Accessibility Statement

North West Leicestershire District Council is committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

This accessibility statement applies to content published on the www.visitnationalforest.com domain.

Using the site

This website is designed to be used by as many people as possible. You should be able to:

  • Zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • Navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • Listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

We’ve also made the website text clear and as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Compliance status

We aim to ensure that our Visit National Forest website conforms with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standards.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to exemptions listed below, and with non-compliant elements that have been identified subject to continuing development work.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

  1. Partial Compliance Statement

We are committed to making this website as accessible as possible. However, we recognise that some parts of the site do not yet fully meet the requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

In some cases, this is due to existing design frameworks and visual styling that form part of our established brand identity. We are actively reviewing these areas and will work to improve accessibility while maintaining a clear and consistent user experience.

  1. Text Contrast & Readability

Some text elements on this website may not meet the recommended colour contrast ratios defined by WCAG guidelines. These instances typically arise from established design styles and visual treatments used to maintain consistency and familiarity across the site and other online assets.

We are currently assessing these areas and will continue to make improvements where possible without compromising usability.

  1. Buttons, Links & Interactive Elements

Certain buttons and links may not fully meet accessibility criteria, including contrast levels or focus visibility. These elements are styled in line with our branding and user interface design system.

We are reviewing these components as part of an ongoing programme to improve accessibility and to ensure that interactive elements are clear and easy to use for all website visitors.

  1. Balanced Design vs Accessibility

We aim to balance accessibility requirements with a consistent and intuitive user experience. Where design choices impact accessibility, we are working to find improved solutions that meet both usability and accessibility standards.

  1. Ongoing Improvement Commitment

Accessibility is an ongoing priority, and we are committed to continual improvement. We regularly review the website and aim to address known issues as part of future updates.

  1. Contact & Alternative Access

If you experience any difficulty accessing content on this website, please contact us. We will do our best to provide the information you need in an accessible format.

Content not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

Adobe Acrobat PDF documents: Not all PDF documents published on this website meet accessibility standards, due in some instances to the nature of the document design based on its original intended purpose, for instance hard-copy printing of Maps and Guides. It has been determined that the provision of variants of these PDF resources as compliant elements would impose a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations.

PDF documents that may not meet accessibility standards when viewed on screen include:

  • Tracks and Trails map (https://exploreforestandbeyond.com/tracks-trails)
  • Explore map (https://exploreforestandbeyond.com/visit)
  • Food and Drink map (https://exploreforestandbeyond.com/food-drink)
  • Coalville Treasure Map Trail (https://exploreforestandbeyond.com/coalville)

All can be downloaded for viewing on an alternative screen or app or web app, or can be printed.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was updated on 17 March 2026. The website was last reviewed for accessibility compliance on 17 March 2026.

Percentage scores for accessibility, compliance to level A WCAG 2.2 checks, level AA WCAG 2.2 checks and level AAA WCAG 2.2 checks will be detailed here when final tests using Silktide are complete.

All pages within the site were tested. You can contact visit@nwleicestershire.gov.uk by email to request a copy of the reports and to ask for further details.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that are not listed on this page, or you think we are not meeting the accessibility requirements adequately, please email visit@nwleicestershire.gov.uk and let us know.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’).

If you are dissatisfied with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Privacy Policy

North West Leicestershire District Council is strongly committed to protecting and respecting the privacy of its customers. This Privacy Policy and Data Protection Statement sets out the basis on which any personal data collected from you, or that you provide, is used by North West Leicestershire District Council. By visiting the Visit National Forest website, you are accepting and consenting to the practices described in this policy. If you visit a website operated by a third party through a hyperlink included in this Site, your information may be used differently by the operator of that linked Website.

What does our Privacy Policy cover?

This Privacy Policy covers all of the Visit National Forest website. Other websites which are linked to the site, and which may be accessed from the Visit National Forest website, are not covered by this Privacy Policy. We are unable to offer any information or reassurance about the level of privacy protection offered from or by those sites which are linked to from the Visit National Forest website, but which are not controlled by us. We would recommend that you look at the privacy statements displayed on any third-party websites that you visit.

What information do we gather?

Currently, the only personal data we receive is that which you volunteer to provide on forms that you submit to us, or in emails you send to us. The personal data we collect is used to provide you with the most relevant service information and to allow us to develop our website in a way that will enhance the online experience of the greatest number of users.

Is it possible to access and browse the website without disclosing personal data?

You can access our website’s home page and browse our site without disclosing personal data.

Do we disclose users’ personal data to third parties?

No, we do not pass your data to third parties.

You can find further information and more about how we process your data in North West Leicestershire Council Corporate Privacy Notices.

Last updated 18 March 2026

Cookies Policy

Our website uses Google Analytics to gather information on how our visitors engage with www.visitnationalforest.com – for example, which pages are most popular, the times of day most people visited the site, what keywords are most popular in searches, heatmaps to show which part of a page visitors are reading.

This information helps us to develop our website to improve our users’ experience.

Google Analytics uses cookies to provide this information. The data is collected anonymously, reporting website trends without identifying individual visitors or collecting any personal data.

By using this site, you agree to data collection by North West Leicestershire District Council.

How we use cookies

We want to make online services easy, useful and reliable. To do this, our website uses a common technology to place small text files on your computer, smartphone, tablet or smart TV when you access a website. These files are known as cookies. They are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently, by allowing the website to recognise your device and store information about past actions and preferences.

There are two kinds of cookies:

  • Session cookies which are short term and auto-delete after a few minutes or when you close your browser; and
  • Persistent cookies set by the website and stored for a longer period of time. These will usually store information such as your name and address and be used on our online forms. They also store information about your browsing habits across multiple sites, usually to allow advertisers and social networks to target advertising at you.

You can find out more information on Google Analytics’ use of cookies on their website. You can stop Google Analytics from placing cookies on your devices by using the Google Analytics Opt-Out add-on.

You can manage cookies yourself: the Help menu on the menu bar of most browsers will tell you how to prevent your browser from accepting new cookies, how to have the browser notify you when a new cookie is received and how to disable cookies altogether.

You can learn more about cookies through the About Cookies website.

Cookies currently being used on www.visitnationalforest.com are used by Google Analytics as part of our statistical information gathering.

Last updated 18 March 2026

Terms of Use & Disclaimer

Terms and Disclaimer

Terms of Use – please read these terms carefully before using this website. Using this website indicates that you accept these terms. If you do not accept these terms, do not use this website.

 

Use of the Site

North West Leicestershire District Council authorises you to view and download the materials at this website, provided that you retain and respect all copyright and other proprietary notices contained in the original materials on any copies of the materials. The materials at this site are copyrighted, and any unauthorised use of any materials from this site may violate copyright, trademark and other laws. If you breach any of these terms, your authorisation to use this site automatically terminates, and you must immediately destroy any downloaded or printed materials.

 

Links to Other Websites

Links to third-party websites on this site are provided solely as a convenience to you. If you use these links, you will leave this site. North West Leicestershire District Council has not reviewed all of these third-party sites and does not control and is not responsible for any of these sites or their content. North West Leicestershire District Council does not endorse or make any representations about them, or any information, software or other products or materials found there, or any results that may be obtained from using them. If you decide to access any of the third-party sites linked to from this website, you do so entirely at your own risk.

 

Applicable Laws

North West Leicestershire District Council makes no representation that materials at this site are appropriate or available for use outside the United Kingdom, and access to them from territories where their contents are considered illegal is prohibited. You may not use or export or re-export the materials at this site or any copy or adaptation in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, including, without limitation, UK export laws and regulations. If you choose to access this site from outside the UK, you do so at your own accord and risk and are responsible for compliance with applicable local laws. These terms will be governed by and construed in accordance with English law, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of laws.

 

General

North West Leicestershire District Council may revise these terms at any time by updating this page. You should visit this page from time to time to review the current terms because they are binding on you. Certain provisions of these terms may be superseded by expressly designated legal notices or terms located on particular pages at this site.

Note: Anyone linking to the Visit National Forest website must comply with the guidelines for linking to the Visit National Forest Website and all applicable laws.

 

Disclaimer

The materials provided at this site are provided ‘as is’ without any warranties of any kind, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property. North West Leicestershire District Council may make changes to the materials on this site, or to the information and prices described in them, at any time without notice.

 

Limitation of liability

In no event will North West Leicestershire District Council, its suppliers, or other third parties mentioned at this site be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, those resulting from lost profits, lost data or business interruption) arising out of the use, inability to use, or the results of use of this site, any websites linked to this site, or the materials or information contained at any or all such sites, whether based on warranty, contract, tort or any other legal theory and whether or not advised of the possibility of such damages. If your use of the materials or information from this site results in the need for servicing, repair or correction of equipment or data, you assume all costs thereof. Applicable law may not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

 

Privacy

You can find further information in our privacy policy and more about how we process your data in our privacy notices.

 

Last updated 18 March 2026