History & Heritage

History & Heritage

The National Forest is steeped in history, with reminders of the area’s once industrial past still present today. From remnants of former collieries and quarries to railways and lime kilns, there’s so much to uncover.  

A day of adventure and discovery is in store for all the family at Conkers, the major visitor attraction that sits within a 48-hectare site at the heart of the National Forest.
Calke
AttractionCalke Abbey
Calke Abbey has a unique story to tell and the whole family will enjoy discovering its secrets. With unparalleled parkland and a walled-garden, to the fascinating story of a country house in decline.
Sharpe’s Pottery Museum is a fascinating social history museum in the market town of Swadlincote at the heart of the National Forest.

Historical places

Witness the transformation

In the last 30 years, a quiet revolution has been taking place in these 200 square miles of the Midlands. More than 9.5 million trees have been planted in what was once one of the least wooded parts of the country.