Conkers discovery centre moira kelly biography

To accommodate growing demand, plans are in place to extend car parking facilities and improve connections from Hicks Lodge to nearby areas, particularly Ashby. The Centre will continue to be a key location for outdoor activities and sustainable travel within the Heart of the National Forest. As one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region with more than , visitors each year, Conkers Discovery Centre will undergo significant investment to transform it into Britain's most inspirational natural adventure.

The site will offer an immersive, hands-on, adventure-driven experience in a woodland setting that will be fun, inclusive, and accessible, where experiential learning will inspire visitors to become more connected to nature. Conkers will act as a central hub, telling the story of the National Forest, and serving as the gateway to the Heart of the National Forest, providing orientation, access to forest experiences, and showcasing local businesses and produce.

Conkers in Moira. Photo: Instantstreetview. Building on the successful educational programmes delivered at Conkers to 30, school children each year, Waterside will become a centre of excellence for forest outdoor learning from early years through to higher levels and beyond. Educators will be able to visit to learn and share best practice, and future generations will be inspired to take action for a positive future.

The Forest Hub, an expansive site with open glades and mature woodland, will become a focal point for forest-inspired events and festivals. The southern area of the Forest Hub presents an opportunity to host a National Forest research, training, and demonstration centre, supporting the growth of forest-based industries and enterprises. This site will consist of three interconnected lakes set within young woodlands, offering diverse experiences for both the local community and visitors.

The central Albert Village Lake will be enhanced to ensure accessibility and continued use for walking and nature watching. To the east, a quieter area will be developed to allow wildlife to thrive, while the west will see the creation of a new lake at the Clay Stocking Yard. This new body of water will support waterside leisure activities, further diversifying the visitor offer.

The Moira Furnace site, an historic 19th-century iron-making blast furnace now serving as a museum, will see enhanced development with a focus on heritage and culture. The site's canal-side location offers potential for improved access and interpretation and expanded retail and hospitality offerings, including local produce and crafts. These enhancements aim to boost the site's appeal as a key cultural destination within the Heart of the National Forest.

This vision will span 10 to 20 years, with phased projects set to deliver immediate and long-term benefits. Funding and investment from both the public and private sectors will be critical to achieving the ambitious goals set out in the vision. Moira Furnace is also included in the National Forest Vision. Photo: Moira Furnace and Country Park.

John Everitt OBE, chief executive of the National Forest Company said: "Trees are truly transformational, and the Heart of the National Forest stands as a powerful testament to that fact, having seen such rapid change. The next stage of development in the Heart of the Forest will create a truly sustainable destination; a place where habitats are reconnected, where people will come to be inspired, and where new green businesses can thrive.

The National Forest also aims to be a place where nature thrives, businesses innovate, and communities are deeply connected to the forest landscape. The idea is that visitors will come to learn, explore, and unwind, leaving inspired by the unique experiences the area offers. Find more attractions. There are many places in the Heart of the Forest to connect with history and immerse yourself in the industrial and social heritage.

Find out more. Added to basket Go to basket Continue shopping.

Conkers discovery centre moira kelly biography

National Forest Real Ale Selection. Conkers Discovery Centre. Phone Accessibility Accessible access. Designated parking. Hemlock stone is a mythical site located in Bramcote Hills Park, surrounded in legend and…. The Beeston Marina provides all the services and facilities you would expect from a long…. A unique collection of restored cottages and workshops arranged around a garden courtyard….

Discover the people, companies and industries that made Nottingham famous around the…. Nottingham Tennis Centre is one of the largest in Europe and is home to the prestigious…. The astonishing Iron Giant of the Erewash Valley. Bennerley Viaduct is a survivor from…. Inspire is an innovative new cultural organisation delivering services on behalf of….

Eurydice Prevails, at Nottingham Lakeside Arts is one of a series of inverted tree works…. Lawrence was born here, at 8a Victoria Street in , the first of the Lawrence…. Back to Top. Email Page Print Page.