Moira and Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Hicks Lodge gives beginners and improving mountain bikers two clearly defined off-road choices in the National Forest. Wood Farm is the green starting point; Shell Brook adds a longer blue circuit with rougher ground and trail features. The setting near Moira and Ashby-de-la-Zouch suits a family outing or a deliberate skills session, with a café, bike shop and toilets close to the riding. You do not need a big upland itinerary to make useful progress here.
The site occupies former coal-mining land transformed by woodland planting and recreation. That makes the riding feel different from a mature mountain forest: open stretches, developing woods and the lakeside visitor area are part of the day. Forestry England currently publishes the centre as open every day except Christmas Day. Choose the route for the least confident rider, leave time for breaks and keep walking attractions separate from the mountain-bike trails.
Green · 4.4 km / 2.75 miles
Forestry England’s beginner circuit follows purpose-built winding tracks. Use the green route to establish comfortable braking and cornering before tackling a longer outing. Ride slowly enough to see around bends and give children time to settle into their own rhythm. Its published length makes a useful first target without committing the group to Shell Brook.
Official route information →Blue · 8.9 km / 5.5 miles
The blue route extends around the site through trees and woodland. Its official description includes uneven ground, jumps, bumps and berms, with the start and finish on the Family Forest Trail near the visitor facilities. Build up to it after a comfortable green circuit. A blue grade expects basic off-road skills, so review each unfamiliar feature before carrying speed into it.
Official route information →Use Wood Farm trail, Shell Brook trail as distinct route choices, matching each grade and climbing commitment to the group. Follow current signs and closures, even where an older map shows a continuous connection.
Start at the visitor area and use the trail map to establish where your chosen circuit begins. Before setting off, inspect wheels, tyres, brakes and helmet fit, then agree a simple regrouping plan. For a new group, Wood Farm provides the clearest first objective. Treat the opening part as a warm-up and let the slowest rider decide whether another lap sounds enjoyable.
A successful green ride does not require an immediate move to blue. Repeat corners with smooth braking, practise looking through the exit and stop away from the trail when discussing technique. When everyone has enough energy and control, Shell Brook offers a distinct next step. Its greater distance and features create a different demand; turning it into a race can hide whether the fundamentals are working.
Keep children’s expectations realistic. Bring a snack, spare layer and enough water, and finish while concentration remains good. The play area and lakeside facilities offer a separate activity for companions who are not riding. Riders should not cut across walking routes to manufacture shortcuts between circuits, and any forestry warning or temporary barrier takes priority over the itinerary you brought from home.
The official address is Willesley Woodside, near Moira, LE 65 2 UP. Official directions →
The official address is Willesley Woodside, near Moira, LE 65 2 UP. Forestry England directs drivers from Ashby Road onto Willesley Woodside, with the car park on the right. Its published grid reference is SK 329 155. Use the destination pin and entrance instructions together, allowing time to unload without obstructing other visitors.
Parking uses automatic number-plate recognition and is cashless. The official tariffs on 12 October 2026 are £3.80 up to one hour, £6.50 up to two, £8.50 up to three and £9 beyond three hours. Pay for the intended stay on arrival by card, device or RingGo. Eligible Forestry England members have different parking arrangements. No public transport directly to the site is advertised, so organise the final leg before relying on a railway journey.
Find the planning area on a map →Approximate trail-area pin. Visitor arrival area; follow the Forestry England car-park directions. Official coordinate source
Grounds Café, the bike shop, cycle hire, toilets and accessible toilets make Hicks Lodge a practical place to introduce someone to trail riding. Reserve any hire bike and establish the correct size before travel. Forestry England’s cycling page advertises hire at weekends and bank holidays; its visitor page also mentions Leicestershire school holidays. Hire availability is narrower than the forest’s opening pattern, so confirm the chosen date with the hire operator.
The café gives a useful meeting point for mixed groups, but carry water and basic food on the trail. A shop or workshop listing is no guarantee that your particular tyre, brake pad or spare part will be available immediately. Pack the normal tools and puncture supplies you know how to use. Picnic tables, a bird hide and the play area support a relaxed visit without needing every member of the party to ride.
Grounds Cycle Hire serves the visitor hub. The land manager publishes the current hire periods; arrange the bike size and return time directly before your ride.
The centre opens every day except Christmas Day. Parking is charged and the café and hire service have their own hours; consult the current Forestry England timetable before setting out.
The published visitor timetable currently lists the main car park from 8 am to 8 pm. Café and shop hours differ, and seasonal changes can affect the practical length of a visit. Plan your final lap with daylight and the gate timetable in mind. October’s shorter afternoons make a morning start useful when younger riders need frequent breaks.
Wet leaves, surface water and colder hands can make familiar features less predictable. Reduce speed before bends and stay on the established trail. Do not ride around a closed section through soft woodland, even when the alternative looks short. In winter, a shorter green session can be a better choice than pushing an exhausted group through the full blue circuit.
Moira, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and nearby National Forest accommodation give several ways to turn a short riding session into a weekend. Pick a base around the rest of the group’s plans: a room in Ashby offers a town stay, while accommodation nearer Moira suits a quieter forest visit. Travel times depend on the exact property and road approach, so map the entrance before reserving a room.
Ask the property how bikes will be stored and whether wet equipment may be dried. Do not assume that a hotel describing itself as near the National Forest accepts muddy bikes indoors or provides a secure store. The five-stay shortlist is a starting point for enquiries; compare cancellation terms with the forecast and any hire reservation. A restful overnight stop can leave enough energy for another measured session the following day.
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Displayed distances are straight-line estimates using OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), not road journeys. Ask the property about secure bike storage and wet-kit arrangements before booking.
RIDE PREPARATION
Consider what suits the route, forecast and your own experience.
Yes. Wood Farm is officially green graded and designed as an introduction to off-road cycling. Begin there, ride at a comfortable pace and build skills before choosing Shell Brook.
Forestry England lists Wood Farm at 4.4 km and Shell Brook at 8.9 km. These are separate route choices, so decide how much riding the group wants before setting off.
Yes. The official route page gives it a blue grade and describes uneven ground, jumps, bumps and berms. Riders need basic off-road skills and should inspect unfamiliar features.
Cycle hire is advertised at weekends, bank holidays and certain school-holiday periods. Contact Grounds Cycle Centres about the exact day, bike size and reservation arrangements.
Parking charges apply, with cashless payment and number-plate recognition. Eligible membership arrangements differ. Use the current Forestry England tariff and allow enough paid time for riding and breaks.
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Develop braking, cornering, climbing and technical riding through deliberate practice, with sensible progression for roots, rocks, steeps, wheel lifts and jumps.
Choose and fit mountain-bike helmets, pads and clothing, understand venue rules, inspect equipment and plan layers for changing UK weather.
Plan a UK mountain-bike weekend with confirmed bike storage, a complete budget, secure parking and separate checks for trails, bookings and services.
Trail conditions change — check the official page before you travel.
Open official site →