Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest Reviews Summary

Parking

Pros:

• "Parking is a single charge of £11 weekdays and £14 weekends with plenty of spaces."
• "Parking is £10 a day but may be better to get membership for £72 which gives free parking all year."
• "The car parking fee is per car, with no additional fees to access the site, which worked well."
• "Parking is paid for the day so no need to rush back to the car."
• "The car park may seem high priced, at £13 but....considering that's for everyone in the car and the amount of time you can spend here, I think it's well worth it."
• "Good value entry £14 for a car which seemed reasonable for a family: £3.50 each for 4 people."
• "Parking is plentiful but not cheap (10 or 14£ depending on day) but no other entrance ticket is needed so pack the car out with family for best value."

Cons:

• "Parking charge £14.80 for 1 hour and 20 minutes."
• "Parking charges are a bit on the expensive side."
• "The £14.50 parking charge is extremely excessive (charged per day regardless of visit duration)."
• "Parking is rather steep at £10 and for the whole day."
• "Lovely place to walk but one thing I think was totally unacceptable (parking) they have put up price to £14.50 from £11.00 just because of school holidays."
• "Parking is very expensive at £14.50 flat fee during weekends and school holidays."
• "The parking fee is modest if you consider what you are getting, particularly for a family."

Facilities & Maintenance

Pros:

• "The main parkland is beautifully maintained with lots of info boards to enlighten your walk."
• "There are several walks through the pinetum varying in length. They are wheelchair accessible albeit with some gradual slopes."
• "The Pinetum is perfect for prams, strollers and those with limited mobility as it’s concrete paths are wide."
• "It is very clean and tidy."
• "Paths are mostly gravel, good for walking."
• "Great and versatile place for walks, cycles, days out with or without children."
• "A really wonderful space. They've got a beautiful collection of well kept trees, displayed in an enchanting area of woodland."

Cons:

• "It's a great shame that there isn't a toilet at the playground."
• "The paths were not really suitable for young cyclists so we put their bikes back in the car boot after a few minutes."
• "They say dog-friendly but dogs are on leads everywhere unless you go right out into the wilds."
• "We noticed people have left their poo bags with poo in on the floor."
• "No wonder the car parks were fairly empty, many families with kids probably can't justify the expense."
• "Seems slightly defunct having a disabled loo too if it’s a trek away from anywhere."
• "Please consider some kind of mobile toilet around the park for those whose bladders can’t wait!"

Activities & Attractions

Pros:

• "One of the best Christmas lights we had seen."
• "Special mention to the staff who are beyond helpful and full of Christmas cheer."
• "There are so many little play areas dotted around the walk each one very different to the others."
• "We recently attended Christmas at bedgebury. It was wonderful, the lights were breathtaking and the music really did fit well."
• "The second year our family has enjoyed the Christmas light show at Bedgebury and we are already looking forward to next year!"
• "Good place to go walking for people of all ages."
• "We were here last night for the Christmas lights and it was fantastic."

Cons:

• "The play trail is good, but the signage is hard to follow which isn’t fun with small kids in tow."
• "Food and drink offering was extremely poor and massively overpriced."
• "However nature is a gift and not owned, should not be charged unreasonable fee for parking."
• "Not much sun so colours aren't at their best!"
• "Great place and always has been but recently the car park is getting ridiculously priced."
• "Lights were great but far too other many negatives."
• "The expanded cafe is better, albeit needs better management in places."

Value & Cost

Pros:

• "The parking fee is modest if you consider what you are getting, particularly for a family."
• "We bought an annual membership which needs 4 or 5 times to make it worth it and means we visit more often."
• "The cafe has a good range off food."
• "With a choice of cycle routes for both family and experienced riders and ample walks with picnic area this is a great place to take your family."
• "Absolutely beautiful place."
• "The cafe was clean and staff were helpful."
• "Great cafe with excellent coffee."

Cons:

• "I would say my only issue is the cost of parking £14."
• "I know it's difficult, expensive even to lay smooth wheelchair friendly pathways but at £13 parking entry it felt a bit costly to only be able to spend an hour or so."
• "The car park fee was £13 all day."
• "A lovely place to visit but completely spoiled by the extortionate parking charges."
• "Unfortunately the food in the cafe was far too expensive for what it is, £9.50 just for an average burger and nothing else."
• "The parking charges are outrageous, £14.50 at the weekend?"
• "The only let down was the cost of parking £14 to park on weekends and bank holidays."