Drivers discover forest in the making at Leicester service area

Motorists on the M1 can now discover more about The National Forest at Leicester Forest East Service Area. Drivers travelling north from the service area will pass the sign for The National Forest and see fields of young woodland. As the trees grow and mature and new woodland is planted, this view will change.

Leicester Forest East has been made a ‘gateway’ to this Forest in the Making – helping visitors to know more about this ambitious environmental project and learn about the huge array of things to see and do across the Forest.

The Service Area lies just south of The National Forest boundary between junctions 21 and 21a of the M1 motorway in Leicestershire and is a perfect place from which to set off and explore the Forest.

Welcome Break and the National Forest Company have worked together to add a range of information facilities across the rest stop. These include a picnic area, lovely new tables in the restaurant, a leaflet display unit and signage.

Dave Goring, Site Director at Leicester Forest East, said: “Leicester Forest East Services acts as a “gateway” for millions of visitors to the region every year and we are delighted to support the National Forest Company by helping to create awareness of the area.”

Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, said: “The enthusiasm from Welcome Break has been fantastic. We are working closely in partnership with them at Leicester Forest East to highlight the growing National Forest and the exciting range of things to see and do across the 200 square miles.

“I hope that people passing through the service station will return and discover the easy-to-reach hidden gems right here in the centre of England. It surprises all our visitors what tranquillity and interest you can enjoy so near the motorway.”

This project is part of the East Midlands Tourism funded Visitor Infrastructure Project, designed to promote the wealth of things to see and do across the 200 square mile Forest, and make the connections between one part of the Forest and another.

Other sites that feature new facilities as part of the project include Conkers, Twycross Zoo, Ashby Tourist Information Centre, Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts, Snibston, Sence Valley Forest Park, the new YHA National Forest and Rosliston Forestry Centre.

Each site now has a variety of information points, ranging from shelters, panels and benches, to listening posts and touchscreen kiosks. Additional sites still to be installed include Beacon Hill Country Park and Foremark, Staunton Harold and Thornton Reservoirs.

The work across all locations is due to be completed by March 2008. As well as these innovative information points, visitors can also find more information on the huge choice of things to do and see in the Forest or places to stay for a brilliant weekend break by logging onto the website - Nationalforest.org.