Ad | Created in partnership with @thenatforest
Have you heard of The National Forest?
I’ll be honest, I hadn’t fully grasped what it was before
we visited.
It isn’t one single forest, but a mosaic of landscapes,
habitats, wetlands and former industrial sites across
the Midlands, gradually being brought back to life by
the planting of millions of trees.
We spent a weekend exploring two different sites on
two wheels, visiting Calke Explore and Hicks Lodge,
and we had such a good time.
Both spots made cycling with kids feel easy: bike hire
on site, well-marked trails, cafés and playgrounds.
Calke Explore felt gentle and green, with woodland
trails and open space within the Calke Abbey estate.
Hicks Lodge had more of a trail-centre feel, with easy
mountain bike loops you can build up depending on
confidence.
A really easy outdoorsy weekend if you’re looking for
traffic-free family cycling, somewhere new to explore,
and a bit of fresh air without needing to plan a massive
trip.
Save this for a family cycling weekend in the Midlands
🚲🌳
One month on from planting our 10 millionth tree, we’re still feeling the ripple of support and pride. 💚 Dame Judi Dench, @backshall.steve@alantitchmarshcbe and @benfogle have all shared powerful reflections on what the National Forest represents - renewal, community, and the power of trees to transform lives and landscapes. 🌳
We’re so grateful for every voice that’s helped tell this story. Here’s to the next chapter of the Forest we’re growing together. 🙏
#theNationalForest #trees #landscapes #wildlife #habitats #communities
🌳🌿🌸 This #NationalHedgerowWeek we’re taking a moment to celebrate the quiet power of hedgerows - the living boundaries that connect habitats, shelter wildlife, and help stitch the National Forest together.
From nesting birds to foraging mammals to the insects that keep our ecosystems thriving, hedgerows are busy, biodiverse corridors that support life at every turn 🐦🐝.
As we continue to grow the Forest, restoring and protecting these ancient features is a vital part of creating a greener, more resilient landscape for generations to come. 💚
Watch as our Estate Officer, Finn explains just how important hedgerows really are...
#thenationalforest #wildlife #hedgerows #habitats
We did it - thank you! 💚
Your generosity during Earth Raise week has helped us reach our target, unlocking vital support for the restoration of Albert Village Lake. 🌿
Together, we’re creating new habitats, protecting returning species, and bringing new life to this former industrial landscape. 🦋
Thank you for making this possible. 🙏
the perfect woodland hike in the national forest, the needwood circular walk🌳 your sign to head out and explore more with the National Forest Walking Festival, 15th-29th may @thenatforest ad
🚨 This is it! Your final chance to double your donation.
Until midday, every gift you make will be matched through the Big Give, helping restore habitats and support wildlife at Albert Village Lake.
Thank you for everything you’ve helped us achieve so far - let’s finish strong. 💚🌿
Donate via the #LinkInBio before it’s too late.
#EarthRaise #BigGive #LastChance #DoubleTheDifference #AlbertVillageLake #NatureRestoration #WildlifeRecovery
⏳ Just 1 DAY left to double your impact.
Until 29 April, every donation you make will be matched - helping restore nature at Albert Village Lake and bring more wildlife back to this special place.
If you’ve been thinking about donating, now is the perfect moment. 🌿💚
Donate now via the link in bio.
#EarthRaise #BigGive #DoubleYourImpact
ad | Spring has arrived @thenatforest 🌿
Here’s the warblers I heard singing around Albert Village Lake a former clay pit that’s been quietly transforming into one of the best warbler spots in the Midlands.
When I visited the site was packed out with warblers. Chiffchaffs shouting their names, Blackcaps warbling away, Willow Warblers singing their sweet decending song, Whitethroats fresh back from a winter in West Africa and resident Cetti’s Warbler singing their explosive song around the edges of the lake.
This week I’m supporting the National Forest’s Earth Raise campaign with biggive every donation made to support the work at Albert Village Lake via biggive.org will be doubled until 29th April.
#earthraise #birdsong #warblers #nature #conservation
💚 You’re making a difference.
We’re halfway through Earth Raise, and your support is already helping us move closer to restoring nature at Albert Village Lake. 🙏
Every donation this week is doubled - thank you for helping us build momentum. Let’s keep going. 🌿
Help us reach our goal via the #LinkInBio.
#EarthRaise #BigGive #DoubleTheDifference
do you want to help restore nature but don’t know how? ad
To celebrate #earthday @biggiveorg are running their Earth Raise Initiative, to double your donations to help charities like the @thenatforest aid natures return 💚
It’s hard to believe that Albert Village Lake was previously a mining site when it now looks like this, thriving with wildlife and breeding birds. This site is actual evidence of where your money goes and how it can actually restore an entire habitat 🌳
Any donation you make to the The National Forests campaign through @biggiveorg between April 22 - 29, will be DOUBLED by generous philanthropists.
Head to the link in my bio to make a donation and make a difference 💚
#earthraise #naturerecovery #planetearth #conservation
We’re live! 💚
From today until 29 April, every donation you make will be doubled through the Big Give, helping restore nature at Albert Village Lake and bringing more wildlife back to this special place for people to reconnect with.🌿
This is your moment to make twice the impact. 🌍
Thank you for standing with us. 🙏
Donate now via the link in bio.
#EarthRaise #DoubleTheDifference
Tomorrow we start something powerful. 🌍
For one week only, every donation you make will be doubled, helping restore habitats and bring more wildlife back to Albert Village Lake.🌿
Thank you for standing with us - the difference we can make together begins at noon. 💚✨
Get ready to donate via the link in bio.
#EarthRaise #DoubleTheDifference
