliding door and ramp only leads to Bedgebury cafe.

To access the toilet inside the Visitor Centre follow the temporary signs for male or female toilets around the back of the building for step free access. See Manual doors to atrium and Bedgebury Cafe, which is currently propped open during the daytime.

Automatic sliding door to atrium and Bedgebury Cafe Manual doors to atrium and Bedgebury Cafe Manual doors to the Visitor Information Office Ramp access to atrium and the Bedgebury Cafe Payment machines, operating cashless payments only at present

Getting around inside

We have contrast markings on all glass doors and contrast markings on all full-height windows.
Some parts of the venue have low lighting.
Low level desk in the Visitor Information Office - currently closed Access into the disabled toilet Disabled toilet showing side access Access to the Bedgebury Cafe from the atrium

Ticket/ information desk

Visitor Information Office

The route is 2000mm wide, or more.
The door is 2500mm wide, or more.
The desk has a low section.

Currently closed but staff are contactable via contact details on the Information Office doors.

Things to See and Do

We have display information in: large print.

Spectator/ Audience viewing areas

There are stewards to help disabled visitors.
We have a viewing area for wheelchair users.

Public toilet

Visitor Centre Toilets

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
You need a RADAR key to open the public toilet.
The route is 1500mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 1500mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left.
There is 1000mm at the side of the toilet. There is 2000mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 400mm high. The toilets have handrails.

Shop

Visitor Information Office Shop

The route is 2000mm wide, or more. The door is 2000mm wide.
The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

Currently closed due to government guidance on distancing.

Place to eat and drink

Bedgebury Cafe

The route is 2000mm wide, or more. The door is 2000mm wide.
To get to a table, there are no steps.
If you need table service, staff can help you.
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
There is background music sometimes.
The table and plates have high colour contrast.
We cater for vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free) and vegan specific diets.

Atium

The route is 1500mm wide, or more.
The door is 1500mm wide.

Getting around outside

The route is 1500mm wide, or more.
The route is sloped.

Please note that Bedgebury is an outdoor attraction. Some sections of the site are 2500mm wide stoned paths. Due to the natural landscape the trail includes some gradual and steeper slopes. Paths can be uneven in places. Please call the Visitor Information Office for more details.

Example tarmac path to the tree collection Picnic tables at the Visitor Centre Upgraded (2018) stone path inside the National Pinetum. The photo also shows one of a number of timber benches. One of the older paths in the National Pinetum. These can be a little uneven in places. We hope to upgrade all the paths.

Designated Walking Trail

Pinetum Trail

The trail is 3000metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

Please note that Bedgebury is an outdoor attraction. Some sections of the site are 2500mm wide stoned paths. Due to the natural landscape the trail includes some gradual and steeper slopes. Paths can be uneven in places. Please call the Visitor Information Office for more details.

Picnic Area

The whole site

The path is 1500mm wide, or more.
The entrance is 2500mm wide.
Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Please note that Bedgebury is an outdoor attraction. Some sections of the site are 2500mm wide stoned paths. Due to the natural landscape the trail includes some gradual and steeper slopes. Paths can be uneven in places. Please call the Visitor Information Office for more details.

Customer care support

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

We have a Tramper, an all terrain mobility scooter. Please call 01580 879820 for further details.

The Bedgebury Tramper

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacution procedures for all visitors to deal with fire and other related issues. These are tested on a regular basis. Please call the Visitor Information Office for further details.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

We can provide some information in different formats if requested.

Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.