Hi Andy. Yep there's some good forestry and wooded areas all around, and right on my doorstep an ancient wooded area with the foundation of an 11th century manor and stables and moat once also apparently the place passed by romans at some point earlier, probably en-route to lanchester and beyond. I don't really go out around here much as I used to, but tried setting up a bushcraft group here several years ago and no one seemed interested. There's a range of tree types from silver birch, chestnut, willow, oak and in the main forest mostly conifer and I'm not sure if its Scots Pine. The areas tend to be very muddy and have seen damage on the tracks running through, from the odd quad/trail biker though not regularly used as far as i know. There are a few almost hidden gem areas mind you and maybe good for a few small gatherings away from the areas that teenagers drop their cans!!
The forestry is under national trust woodlands management i believe, someone like that can't exactly remember name as been sometime since was out walking and biking around. But anyone intersted in having a look out for a recce give me a shout and I'll pm my mobile number.
