Description
Alice Holt Forest is a Forestry England woodland at Bucks Horn Oak, near Farnham on the Surrey and Hampshire border, with one waymarked cycle route: the Family Cycle Trail, graded easy (green), a gravel loop of about 3 miles (4.8 km) past ancient oaks and meadows. It is free to ride and there is no charge at all for anyone arriving by bike. You can hire bikes on site, including baby seats and tagalongs, a weekly inclusive cycling session offers adapted bikes, and the cafe, play areas and visitor centre make it an easy half-day with a family. The forest is also the northern start of the 50 mile Shipwrights Way to Portsmouth for gravel and bikepacking riders. There are no mountain bike trails or skills areas.
The Family Cycle Trail
The Family Cycle Trail is the forest's only waymarked cycle route. It follows blue waymarkers from the visitor centre area for about 3 miles (4.8 km) on a gravel surface, and Forestry England grades it Easy (green), suitable for almost all riders. It takes in ancient oaks, wildflower-rich open spaces, a picnic meadow midway along and another meadow beside Lodge Pond. Forestry England describes it as a way for the whole family to see the wider forest.
- Take care at the start, where there is a long, steep downhill section.
- Supervise children closely because of the loose gravel surface, and wear a helmet at all times.
- The trails map also marks an all-ability cycle track close to the activity centre.
There are no mountain bike trails, jumps or skills area at Alice Holt, so riders after technical riding will want to look further afield. The forest is a calm place to build a child's confidence, to ride a gentle loop on a hybrid or gravel bike, or to link into longer routes.
Gravel Riding and the Shipwrights Way
The forest sits on the Shipwrights Way, a 50 mile route for walkers, cyclists and, where possible, horse riders, running south from Alice Holt over the South Downs and through Bordon, Liphook, Liss, Petersfield and Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Portsmouth. The first section from Bentley station to Alice Holt is tarmac and then gravel, and the section from the forest to Cradle Lane is wide, well-surfaced gravel track. Cyclists must dismount at the railway crossing on the first section. See the Hampshire County Council Shipwrights Way pages for section maps and any closures. National Cycle Network Route 22 also runs through the forest towards Farnham, Bordon and Petersfield.
Bike Hire
Go Ape runs bike hire from its Nets and Bike Hire area, on the far left of the main car park beyond the visitor centre. Helmets are included, and baby seats and tagalongs are available. Hire is for 2 hours, 4 hours or all day, and Forestry England lists opening times of 10:00 to 15:00 at weekends in term time and during school holidays. Booking online in advance is recommended, and a security deposit is needed. Book on the Go Ape Forest Biking page.
- Adult bike: 2 hours £20, 4 hours £30, all day £40
- Child bike (up to 16 years): 2 hours £15, 4 hours £25, all day £30
- Child balance bike: 2 hours £12
- Baby seat: 2 hours £12, 4 hours £14, all day £16
- Tagalong: 2 hours £15, 4 hours £25, all day £30
Prices are correct as of October 2026 but subject to change, so check current rates on the venue's website before you book.
Inclusive Cycling
Alice Holt Inclusive Cycling is a volunteer-run centre with a fleet of bikes for riders with disabilities, who also help you choose a suitable bike and show you where to ride. Sessions run every Thursday from 09:30 to 12:30, first come, first served, though booking is advised. The charge is £3.00 for the rider and carers ride for free. Groups and charities can arrange exclusive days by appointment, and sessions can be cancelled in rain or other bad weather. See the Alice Holt Inclusive Cycling website or email help@aliceholtinclusivecycling.com.
Prices are correct as of October 2026 but subject to change, so check current rates on the venue's website before you book.
Women's Groups and Sessions
Breeze into the Forest runs free, women-only group rides at Alice Holt for all abilities, organised by British Cycling and Forestry England. Each ride is led by a trained Breeze Champion and covers the forest and the lanes around it, with tea and cake at the cafe afterwards. Riders must be 16 or over unless accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential through the Breeze into the Forest page, and parking charges still apply.
Parking and Prices
Cycling the trail is free. Arriving on foot, by bike or motorbike is free, and Forestry England offers free admission to anyone arriving by public transport or bike. Car parking is cashless (card, Apple Pay or Google Pay) and open from 08:00 to 20:00, and prices vary with the season:
- Standard (weekends April to October, school holidays and bank holidays): early bird (exit before 10:30) £3.00, up to 2 hours £6.50, up to 4 hours £11.50, all day £15.00
- Off peak (Monday to Friday April to October outside school holidays, and weekends November to March outside school holidays): early bird £3.00, up to 2 hours £5.00, up to 4 hours £8.50, all day £12.00
- Super off peak (Monday to Friday November to March, term time): early bird £3.00, up to 2 hours £4.00, up to 4 hours £6.00, all day £9.00
- Alice Holt Forest membership: £77 for free parking
The car park can fill between 11:00 and 15:00 on busy days, so arrive before 10:30 or after 14:30 if you can. There is also an overflow car park.
Prices are correct as of October 2026 but subject to change, so check current rates on the venue's website before you visit.
Facilities
- Cafe, run by Life Cafes, serving breakfast, lunch, coffee and homemade cakes (dogs welcome)
- Visitor centre, shop, toilets, baby changing and a Changing Places toilet
- Play areas, picnic areas, the Gruffalo sculpture trail and a Go Ape ropes course
- Bike parking and a dog wash
Getting Here
Alice Holt Forest is at Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, GU10 4LS, on the A325 about 5 miles from Farnham. Use the main car park by the visitor centre, or the overflow car park nearer the A325.
- By bike: National Cycle Network Route 22 runs through the forest from Farnham, Bordon and Petersfield.
- By train: Farnham station (then a bus) or Bentley station, then a walk through the forest.
- By bus: the number 18 (Aldershot to Haslemere) stops at Bucks Horn Oak, the stop after the petrol station.
Nearby Riding
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- Photo: Sandy B, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph