Walesby Forest

View prices & book 8.4 335 reviews
Kayak at the site
Swimming pool
The lake
Exterior of kemp lodge

  • Adventurous site set in 250 acres of woodland and other rural scenery
  • A mile from Walesby village and 35 minutes' drive from Lincoln
  • On-site bar and shop; over 40 leisure activities on land and water
If you're looking to alternate between relaxing in 250 acres of Robin Hood country and a whole host of adventurous activities for guests over the age of four, seek out a spot at Walesby Forest in leafy Nottinghamshire. The vast range of leisure activities here should help even those averse to alfresco exercise get moving, with popular options including watersports, climbing, archery and rifle shooting. A friendly team of dedicated instructors is on hand to make sure all that outdoor action takes place in a safe, low-pressure environment. The programme is updated daily, with a flexible play and pay policy to keep it all affordable. Time to swap sporty sessions for a bit of downtime? Take your pick from drinks or snacks at the bar, a poolside snooze or rambles through the site's wild woodland areas, where all sorts of animals can be spotted. Angling fans may find it similarly peaceful to take advantage of the free river Maun fishing opportunities available on site. When it comes to food, there's a handy catering barn (which, with advance notice, can sort meals for guests with special dietary requirements), plus a small shop that stocks plenty of sweet treats and souvenirs. If you'd rather step out for dinner, make your way into Walesby (a mile away), where two popular establishments are all set to serve up pub-cooked food. While there may not be a playground on site, there are 250 acres of space for ball games and adventures.

Campground type

Tent sites 218
Camper sites 64
RV sites 4
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 4
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Your dog must be tattooed or microchipped.
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Facilities/activities including adventure activities are subject to extra charges payable on arrival.
  • The outdoor swimming pool is open between 05/02 and 08/31 (subject to weather conditions).
  • The restaurant is open between 03/29 and 10/31.
  • Entertainment and activities are available between 03/29 and 10/31.
  • The park caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.
  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
  • Reception is unmanned after 5:30 p.m.. Please inform the park while on your way there should you expect to arrive after this time so that the team can provide information about your unit/site.
  • A cable measuring at least 20 metres is needed for the electric hook-ups.
  • The bar is open between 03/29 and 10/31.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality flashlight with them as parts of the park are unlit.
  • No naked flames are allowed inside the hired accommodation units.
  • Swimming in the lake is not allowed.
  • If reception is closed on arrival: please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.
  • Fires, barbecues and/or firepits will not be permitted in dry, windy and/or hot weather conditions.
  • The charging of electric vehicles is not permitted on site.

Languages spoken

English

Campsite types & availability

Other options

Reviews

  • 45%
    10
  • 2%
    9
  • 31%
    8
  • 2%
    7
  • 11%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 3%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 1%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
9
Value for money
8
Accommodation
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
6

87% would recommend this campground to a friend

83% would stay here again

What customers say

This huge site excels at activities for kids, with spacious spots & friendly staff. However, multiple guests mention the toilet/shower facilities need updating, with cleanliness issues. Some report power supply problems on electric pitches & high amenity costs.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 34
Arrival date (latest first)

Great site, would not stay for more than 1 or 2 nights

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
5
Wifi
1
Anonymous

Power optional grass campsite (no pets)

Liked Pitch sizes
Activities on offer
Bar and shop on site

Disliked Toilets and showers not clean
Toilets too far away from “E” which meant everyone was wild wee’ing in the bushes

Recommend to friends Visit again

Good actives…

Overall

2 out of 10
Location
2
Value for money
2
Accommodation
1
Facilities / Activities
1
Customer service
7
Child friendliness
5
Cleanliness
1
Wifi
1
Isabel H.

Power optional grass campsite (large, no pets)

Liked Good actives

Disliked Filthy facilties

Recommend to friends Visit again

Ok site but poor facilities, in need of a good clean and upgrade

Overall

5 out of 10
Location
7
Value for money
7
Accommodation
7
Facilities / Activities
1
Customer service
7
Child friendliness
7
Cleanliness
1
Wifi
7
Anonymous

Power optional grass campsite (large, no pets)

Liked Good size pitches with plenty of open space and the children liked the activities.

Disliked There are not enough toilet and shower blocks. We had a fair walk to get to our nearest one and once there, wish I hadn’t bothered. The blocks were so filthy and not fit for purpose for campers, there was no where to put was bags, etc and no stuff to clean down after yourself either. Really put me off. It

Recommend to friends Visit again

The size and surroundings of the campsite is lovely. The kids loved…

Overall

6 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
8
Accommodation
5
Facilities / Activities
2
Customer service
8
Child friendliness
8
Cleanliness
1
Wifi
1
sarah o.

Power optional grass campsite (large, no pets)

Liked The size and surroundings of the campsite is lovely. The kids loved having the open space to explore and run around.
Didn’t get chance to use the outdoor pool as was only open 1.30-5.30pm and we were out all day which was a shame as the kids wanted to go in it in the morning.

Disliked The toilets and shower facilities were absolutely disgusting - did not see them get cleaned once.
Not enough toilets/showers for the amount of people staying there.
I was only there two nights but chose not to shower as they were that dirty!!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great campsite

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
9
Accommodation
8
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
7
Wifi
No rating
Richard B.

Power optional grass campsite (large, no pets)

Liked The pitch, great spot, ample space, well drained ground with multiple water points and toilet facilities.

On site shop and bar were also reasonably priced and stocked.

Disliked The events were a little lacklustre.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Activities for the children, pitch sizes were great. Staff were really friendly…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
8
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
6
Wifi
No rating
michelle b.

Power optional grass campsite

Liked Activities for the children, pitch sizes were great. Staff were really friendly and welcoming.

The staff went above and beyond to help with an issues with my gas cooker, different options were tried and thankfully a lovely lady in the shop offered me hers. All are a credit to Walesby Forest.

Disliked More showers and toilet blocks needed.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Staff are fantastic and excellent site can’t wait to go back

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Alan B.

Primitive grass campsite (no pets, wild)

Liked Site is lovely and big. We stayed in the wild camping area. It was really quiet and pitches are huge.

Kids loved the onsite activities and had a blast getting back to basics.

Little or no phone signal allowed everyone to unwind and relax.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A very windy and enjoyable break.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
7
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
6
Wifi
8
Gareth P.

Power optional grass campsite (large, no pets)

Liked A great pitch with electric. The activity were great for my daughter and being fairly quiet managed to use several times.

Disliked The toilet block at H was dirty and smelled. The block on A was excellent, although a bit of a walk in the middle of the night.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Good site very peaceful and spacious. Very helpful staff

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
7
Accommodation
7
Facilities / Activities
5
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
5
Amanda L.

Primitive grass campsite (no pets)

Liked The size of the pitches. Lovely natural environment. The children loved gathering wood for the firepit

Disliked No hairdryer in the shower block. Activities only available at certain times

Recommend to friends Visit again

A good holiday for the grandchildren.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
10
Accommodation
6
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
7
Wifi
6
Joy F.

Power optional grass campsite (large, no pets)

Liked Spacious pitches, forest walks, food available

Disliked Lack of toilet blocks, long way from some pitches. Good choice of activities for children.

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Covered terrace area Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Baby-changing facilities Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Scouts welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent sites

Themes

Forest Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Spectacular scenery Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market

Type

Very large (over 200 sites)

Accessibility

Accessible parking at site Bathrooms: Large spacious shower Bathrooms: Large spacious toilet Bathrooms: Step-free access Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible shower Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible toilet Bathrooms: Wide doorways (over 32 inches) Level campground, no steep slopes Smooth, hard roads e.g. tarmac Step-free or level access

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Walesby Forest

Brake Road

Newark

Nottinghamshire

England

NG22 9NG

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

53.22455°N
0.99979°W

Nearest transport

Bus
6.4 mi Hetts Lane
6.5 mi Bingo Hall
7.1 mi Bus Station
Rail
6.6 mi Retford Low Level Rail Station
6.6 mi Retford Rail Station
7.9 mi Worksop Rail Station
Airport
17.7 mi Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport
18.1 mi Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport
19.8 mi Sheffield City Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

With its tales of Robin Hood, ancient oaks, country houses and lush leafy landscape, Sherwood Forest has something to keep most sorts content. Clumber Park (15 minutes' drive) has long avenues of limes and open heath to stroll through, while over by the Major Oak (10 minutes) you can get acquainted with one of the area's stand-out trees before setting out on several waymarked hiking routes (maps available at the visitor centre next door). Similarly close to base is Go Ape Sherwood (10 minutes), where a medley of segways and zipwires nicely complement any on-site activities you've got up to during your stay. Kids not quite old enough for that kind of activity? Fear not, as families with younger members will find plenty of age-appropriate entertainment at Wheelgate Waterpark (15 minutes) or Sundown Adventureland (20 minutes). Spending time in town is also doable here, as Walesby Forest is just over half an hour from Lincoln's castle, cathedral and urban arboretum. Meanwhile, over in Newark (30 minutes), there's Civil War heritage, antiques shops and weekly markets in a handsome Georgian square, plus hovercraft tours if you fancy something a little different.

Must see

Sherwood Forest Country Park 3 mi

Mansfield Museum 10 mi

Bolsover Castle 12.2 mi

Hardwick Hall 12.9 mi

Hardwick Old Hall 13.4 mi

National Trust

Clumber Park 4 mi

Mr Straw's House 7.8 mi

The Workhouse, Southwell 10.2 mi

Hardwick Hall 13.4 mi

Hardwick Estate: Stainsby Mill 13.4 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Bothamsall - Robin Hood's Cave - Walesby - Bothamsall 1.9 mi

THORESBY PARK 1.9 mi

The Major Oak and Sherwood Forest 3.1 mi

The Major Oak - Sherwood Forest - Edwinstowe 3.1 mi

Clumber and Surrounding Forests - Robin Hood Way 3.9 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in Nottinghamshire?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Walesby Forest have a swimming pool? Yes View all features
  • Is Walesby Forest dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Walesby Forest? With its tales of Robin Hood, ancient oaks, country houses and lush leafy landscape, Sherwood Forest has something to keep most sorts content. Clumber Park (15 minutes' drive) has long avenues of … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Walesby Forest?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  10 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  10 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.

    Please call the duty manager on the number provided if you are running late.

    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Walesby Forest? From $24.24 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.