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Forest Of Dean

(Average user rating5 unrated 4.6/5)
 
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!

 

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
Cannop
Nagshead Nature Reserve
Soudley Ponds
The Cyril Hart Arboretum
Wenchford
Soudley Ponds

User Comments

5 Stars 5 Stars

I agree with Dave. The concentrated tourist activity areas are good and serve a purpose. In a few hundred away from thses centres there is no change, but for the increase in depth of leaf mould on the forest floor that has been added to over the past 20 years. That said, the Boar have indeed arrived!

Rick Seager, 31/Jan/2012

Shauna It's still there dark and magical. You just need to get away from the normal tourist places and times. Theres something added now it's scary as well with all the boar around. My wife and I have walked for 3 hours in winter and met maybe 2 or 3 couples. I used to love following those little sheep tracks and getting right off the beaten track.

Dave Lucas, 22/Sep/2011
4 Stars 4 Stars

In response to the comment from the person who's been visiting the Forest for 25 years - yes it is a wonderful area, but it's changed so much in that time. The reference to Centre Parcs was interesting because that's how I feel the Forest of Dean is going. 20 years it was a much more rural place. Traffic and housing have increased noticibly, and visitor attractions like GoApe, Beechenhurst and the Cycle Centre have seen masive developement in the pursuit of tourist dollars. And, even though I'm a tourist myself, the increased number of visitors means you never feel 'isolated' any more. The Cannop ponds and Beechenhurst resembled a beach scene when we visited; with BBQ's going, people sitting everywhere on rugs and playing cricket, etc. What happened to that dark, magical and rustic Forest I remember?

Shauna Davies, 2/Jul/2011
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Please tell us about your visit

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

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Couple enjoying a picnic in Speech House woodlands

Facilities and Activities

ToiletsParking ChargeInformationEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest ShopOther FacilitiesParking
WalkingFishingWildlife ActivitiesOther ActivitiesBarbecuePicnicCyclingEducationalArtsPlay AreaView PointWatersportsHorse Riding
Walking
Waymarked walks start from the main forest picnic sites
Cycling
Family cycling trail plus a designated area for singletrack and downhill biking.
HorseRiding.gif
The stoned road network is suitable for riding.

Contact:

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

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 Discovery Pass, available from the Coleford office, Forest Connections at Beechenhurst Lodge or the Cycle Centre.


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