Hicks Lodge (The National Forest Cycle Centre)

Situated in the National Forest, (on the border of Leicestershire and Derbyshire) just off the A42 near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Hick’s Lodge (The National Forest Cycle Centre) is a great place to go cycling with the kids.

It’s a trail centre, managed by the Forestry Commission, with a number of well maintained trails, a children’s play area, bike hire facilities and nice little cafe.

There are four trails, which all start from the cafe/visitor centre.

The Hicks Lodge Trail, a flat and wide 2km path around the lake, is great for walkers, cyclists and even horses.

The Family Forest Trail (2km short loop and 4.5km long loop) takes you on an exploration across the whole site, there are some hilly bits but it’s still suitable for bikes, trikes, tagalongs, wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The Wood Farm Trail (2.5km) introduces cyclists to easy singletrack.

Shell Brook Trail (7km) brings on more technical features on a moderate graded singletrack which is suitable only for mountain bikes.

Click Here for a PDF of the Trail Map of Hicks Lodge

We’ve been going to Hicks Lodge for over a year now and we fell in love with the place after the first visit. Char went along on her little Cnoc and I fitted the trail-gator onto my bike to pull her up any of the hills.
We planned on doing the Family Forest Trail, but quickly ducked off this and onto the Shell Brook Trail (the more technical of the trails).
Char loved the ride and managed everything, with the exception of some of the ups (where my legs and the trail-gator took over).

After going a few times Char became more accustomed to the ups and on the fourth visit she did it all with her own leg power, even adding a loop of the lake (The Hicks Lodge Trail) onto the end of the ride for good measure.

If your kids are reasonably comfortable on a bike go straight for the Shell Brook Trail, they’ll love it.

The Shell Brook Trail starts with a climb on fireroad then you duck off onto twisty singletrack, which weaves in and out of various wooded areas (with the occasional forest track thrown in). There are lovely berms and little jumps (whoopy bits as Char calls them) which can easily be ridden. The surface is hardpacked and well maintained by the Forestry Commission. It’s an all weather surface that is rideable even after the heaviest downpours.

It’s one of those places that’s just fun to ride, for both adults and kids.

Here’s a little video of Char going through one of her favourite sections.

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Here’s a video of the same section from Char’s handlebar mounted VTech Action Cam (a Char’s Eye View). I think it gives a good idea of how these trails must feel for our kids.
(Warning, watching this video could make you feel sick!)

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The cafe is great, offering a wide range of snacks and drinks.

The bike hire offers a selection of Dawes bikes for kids and adults, as well as a range of bike spares for sale.

The play area has a big wooden climbing frame, a basket swing, a slide and some big sewage pipes (tunnels) buried under a big mound of earth. When it rains there’s also a little stream that runs through the middle of the play area. After her bike ride, Char will usually play here for ages.

Parking is £3 for the day (and they have little signs around explaining why there is a charge for parking).

If you do visit, I’d seriously recommend staying in the National Forest Youth Hostel which is two miles away in Moira. It’s a great relaxing place and I’ve done a little review on it in the link below.

YHA National Forest – Click Here for More Information

Don’t be put off by the location, there’s lots to do in the area so it’s even worth considering spending a few days there.

If you’re tempted into giving Hicks Lodge a go, do it (you won’t regret it).