The Forestry Centre also has a bird hide, which is just a fancy shed with binoculars. Spot kingfishers, herons, and the occasional aggressive duck that looks like it’s been in a bar fight. But the real animal action is at the animal corner. They have goats, Guinea pigs, and a couple of alpacas who stare at you like you owe them money. I befriended a rabbit named Nibbles. He bit my shoelace. It was love.
Forestry Centre, Rosliston - Cowley Timber + Partners
Fun fact: Rosliston’s lake is stocked with carp that weigh up to 30 pounds—that’s the size of a medium dog. Fishermen sit there for hours, staring at the water, probably contemplating the meaning of life. One guy told me he’d been waiting for a bite since breakfast. I hope he catches a sandwich.
Food, Because You Can’t Live on Fresh Air
The Woodlands Café is a godsend. It serves hot food, baked potatoes, and a scone so big it could double as a frisbee. The coffee is decent, but don’t expect a flat white to change your life. What will change your life is the homemade cake. I had a slice of Victoria sponge that was so fluffy, I think it had helium in it. Pro tip: order the carrot cake. It has actual carrots. That’s health, okay?
There’s also a BBQ and picnic area, but fair warning—the local birds have developed a mafia-like intelligence. If you open a bag of crisps, you’ll be surrounded by magpies and pigeons that look like they’re running a protection racket. One stole my sausage roll. I didn’t argue. It had a beak and the high ground.
