to Forestry Commission home page
to England home page

Beechenhurst Lodge


(Average user rating5 unrated 4.4/5)

About Beechenhurst Lodge

Formerly the site of Speech House colliery, Beechenhurst is now the ideal base for a family day out with walking trails, cafe facilities and a play area.

The play area has recently undergone refurbishment with a new zip wire and picnic area installed.  Beechenhurst is the starting point for the famous Sculpture Trail, the walk features pieces by famous artists set in beautiful woodland surroundings.

Car park improvement works are almost complete, please pay attention to the temporary signage for directions around the car park.

The Gavellers Cafe and restaurant provides a range of wholesome food with new items added to the menu each month. Coach parties should book with the cafe in advance on 01594 827357. To check cafe opening times please use the Gavellers website, link listed under useful sites.

Forest Connections, a shop area showcasing local products from the Forest of Dean area, is situated next door to the cafe. Charcoal BBQ hearths, a special events area - 'The Glade' with a group gas BBQ and a loft suitable for meetings and seminars can be hired from Forest Connections, please enquire on 01594 822612 or pop in for more details.

The Adventure Tower, 13m of crazy climbing and abseiling, can also be found on site. The tower has 36 colour coded climbs and 2 abseils.  Individuals can 'pay and play' 11am - 5pm in the school holidays and weekends from Saturday 31 March until Sunday 28 October 2012.  The tower is available for advanced group bookings all year round.  For more details call 01594 861762

 

 

 

How to get there:

Beechenhurst Lodge is in Forest Of Dean.
Travelling from Coleford to Cinderford on the B4226, continue by the junction with the B4234 (Parkend to Lydbrook road) driving up the Speech House Road for 500m before turning left into Beechenhurst.
Please don't use our postcode in your Sat Nav! It will take you to Broadwell near Coleford, this is on the B4226 but a few minutes drive away from Beechenhurst.
Coleford is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: SO614120
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info

What's on in Forest Of Dean

June

  • Canoe & Kayak Sessions
    Tuesday 17 April 2012
    Thursday 19 April 2012
    Tuesday 24 April 2012
    Thursday 26 April 2012
    Tuesday 1 May 2012
    Thursday 3 May 2012
    Tuesday 8 May 2012
    Thursday 10 May 2012
    Tuesday 15 May 2012
    Thursday 17 May 2012
    Tuesday 22 May 2012
    Thursday 24 May 2012
    Tuesday 29 May 2012
    Thursday 31 May 2012
    Tuesday 5 June 2012
    Thursday 7 June 2012

July

  • Nordic Walking
    Tuesday 10 April 2012
    Saturday 19 May 2012
    Saturday 14 July 2012
View all events
Beechenhurst Lodge

Facilities:

ToiletsParking ChargeInformationEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest ShopOther Facilities
Visitor Centre

Picnic site and toilets are open every day (except Christmas day)

Refreshments

For cafe opening times please check the Gavellers website.

Other Facilities

Parking charge is £3.00 per day Nov - Feb and £3.50 Mar - Oct. Coaches £10. Please bring the correct change for the parking machine. The ticket can be used on the day at our other FC Pay & Display sites in the Dean. Discovery passes are available for £25.00.

Activities

EducationalArtsBarbecuePicnicPlay AreaView Point
Walking three trails and ramblers routes
Beechenhurst to Speech House Link Path
Speculation trail
Sculpture Trail
Cycling There is a link through the car park to the Family Cycle Trail
Other Activities Site closes at 7.30pm, the barrier will be locked at this time.

Contact:

Forest Of Dean Recreation Ranger

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

User Comments

5 Stars 5 Stars

beautiful its a great place for a great day out!

Anonymous, 20/Mar/2012
5 Stars 5 Stars

Gavellers Cafe at Beechenhurst Lodge is a fantastic restaurant. It is family run and an asset to our lovely Forest. On February 11th 2012, Martyn and his staff catered for over 300 people who came to enjoy the Team GMF Wydean Rally. Nothing was too much trouble and the food was amazing. I cannot recommend this venue enough. What a great place and great people. Thanks again!

Debra Evans, 13/Feb/2012
4 Stars 4 Stars

I think this a fantastic place especially for families with toddlers & older. However the cafe really let's it down. The service is slow and the staff rude & disinterested plus it's costly! I went there today with friends all with toddlers, it was a very cold (but beautifully sunny day) and we were told we couldn't sit inside. All the indoor furniture was piled up outside. The lady behind the counter was obstructive & gave us drinks in horrid polystyrene cups despit there being lots of their usual ceramic mugs available. I'll continue to visit but won't spend any more money in the cafe. It's such a shame as it could be great.

Anonymous, 16/Jan/2012
More user comments

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.

Email addresses will not be shown

Please help us reduce the amount of spam we receive by entering the following characters in upper or lower case without the quotes into the box below: "AES"