active outdoors
The Sculpture Trail
A fantastic 4 mile walk, with various woodland sculptures reflecting the life and work of the Forest of Dean – starting at Beechenhurst Lodge.
Established in 1986, this four mile long Sculpture Trail was one of the first to open in the UK. The Trail features sculptures created by artists to interpret the Forest environment and the history of this very unusual landscape. It provides a unique opportunity to walk through the woodlands and discover art along the way. Perfect for all ages and abilities, you don’t need to know about art to enjoy what you see.
The sculptures are installed within the woodland to encourage you to seek them out – the posts with blue rings will direct you – but if you want to make life easier for yourself, pick up a map at Connections at Beechenhurst.
Capability Brown would probably describe the artworks as ‘punctuation marks in the landscape’. Pause for thought and consider – what inspired the artists and what story does the sculpture tell? If you want to know more, visit www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk, where you will find information about all of the artists and the artworks.
The sculptures are commissioned by The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust, a charitable organisation, working closely with the Forestry Commission. The Trust relies entirely on fundraising in order to commission the sculptures for the Trail. If you would like to contribute to future works, or towards maintenance of one of your favourite sculptures, please visit the website.
We hope you enjoy your visit to the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail and will come again to see new works and events at Beechenhurst Lodge. Hill33 by David Cotterrell was added in October 2010, following Echo by Annie Cattrell, which arrived in 2008.
Kingfisher Boat Trips
Symonds Yat is world famous for its natural river scenery. The river winds its way through Symonds Yat gorge and village, dividing it into east and west. The Kingfisher cruise trips, which last around 35 minutes, start at 11am and go on until sunset. A full commentary is provided, telling of the natural beauty and history of the area. Evening trips with bar and buffet can be made for larger parties by prior arrangement.
Symonds Yat Canoe Hire Ltd, Symonds Yat West.
Tel : 01600 890883 / 01600 891069 / 0976 549699
2-3 & 4 seat Canadian canoes, kayaks. Hourly, half day, full day hire. Transport. BCU qualified instructors
Pedalabikeaway Cycle Centre
Cannop Valley (B4324), Tel: 01594 860065
Biking for Everyone : Traffic free waymarked trail – hourly rated. Comprehensive range of bikes for all ages. Special needs bikes and equipment. Open April to October (Nov. to March weekends) : Group hire, Guided Rides, Information/maps, Refreshments, Toilets
Pedalbikeaway has bikes for hire and is situated in the main car park. They also serve tea and snacks, sell spares and have toilets.
The FODCA trail is in the Forest of Dean, 3 miles East of Coleford, 18 miles West of Gloucester
Lydney Park Gardens
The gardens are situated on the A48 Gloucester-Chepstow road between Lydney and Aylburton. (20 miles from Gloucester, 8 miles from Chepstow, 12 miles from the Severn Bridge.
The gardens, Roman Camp and Roman Museum are open on certain open days between April and June. Dates and times of opening vary each year, and can be found by enquiry to the Estate Office, tel. 01594-842844.
The main display is in a sheltered wooded valley with excellent landscaping, pools and dream-like pathways. Teas are available in the house on open days, and there is ample space for picnics in the Deer Park. The Roman Camp and Temple is close to the house, and well worth a visit. This is one of the most important Roman archaeological sites in Britain.
The buildings visible on site date from the final phase of Roman occupation, when a wealthy religious complex was built late in the 4th century. Few Roman temples have survived as well as this example.
The Victorian house lies in a seventeenth century park, with a twentieth century garden. The terrace was paved in 1950 and the woods were made into a woodland garden in the valley, with plantings of rhododendrons and azaleas.
The Arts and Crafts Movement celebration of the purity of craftsmanship and honesty of manual toil led to a progressive involvement of owners in garden work – shown here in Lydney Park Gardens.
Go-Ape
It’s not in the dictionary, but if it was, Go Ape would be described as a ‘tree-top adventure’.
We take one lush, green forest and a healthy dollop of breathtaking scenery; blend with a smattering of tree-top high wires, tricky crossings (using ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels made of wood, rope and super-strong wire) and wind-in-your-face zip wires; finished off with a liberal dose of people in search of their inner Tarzan.
We kit people out with harnesses, pulleys and karabiners, give them a 30 minute safety briefing and training and let them loose into the forest canopy, free to swing through the trees. Of course, instructors are always on hand, regularly patrolling the forests (not in monkey suits unfortunately!)
The result is spectacular. The Go Ape experience gets you outdoors in the fresh air and above all (no pun intended), it’s just great fun.
We have 27 courses all over the country for you to enjoy.
Wenchford
A 3.7 mile walk which is steep in parts but provides good views of the surrounding countryside. Or spend a lazy summer’s day here beside the stream. The picnic site is situated in very picturesque surroundings. Great for the children. Ample car parking.
The Blackpool Brook trickles through this picnic site which is very popular in the summer months when the large oak trees provide dappled shade. Woodland walks, picnic & permanent BBQ facilities – no disposable BBQs or fires allowed.
Situated along the valley from Blakeney towards Parkend on the B4431 is yet more evidence of Dean’s industrial past, notably at the Forestry Commission picnic site at Wench Ford, where Blackpool Brook runs through a series of man-made pools and channels which helped control water flow to an iron furnace and forge at Blakeney.
Apart from being a popular picnic site (mainly because it is one of the places with in the Forest where barbecues are allowed), Wench Ford lies close to the Forest’s best known archaeological monument, the famous ‘Dean Road’, which is situated at the north end of the picnic site just through Blackpool Bridge which carried the old Central Railway.
Cannop Valley
Three walks which collectively make up a longer route of 10 miles. The area is full of interest reflecting the varied history of the Forest of Dean. Many different species of wildlife live within the Cannop Valley oaks. A waymarked circular route mainly on former railway lines with connecting routes to villages and picnic sites. This route has been especially surfaced and is suitable for all ages and abilities. The trail starts at the Cycle Centre in the Cannop Valley. It takes you along the old Severn and Wye railway line passing former stations at Drybrook Road, Cannop Wharf and Speech House. Remnants of former coal mines can be seen at Foxes Bridge, Lightmoor and New fancy. A route card is available from Pedalabikeaway, Beechenhurst Lodge or the Forest of Dean’s Coleford office for 60p.
1: CANNOP VALLEY NATURE RESERVE
This is one of the Forest Nature Reserves declared by the Forestry Commission in 1989 which covers more than 700 hectares of the Forest of Dean. Approximately 500 hectares consists of broadleaf woodlands and the remainder is much younger conifer plantations. This is the result of Lord Nelson ordering a great replanting of oak trees during the Napoleonic wars as stocks of standing timber were virtually non-existent. These are referred to as ‘Napoleonic oaks’.
Alder occurs along the important wetland margins of the Cannop Brook, within semi-natural woodland that has many fallen trees. This in turn provides a rich habitat for insects and fungi. The Forest Nature Reserve has a particularly rich epiphytic flora where one plant grows on another and the old oak here supports some rare examples.
There are also many types of interesting wild flowers here, including wood sorrel, bluebells, heath spotted orchid and broadleaved helleborine. Foxgloves germinate after a clearfell, but as the trees close their canopy they gradually disappear.
2: CANNOP PONDS
Two man-made ponds were formed in the early 19th century by damming the Cannop Brook to provide water power for the iron works at Parkend. The iron works were closed in 1908 but the ponds remain as an attractive habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. The ponds provide wetland habitats for wildlife, including many species of dragonfly for which the Forest is renowned. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has a wetland reserve at the northern end of the Cannop Ponds, which includes alder carr, old oaks, and some industrial remains.
3: RUSSELL’S INCLOSURE
Russell’s Inclosure has a rich history, with a mixture of trees and various wildlife habitats. You may catch a glimpse of all three native woodpeckers – greater spotted, lesser spotted and green. The stoat and the wood mouse also have a home in the inclosure.
4: NAGSHEAD NATURE RESERVE
The Nagshead Nature Reserve is jointly managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Forest Enterprise. Nature reserves are intended to protect particularly sensitive, important or threatened flora and fauna. Within this reserve, there are fine specimens of broadleaved trees. The site which is freely open to all who wish to visit, is excellent for birds as well as a wide variety of insects and bats in a 750 acre reserve.
In 1942, a pilot scheme was started which has lead to over 400 nestboxes on the reserve today. There are also spectacular bluebells in May.
5: MALLARDS PIKE
Mallards Pike consists of two lakes which were constructed by the Forestry Commission and are now a popular picnic site. There is plenty of wildlife to watch to here. It is also the site for the Go Ape! High Wire Adventure Course.
6: WENCHFORD
The overgrown stream and marshy area here is typical of many such sites within the Forest of Dean which have been left to nature. Sallow and alder dominate the scene and beneath their tangled branches flourish various moisture loving plants. There are mature oaks here which are approximately 200 years old and have been left standing among the younger trees to provide a landscape feature visible from several parts of the forest. The oak provides the food and shelter for many insects, fungi, mosses and lichen as well as birds and mammals. Blackpool Brook also offers good conditions for many species of wildlife.
7: SOUDLEY PONDS
Soudley Ponds is a series of five ponds which were constructed in the 1890′s for fishing purposes. The ponds at Soudley have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by English Nature because of the dragonflies and beetles that breed there. Dabchicks, moorhens, coots, mandarins and tufted duck all frequent the ponds. The floor of the surrounding woodlands displays a carpet of bluebells in spring and fox gloves in early summer. The walk around the ponds is suitable for the less able person. In the summer time, the yellow Iris, which is common in this area adds a splash of colour. You can also see the flower at the Dean Heritage Centre Pond, which is located at Soudley where you will also find a Nature Cabin, home to ants and bees!
8: LINEAR PARK, CINDERFORD
Linear Park was created in 1994 and consists of a two-mile stretch of former wasteland. A chain of ponds of various shapes and sizes has been developed which has attracted dragonflies to an area already inhabited by birds, butterflies and reptiles.
9: SPEECH HOUSE AND ARBORETUM
The Speech House is located in the centre of The Forest of Dean, and today it is a hotel. It is the most famous building within the Forest of Dean and was built by Charles II in 1676, for use as a ‘Verderers Court’. The court still operates today and is one of the oldest courts in Europe. Nearby is the arboretum, a collection of rare specimen trees. It was started by the famous plant collector, E H Wilson in 1910 with seeds brought back from China. Today there are over 200 specimens of trees and shrubs.
10: NEW FANCY
New Fancy was once the site of the New Fancy Coal Mine, which commands wide views over the Forest. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of raptors flying above the woodlands. This site has picnic benches and it is a perfect spot to relax, whatever the season.
Mallards Pike
These lakes were constructed by the Forestry Commission and are a popular attraction for walking, cycling and other adventure activities.
Voted the best place to picnic in the South West in the Warburton’s Picnic Awards 2010.
The lower lake can be booked for boating activities – groups only. The lakeside path is easy access and has benches dotted alongside it – good vantage points for watching mandarins and other ducks.
The family cycle trail passes close by and Go Ape is located a short walk from the car park.
There are also three walking trails, a running trail and ramblers routes:
Adidas Running Trail
Mallards Pike Path
Mallards Pike to Wenchford Link Path
Pluckpenny Trail
Hot and cold refreshments available from a mobile cabin every day in the summer, also most weekends in the winter, weather permitting.
The lake can be pre-booked Monday to Saturday by tutor-led groups. Tel 01594 833057.
Two permanent BBQ stands are free to use, but please do not place disposable BBQs on the picnic tables. Several picnic tables are sited with views over the lake. Spend a day here and take a very gentle short walk around the small lake at Mallard’s Pike. There are barbeque hearths and picnic area. Ample car parking.
Inspire2Adventure
Challenge and treat family, friends, or your team to a thrilling and exciting day out away from the daily routine. For outdoor adventure activity days, gift experience days, stag party weekends, hen party weekends, corporate team building, corporate team challenge events, team away days that are created especially for you by us. Out-door activities can be organised and led by Inspire2Adventure, whether you are a family, a hen or stag group or a corporate group looking for a team building activity.
Inspire is an outdoor adventure activity provider based near Monmouth, The Forest of Dean and The Wye Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Located on the border of South East Wales, The Wye Valley has some of the most stunning scenery with plenty of opportunities to try a variety of exciting outdoor adventure activities in this beautiful natural environment.
We offer a tailormade approach where your adventure is personalised to your groups requirements. You will have the flexibility to choose activities that fit your level of knowledge; whether a beginner or experienced; and timetable. Our strength is in providing events that are of a high quality experience creating an atmosphere that is fun, challenging and that promotes participation by all. We cater for all ages and experience and our instructors have the ability and professional experience to adjust activity days accordingly. With good transport links, great accommodation, excellent pubs and restaurants, it could not be easier to bring your family and friends to experience a true outdoor adventure.
for a more comprehensive list of out door activities, visit The Speech House Web-site
The Speech House Hotel, is a former 17th century hunting lodge set in the heart of the idillic Royal Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
Overlooking the romantic wilderness of the surrounding Forest of Dean, The Speech House Hotel offers comfortably appointed bedrooms, several with four-poster beds have been tastefully refurbished and offer modern facilities while retaining their original charm.
The beamed Verderer’s Court restaurant reflects the room’s continuing use as a courthouse for the Foresters of Dean, while the more intimate Freeminers Restaurant maintains links with a unique Forest of Dean tradition.
This Cotswolds hotel in Gloucestershire is in a prime location for you to visit the surrounding area. With Wales, Gloucester and Bristol having easy access from the Speech House Hotel by joining the motorway, this location is perfect for a long weekend break or family holiday.
Steeped in history, The Speech House Hotel has accommodated the Verderers Court for hundreds of years and has accommodated royalty such as Charles II.
And if you are looking for hotel accommodation in the Forest of Dean to stay and enjoy the surrounding walking, cycling and local activities, then look no further.
Click here for more tourist information.
Walkers and Cyclists Welcome :
There are plenty of hooks in both the internal and external porches for coats and jackets, and three racks of boot pegs. There is also a boot scraper and an outdoor hosepipe for cleaning off excessively muddy walking boots. Cycles can be stored in the garden side of the second set of gates, which have a sliding bolt on the inside for overnight security.
Maps:
There are plenty of local maps & guide books in the hall drawers and tourist information display. The village library on the High St, carries a lot of local tourist information.