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Explore Forest Of Dean
(Average user rating: 5 unrated 4.5/5)

The Forestry Commission look after the Forest of Dean for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a mountain biker or a lover of nature, a great day out awaits...

This ancient forest has changed many times over the centuries. In medieval times it was a royal hunting forest, before becoming a source of timber for the navy's Tudor warships. By Victorian times it was a major site of industry, with coal mining and tramways punctuating the landscape.

Today the forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and a great place to explore. See if you can find the hidden remains of industry as you enjoy this wild and beautiful forest.

The forest has four main visitor sites, as highlighted below, but many more places to visit.

Symonds Yat Rock

Walk through the Iron Age fort to find stunning views over the River Wye and beyond. Can you spot the birds of prey?

Cannop Cycle Centre

We’ve got trails for everyone, so bring your bike or hire one from the shop. Explore the forest then refuel in the cafe.

Beechenhurst Lodge

The best place to start your forest adventure! Discover the Sculpture Trail, play area, cafe, shop and climbing tower. Come along and try the new Sky Rainforest Rescue trail!

Mallards Pike Lake

Enjoy a walk and a picnic by the lake, or swing onto the Go Ape high-ropes course!

Go Ape. UK’s No.1 Forest Adventure Enjoy two to three hours of adventure high above the forest floor, taking on Zip Wires, Tarzan Swings and a variety of Crossings.
Take a look and book at our Go Ape page.

What do other visitors say?

Can you tell us if it is true that you are going to cull the Wild boar.

Mark, 12/Jun/2013

A cull will start again in September.

Forestry Commission Response

Is there horsebox friendly parking anywhere in TFoD so we can enjoy the forest from horseback ?

Anonymous, 21/Sep/2012
5 Stars 5 Stars

I would love the forestry commission to make a fairy trail through the woods, with little sculptures of fairies, pixie's maybe even a unicorn especially if the path was pushchair friendly. I'm sure it would prove to be a huge hit with families. The scuplture trail is very nice but some of the artworks are a bit weird and unless you have the artists explanation of what it is supposed to represent sometimes they are a bit hard to get. A family friendly spot the fairy trail would be excellent and people would come from miles around if it was well done. Otherwise the forest is still fabulous and recharges the soul but please stop planting dense conifer woods they are not pleasant to walk through. Oak and chestnut and other broad leaved woods are so much more beautiful.

Anonymous, 30/Aug/2012
More user comments

Please tell us about your visit

Please email us at westengland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk if you have an enquiry or would like a reply to your comments.

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Chalara ash dieback

Advice for visitors

What's Here?

  • No swimming
  • Arboreta
    • The Cyril Hart Arboretum can be explored for 200 + varieties of trees
  • Arts
    • The Scultpure Trail can be joined at Beechenhurst Lodge.
  • Barbeque
    • BBQs stands/stones at Beechenhurst and Wenchford. Please do not place disposable BBQs on the picnic tables. No fires allowed.
  • Cafe
    • Cafe facilities at Beechenhurst, Cannop Cycle Centre and Symonds Yat Rock. Refreshments avaiable seasonally at Mallards Pike, Wenchford and Cannop Ponds
  • Camping
    • Camping is on authorised sites only. Camping in the Forest and Forest Holiday cabins are based just outside of Coleford.
  • Cycling
    • Visit Cannop Cycle Centre for a variety of waymarked trails and bike hire.
  • Fishing
    • Day tickets are available at Cannop Ponds
  • Horse riding
    • The stoned road network is suitable for riding. Try starting from Mallards Pike Lake or Symonds Yat Rock
  • Picnic
    • Plenty of picnic sites
  • Play area
    • Large childrens play area at Beechenhurst Lodge
  • Walking
    • Visit Beechenhurst, at the heart of the Forest to start your walk.
  • Viewpoint
    • Symonds Yat Rock is an internationally renowned viewpoint, New Fancy is also worth a look too!
  • Toliets
    • available at all four main visitor sites
  • Wildlife
    • Available at Nagshead Nature reserve
More about what's here

Location

OS Grid ref: SO 624 114

Get directions

Contact

West England District
-
01594 833057
westengland@­forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Useful sites

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification certifiedForest Stewardship Council certified