Swinley Woods
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Swinley Woods (or Swinley Forest) is a large expanse of Crown Estate woodland mainly in the Borough of Bracknell Forest in the English county of Berkshire.
Situated to the south of Windsor Great Park, the woods stretch from Bracknell, in the north, to Bagshot, in the south. They are owned and managed by the Crown Estate and comprise over 2600 acres of woodland (mainly Scots Pine) across gently undulating hills.
The woods provide some of the best mountain biking in South-East England, with many off-road 'single-track' trails available as well as plenty of fire roads. Mountain biking is permitted with a permit, but walking is free.
The area specifically known as Swinley Park and Brick Pits is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and has protected areas for the birds that live there. Swinley Park once surrounded Swinley Lodge where the King kept the Royal Staghounds in Georgian times. It was at the centre of Swinley Walke, one of the sub-divisions of Windsor Forest.
[edit] Visitor Centre
On the northern edge of the forest is The Look Out Discovery Centre, operated by Bracknell Forest Borough Council. This is a hands-on science exhibition and nature discovery centre, which also acts as a visitor centre for the forest, providing maps, car parking and bike hire. Most of the self-guided walks and bike trails start and end at the centre.
