Delamere forest is the largest wooded area in Cheshire only a 15 minute drive from Chester. The woodland, which is managed by the Forestry Commission, covers an area of 972 hectares making it the largest area of woodland in the county. Go Ape Delamere is located within the forest.
It is a place for families to let off steam, escape the crowds and find peace in the heart of the forest.
Delamere Forest Walks
Delamere is an ideal place to go for a walk. There are dry sandstone paths, lots of mature trees to shade or shelter under depending on the weather and Blakemere Moss, a lake ideal for bird watchers. Delamere Forest provides many gentle forest roads and trails ideal for the less able or families with children. In addition, Old Pale provides a superb destination to walk to with spectacular views extending as far as Liverpool’s famous skyline of cathedrals and harbour buildings.
- Linmere Trail (green markers) – start at Delamere forest centre – green waymarkers – 1.7miles – 0.5 hours – easy
- Blakemere Trail (red markers) – start at Delamere forest centre – red waymarkers – 2.7 miles – 1.25 hours – easy
- Easy Access Trail- start at Barnsbridge car park- part of red trail – surfaced path leading down to the serene landscape of Blakemere.
- Old Pale Trail- (orange markers)-starts at Delamere forest centre- -(1.9miles)-1.5hours-Easy
Visitor Centre
Forestry England and construction firm Willmott Dixon have finished on schedule, the redevelopment of the brand-new Visitor Centre and facilities for the 750,000 visitors that visit the forest every year.
The £9 million redevelopment project, the largest ever commissioned by Forestry England, has seen new access roads and improved car parking for 500 cars, a large eco-friendly timber framed visitor welcome building, new café, bike hire and toilets including accessible facilities.
When coronavirus (COVID-19) arrived, and as the UK government introduced more stringent measures to reduce the spread in March, prompt action was needed by Willmott Dixon to ensure the summer 2020 project continued and completed on time
The recreation team at Delamere Forest have now formally taken hand over of the new building and as they settle in and get to grips with the running of this, more and more facilities have become available including the bike hire, café and toilets.
The new car park and ANPR has been up and running for over a month and early figures show how popular it has been. The team are finding this new way of working a benefit to site and easier to manage so we are hoping that they will settle in to operating the new building just as quickly.
Delamere Forest Bike Hire
Cycle hire is available from TRACS (UK) situated just on the left-handside of the forest centre car park. TRACS (UK) offers a good range of child and adult bike to hire. The well-stocked shop has a wide range of spares and accessories and they also provide bike repair service and mountain bike training courses. For more information visit their website.
Opening hours 10am-5pm.
Delamere Forest Cafe
Delamere Cafe is at the Forestry Commission Visitor Centre in Delamere Forest, Cheshire. Serving a wide range of freshly made hot and cold food and drinks from the finest ingredients. They use locally sourced produce and their coffee is roasted on the Wirral. Still hungry then look at our guide to Restaurants In Chester.
Delamere Forest Events
Beginner Navigation Course
This course held in Delamere Forest, is the perfect introduction to the art of navigation. You will gain an introduction to the skills you need to successfully plan and follow walks of your own devising. The course is practical and features time inside and outside to practise and gain advice and encouragement from our experienced instructors.
Delamere Santa Dash
Come and walk, jog or run this 5km fun run dressed as Santa Claus. Join 100’s of others in this festive run in Delamere Forest.
Delamere Zombie RunA 5km loop around Delamere Forest with zombies chasing runners. Suitable for all the family and adult indivduals
Forest Fitmamas N Babas
Puddle Ducks meets Delamere Outdoor Fitness for a post natal specific afternoon of activities.
Motherhood : A Walk Like No Other
This walk is an extension of this simple natural way of bonding. We take our slings into Delamere forest, giving us the perfect physical space to explore our bond, breath and connection with our babies, our environment and above all our inner space.
The Hunting Of The Snark
Burn the Curtain presents this theatrical adventure for the whole family in Delamere Forest.
Parking & Prices
There are several places to park at Delamere Forest. Payments can be made by cash or card.
Forest Centre Car Park – adjacent to the toilets, picnic area, learning centre, cycle hire and café. It has designated spaces for visitors with disabilities and is close to the start point for all the trails.
Treetops Car Park – close to Delamere train station with regular trains running between Chester and Manchester. It’s favourable location is only a mere 5 minute walk away from our forest centre, which boasts numerous visitor facilities including bike hire, cafe, toilets and picnic area. It is also the Go Ape customer car park.
Old Pale Car Park is a short way beyond Forest Centre car Park and a 2 minute walk from the visitor facilities. It is close to the start point for all the trails.
Whitefield Car Park is located off the B5152 and is the most suitable car park for horse-boxes due to its ample parking space. It has picnic facilities and is close to the trails. On peak weekends there may also be catering available.
| Forest Centre Car Park | |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £2.00 |
| Up to 3 hours | £4.00 |
| All day | £6.00 |
| Treetops Car Park | |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £2.00 |
| Up to 3 hours | £4.00 |
| All day | £6.00 |
| Old Pale Car Park | |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £2.00 |
| Up to 3 hours | £4.00 |
| All day | £6.00 |
| Whitefield Car Park | |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £1.00 |
| Up to 3 hours | £3.00 |
| All day | £4.00 |
Forest Centre Car Park, Treetops Car Park and Old Pale Car Park:
Minibus – £6.00
Coaches – £10.00
Other vehicles:
Motorbikes – £2.00
Horseboxes – £10.00
Cars & trailers – £6.00
Whitefield Car Park:
Minibus – £4.00
Coaches – £5.00
Other vehicles:
Motorbikes – £1.00
Horseboxes – £5.00
Cars & trailers – £4.00
Facilities & Access
- Assistant Dogs Welcome
- Baby Changing Facilities
- Cafe
- Cycle Hire
- Disabled Toilet
- Dogs Allowed
- Picnic Area
- Play Area
- Toilets
Opening Times
Summer time: 8am-8pm weekdays and 8am-8pm weekends
Winter time: 8am-5pm weekdays and 8am-5pm weekends
Whats On At Delamere Forest
Forage and Cookery Course with Totally Wild UK
–
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery Course in Cheshire! Join us on a journey to learn about the hidden world of wild edibles that surrounds us. And that’s not all! Enjoy a delicious wild food meal that will inspire you to pick up your foraging basket for your next adventure.
What to Expect on the Forage and Cookery Course in Cheshire
The foraging experience will last approximately 5-6 hours, giving you ample time to learn about foraging, explore the area, and enjoy a wild food meal!
You will be guided by a professional forager who will teach you about the rules and ethics of foraging. You’ll receive tips on how to confidently identify different plants, including their edible, medicinal, and herbal uses.
The foraging experience will involve a slow-paced walk with frequent stops to discuss and identify various plants, fruits, fungi, seaweeds, and tubers. The species you encounter may vary depending on the location, whether it’s an inland or coastal walk, and the season, but they’ll always be epic.
During the day, you’ll have the opportunity to sample an assortment of pre-made wild food items, including syrups, flavored salts, and alcohol infusions. These wild treats will give you a sneak peek into the incredible flavors that nature has to offer.
Following the foraging expedition, you can opt to participate in a communal cooking session, creating dishes that are inspired by the season and that celebrate the bounty of nature.
Past meals have included dishes like:
** Wild Garlic and Dehydrated Mushroom Fresh Rolls
** Elderflower Eton Mess
** Dandelion and Dulse Rice Noodle Salad
** Dandelion Root Crumb, Meadowsweet Cream & Birch Sap Syrup
After the event, you will receive an email detailing everything you foraged during the day, including harvesting tips, edibility and the best ways to get these tantilising ingredients into your everyday diets. The email will also include recipes from the lunch you enjoyed, so you can recreate the magic at home!
£70 per person
Busted at Delamere Forest
–
Pop-rock three piece Busted are set to delight fans with a selection of hits including ‘Year 3000’, ‘Air Hostess’ and ‘Sleeping With The Light On’. Impossible as it may seem, it’s been over twenty years since the much-loved band first bounced into the charts with the irrepressible energy of debut single ‘What I Go To School For’.
2023 saw the legendary band celebrate their 20th Anniversary with a sell-out Greatest Hits tour, before achieving a Number One album with ‘Greatest Hits 2.0’ the same year.
Busted will be supported by Twin Atlantic and SOAP.
Blossoms at Delamere Forest
–
Hot on the heels of their highly praised new album ‘Gary’, Blossoms will be heading back to their Cheshire roots for the Delamere Forest show on Saturday 21 June 2025.
Since forming in 2013, Blossoms have enjoyed widespread acclaim, with four UK Number 1 albums, BRIT Award and Mercury Prize nominations and a series of globe-trotting tours under their belts.
Fans can except a fun-filled offering from the indie-rock favourites, with new tracks like “I Like Your Look” and “Big Star” accompanied by earlier hits including “I Can’t Stand It”, “There’s A Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)”, “Charlemagne” and “Your Girlfriend”.
Blossoms will be supported by special guests The Guest List and Seb Lowe.
DEFEAT DELAMERE with Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
–
Defeat Delamere forest across a variety of distance runs; 5k, 10k, 10 Miler & Mini Miler!
Open to all abilities, whether you’re new to running or chasing a PB!
The Mini Miler is for the little people 4+ years old, to follow in the footsteps of the parents. Make it a family day out!
Chip timed event and podium finishing for those chasing a PB!
All runners get a FREE t-shirt & race day medal.
£4 ALL DAY parking in the Forestry England onsite car park.
The event is in aid of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, SIGN UP and set-up a Just Giving fundraising page.
The Stick Man Trail at Delamere Forest
Set off with a hop and twirl as you join Stick Man on his forest adventure.
The interactive family trail follows Stick Man on his journey as he tries to get back to the family tree. Enjoy the wonderful world of Stick Man as you complete lots of fun stick-based activities, discover tree-mendous facts and learn about forest wildlife.
Once you’ve helped Stick Man find his way back home, complete the rubbing in your adventure passport and take a picture with Stick Man in the family tree.
Stick Man trail Pack
Before you set off, pick up an activity pack for just £4 from the welcome point, It’s packed with fun activities to help you complete the trail.
Inside, you’ll find:
- a Kraft bag to colour in.
- a Stick Man lanyard to wear.
- adventure stamp stickers.
- adventure passport cards to fill in and stick your stamps onto.
- pencil and crayon.
- a pipe cleaner to make your own Stick Man.
Share your adventure snaps using the #StickManTrail hashtag.
Contact Information
Telephone Number – 0300 067 4340
Email – delamere@forestryengland.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Delamere Forest Open?
Delamere Forest is open Monday to Sunday from 8am to 7pm
Are Delamere Forest toilets open?
Delamere Forest toilets are open in the brand new Visitor Centre
How big is Delamere Forest?
The Forest is 2,400 acres big
Does Delamere Forest have toilets?
Delamere Forest have toilets in their brand new visitor centre
Who owns Delamere Forest?
The Forest is owned by the Forestry Commision
Where is Delamere Forest?
Delamere Forest is in the village of Delamere in Cheshire. Approx 15 minute drive from Chester
Address
Delamere Forest, Delamere, Tarporley, Cheshire, Postcode CW8 2JD
