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Forest Of Dean


(Average user rating5 unrated 5/5)

About Forest Of Dean

Whilst the Forest today is still a working timber producing forest it also faces many other pressures on it. It is, for instance, one of the oldest community forests in the country with the towns of Coleford, Cinderford and Lydney around the periphery.

The Forest covers 35 square miles. Throughout the Forest you are welcome to explore - to walk the many miles of forest roads and tracks, or cycle the stoned forest roads in the centre of the Forest. You will find a number of waymarked trails for cyclists and walkers across the Forest, ranging in length from a few kilometres to long distance paths. There are plenty of picnic sites, carparks and view points in the area.  Camping is only allowed at authorised campsites in the Forest. 

For centuries the Forest was valued for its resources of iron, coal, stone and timber. Today it is a place of few crowds and much peace, with the largest area of old oak trees in Britain. It came to the Forestry Commission in 1924.

To Dennis Potter, the playwright, who was born and grew up in the Forest, it was more than just a heart-shaped area on a map; for him the beauty and magic of the landscape also captured his heart - as it will yours too!

The Wyedean Rally is being held on Saturday 13th February in the Forest, walking and cycling trails will be closed to the public on this day and will reopen on Sunday 14th February.  There will be a charge for parking at the official rally car parks.

How to get there:

Coleford, Monmouth, Ross-On-Wye, Cinderford, and Lydney are the nearest towns or villages.

Easily accessible from M4/48, M5, M50, A40 and A49. Mainline trains via Newport or Gloucester.

OS Grid Reference: SO 624 114
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info

Start your visit from:

Cannop Cycle Centre
Mallards Pike Lake
New Fancy
Beechenhurst Lodge
Cannop Cycle Centre
Mallards Pike Lake
New Fancy
Wenchford
Speech House Woodland
Speculation
Cannop
Nagshead Nature Reserve
Soudley Ponds
The Cyril Hart Arboretum

What's on in Forest Of Dean

February

March

April

View all events
Couple enjoying a picnic in Speech House woodlands

Facilities:

ToiletsParking ChargeInformationEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest ShopOther FacilitiesParking

Activities:

WalkingFishingWildlife ActivitiesOther ActivitiesBarbecuePicnicCyclingEducationalArtsPlay AreaView PointWatersports

Contact:

Recreation Ranger
01594 833057
e-mail: dean@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

User Comments

Name: Anon (5 Stars)
6/Jan/2010
We were so amazed at what we saw - we moved there!.....and we still can't believe it.

Name: Anonymous (5 Stars)
5/Nov/2009
amazing

Name: Anonymous (5 Stars)
27/Oct/2009

Been here, done this? What did you think?

Tell us what you think of this wood.

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What's of interest

Forest Walk Maps (£1.75) and 3 Cycle Route Cards(60p each) are available from our Coleford office - tel 01594 833057.

Booking is essential for many of our events - tel 01594 833057.

Are you a regular visitor to our main sites? Save money by purchasing a car parking season ticket, available from the Coleford office or Forest Connections at Beechenhurst Lodge.


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