What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 5pm

Forest of Marston Vale

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Forest of Marston Vale

We're a charity planting trees and creating woodlands to make life better for people and nature in the Marston Vale 🌳 We can’t do this alone.
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We’re the Forest of Marston Vale Trust, a charity leading the environmental, social and economic regeneration of 61 square miles between Bedford and Milton Keynes through the creation of the Forest of Marston Vale. By planting trees, creating and managing diverse habitats, we’re transforming this area from a landscape scarred by industry to one where people want to live, work, invest and spend tim

e. Because when nature thrives, we all do – very simply, trees make life better, for people for nature and for the planet. We are proud to be one of England’s Community Forests, 15 organisations that together form England’s largest environmentally-led regeneration project. We’ll keep uniting local communities, businesses, landowners and decision makers to help grow the Forest. Whether you can plant a tree, offer land for planting, have time to volunteer or can donate or fundraise for the Forest – we need your help. Every contribution makes a difference. The Forest of Marston Vale Trust is a registered charity (No. 1069229)

22/06/2026

☀️ Hot weather update

With temperatures set to rise this week, we're making a few temporary changes in the Forest Centre café to help keep our team and visitors comfortable.

🥓 Breakfast will be served until 11:00am
🍴 A limited menu will be available from 11am onwards

We'll continue to monitor the weather and keep you updated if anything changes.

The Forest Centre will remain open as normal:
📅 Monday to Sunday
🕘 9:00am – 5:00pm
🚗 Car park open until 8:00pm daily

🧋Need a cool-down stop? We've got you covered with our Summer Specials! Enjoy refreshing coolers, iced coffees, milkshakes and a selection of ice creams in the café

Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to see you soon 🙂

21/06/2026

From tiny trees to thriving habitats 🌼

This week's view from College Wood in Silsoe shows just how quickly new woodlands can begin supporting nature.

While the young trees continue to establish and recover from the dry, windy conditions experienced in May, the site is already alive with wildflowers, providing valuable food and shelter for pollinators and other wildlife.

Any trees lost during establishment will be replaced this winter, helping this future woodland continue to grow and flourish.

Trees for Climate is a multi-million pound tree planting programme supported by Defra, funded and supported by the UK Government 🌳

Thinking about creating woodland on your land? Trees for Climate can help farmers and landowners access funding and support to plant trees that benefit nature, climate and the wider landscape.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4cE8PK2

18/06/2026

Did you know? 👀

Every year, the Forest of Marston Vale:

🌳 Sequesters an estimated 6,220 tonnes of carbon
💚 Provides physical and mental health benefits valued at £5.71 million
🙌 Is supported by volunteers who contribute an average of 4,800 hours

That's the power of a thriving Forest.

By becoming a Friend of the Forest, you're helping us care for and grow green spaces across the Forest of Marston Vale - while enjoying benefits including free parking at the Forest Centre, free entry to the Wetlands Nature Reserve, and more.

🌳 Become a Friend of the Forest: https://bit.ly/48aocsq

*Figures taken from our Progress and Impacts Study

17/06/2026

Can trees and farming work together? 🌳

At Rectory Farm near Milton Keynes, the Hobbs family worked with our Forest Creation Team through the Trees for Climate programme, funded by the UK Government, to integrate trees into their regenerative farming system.

By creating areas of wood pasture alongside their British Beef Shorthorn cattle, the project is helping to support biodiversity, improve the farmed landscape and demonstrate how trees can work alongside productive agriculture.

Projects like this show how farmers and landowners can use tree planting to deliver lasting benefits for nature, climate, and their businesses 🌱

📖 Read the full case study and see how Trees for Climate could work on your land: https://bit.ly/4vXGqHd

16/06/2026

From summer holiday adventures and family fun to tribute nights, live music and getting outdoors, there’s something for everyone this summer in the Forest ☀️

What's on:

💚 Volunteer days every Thursday throughout summer at various locations

🎤 Spice Girls tribute night - 26th June

✨ ABBA tribute night - 17th July

🦖 ROARsome crafts - 23rd July

🦕 Jurassic trail - 27th July to the 9th August

🪄 Krisgar's magic show - 7th August

🐘 Jungle crafts - 14th August

🐷 Farmyard trail - 18th August to the 25th August

🌺 Afternoon tea with Lilo & Stitch - 27th August

🏢 Little City at the Forest Centre - 28th August

Find out more & book now: https://bit.ly/3RNfScR
We can't wait to see you 💚

13/06/2026

Join us at the Forest Centre for our delicious range of Summer Special drinks ☀️

🍓 Strawberry iced matcha latte

🥤 Mega milkshakes – available in Cookies & cream or Caramel

✨ Iced lemonade refreshers – choose from mango, Parma Violet, or raspberry & pomegranate

☕ Luxury iced latte

Whether you're looking for something fruity, creamy, or perfectly refreshing, we've got the ideal drink to help you make the most of the sunshine! - Which one will you be trying first? 🙂

12/06/2026

Calling all 90s pop fans! ✨

This June the Forest Centre will be filled with Girl Power as Spice Forever take to the stage for the ultimate Spice Girls tribute night!

Expect huge singalong hits, iconic dance routines, replica costumes and all the energy of the world’s biggest girl band 🎤

Grab your friends, dust off the double denim and get ready for a night of pure nostalgia and feel-good fun! 💖

Buy your ticket now: https://bit.ly/4nVhOff

11/06/2026

Important notice ❗

Please be aware that the annual Marston Moretaine 5K will be taking place tomorrow evening (12th June) 🏃

As part of the event, the driveway at the Forest Centre will be closed between 6:50pm and 8:30pm, and the run route will be using the southern loop of the park.

Thank you for your patience while the event takes place 💚

09/06/2026

Spend your summer making a difference outdoors 🌿

Join our friendly volunteer days this summer and help care for the Forest of Marston Vale - from maintaining habitats and paths to improving spaces for both people and wildlife to enjoy.

Whether you’re looking to give back to nature, meet new people or simply spend more time outdoors, we’d love to welcome you 💚

Here’s what’s coming up:

🌳 11th June: Bench maintenance in Marston Moretaine
🌳 25th June: Ragwort pulling in Marston Moretaine
🌳 9th July: Ragwort pulling in Willington
🌳 23rd July: Ragwort pulling in Marston Moretaine
🌳 6th August: Ragwort pulling in Marston Moretaine
🌳 20th August: Site maintenance in Marston Moretaine
🌳 3rd September: Woodland edge management in Wootton
🌳 10th September: Scrub management in Marston Moretaine
🌳 17th September: Woodland edge management, location TBC
🌳 24th September: Meadow raking in Marston Moretaine

Find out more about why we hold these sessions, and register your interest now: https://bit.ly/44aVjcv

We can’t wait to see you! 🌞

08/06/2026

Exciting opportunity at the Forest Centre - please share! 🌳

We’re looking for an experienced and proactive Facilities Manager to help keep the Forest Centre running smoothly for our visitors, staff and event clients.

This is a varied, hands-on role managing everything from Health & Safety and maintenance to site security, contractors and event set-ups - helping ensure our buildings and spaces are safe, welcoming and well-presented every day.

The role includes:
🌿 Practical facilities and maintenance work
🌿 Site security and Health & Safety responsibilities
🌿 Working in a unique setting overlooking the Millennium Country Park
🌿 Option of onsite accommodation in a large 2-bedroom flat with utilities included

📍 Marston Moretaine
📅 Closing date: 12th June 2026

Find out more and apply now: https://bit.ly/3HHpqB3

Address

The Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine
Bedford
MK430PR

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441234767037

Website

http://www.marstonvale.org/

Alerts

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