Overview

Do read part one first, DEAN HERITAGE CENTRE Our Dean forest trip continues now with part two of the forest trip. Cyril Hart Arboretum SAT NAV GL16 7EL The Arboretum was first established in 1915 with trees brought here by a plant hunter, Ernest Wilson, and this collection of now more than 200 trees was originally known as Speech House Arboretum, which has been added to over the years. The collection first started with trees from China, but nowadays holds species from around the world, all carefully planted out in a way that they can easily be seen, and a disabled chair user can get around quite well as the surface paths are compacted soil and mostly on the level, with a car park with two disabled bays right by the gate, with next to no walk required to get right into the tree collection, which is in a fenced area, so your canine friends can safely use the arboretum. It has been renamed as the Cyril Hart arboretum, who was a gentleman that gave a lifetime of service to the forestry, and today it is managed by the Forestry England, which is filled with spectacular trees, including the Chilian Pine (monkey puzzle tree). Most trees are marked and listed as you walk around, and it is believed that there are now over 21 million trees in the Forest of Dean area, but my husband didn’t have time to count them. Dr Hart was born on 23rd March 1913 in the Royal Forest of Dean, living in Coleford until his death in May 2009, then in his 90,s. It is understood that from his early years he loved forestry, especially in the Forest of Dean, and has written books on forestry, and in November 1952 he became the youngest person to be elected as a Verderers (a Forest official who looks after common land under the property of the crown) and he dealt with the general day to day affairs of the forest, and recorded minor offences. interestingly, part of his work was to look after the deer in the forest, numbers varying year to year, in fact for about 90 years from 1855, the deer were completely absent from the forest, and we certainly saw no sign of any deer on our journey around the forest, but apparently there are supposed to be a herd of around 400 Fallow deer in the forest today. Our photos start after a 15 minute journey through stunning woodland scenes, until we arrived at the Cyril Hart arboretum (photo 1). There were only Two disabled bays but they were right by the gate. (photo 2). There is a tremendous variety of trees, Firs, and Deciduous trees ( photo 3) in full Autumn glory, and we were pleased to see there is no parking charges in 2021 to enter the arboretum. A cluster of six, huge pine trees with their thick old trunks amazed us, (photo 4) obviously having stood here for many years. Conifers and Pines mixed with others made a beautiful setting with their colours (photo 5). The path is compressed soil (photo 6) easy to push the wheelchair, and it led to another gate if you wish to carry on. We chose to retrace our steps (photo 7) and return to our car, across a most scenic view over the trees, many in Autumn colours as we arrived back at the car park. Our final thoughts It is a must to see with such a variety of trees, for us in their Autumn glory, all in a natural woodland setting, and we say well worth half an hour or more to amble along the paths admiring the trees. ===================================================================== CANNOP PONDS. SAT NAV. GL15 4JS The ponds (or lakes) were created over 4 years to supply a waterwheel at PARKEND ironworks, from 1825 to 1829, and you may see these two lakes quite close to Beechenhurst. Originally the site was home to the Seven and Wye railway, built to allow works to get to the mineral resources of the forest. (You can read about these mines in part 4, New Fancy view). The lower pond, created in 1825 was built with the use of a “LEAT” ( a channel or watercourse dug out into the ground) to help supply water to the water Mill, but this was unreliable, so the upper pond was created in 1829. The lakes are used today by the Yorkley angling club, but it is an ideal place to sit and watch the Mandarin ducks, Mute swans, and Reed Warblers, but the whole area has many species of birds to see, including for our own pleasure, a great spotted woodpecker. It’s a 22 acre site, a mix of woodland trees, Alder and Birch, and marshland. The ponds are fed by the Cannop brook which flows through the centre of the reserve, with a small wooden bridge and causeway on the southern boundary. Car parking is provided, but with a parking charge of two pounds for two hours, and you have to pay for a ticket (in cash only) at a number of ticket machines. LAfter leaving the Arboretum you drive about a mile further, to reach the sign pointed Cannop Ponds site, and we suggest you stop at the very first car parking area (photo 9) to buy your ticket before driving along the scenic driveway (photo 10). Driving along we caught sight of the smaller lake (photo 11) and stopped quickly for photos. There are a number of spots you can park (photo 12) then a delightful walk can be taken with picnic benches leading to the pool (photo 13) and the paths are easy for your chairs to be taken over, with sitting areas. On the pond there where Mute swans in such a picturesque setting (photo 14) and a wide variety of ducks (photo 15) Including the Mandarin ducks (photo 16). Returning to the bridge (photo 17) and on the opposite bank is a long level pathway, we presume the course of the old railway line, again suitable for wheelchairs ect (photo 18). We lingered by the lake which was so relaxing and among the trees was an abundance of bird life (photo 19) all so busy and interesting to watch, but my next delight was to see a woodpecker land on a tree just a few feet away. Our final thoughts This again was a beautiful area, very disabled friendly, and well worth a visit in this stunning area.

Transport & Parking

Parking areas were available at both places, but must buy a parking ticket for two pounds (2021) Various spots to park by the bridge for lower pond.

Access

Again disabled parking was easy, two bays at arboretum, while just many areas by the pond. The paths are wide and disabled friendly, on compacted soil, may be difficult following heavy rain, but paths will dry out quickly. From these paths you will see much of the nature and wildlife.

Toilets

We did not see any toilets, but it’s only about half a mile to next stopping point, at Beechenhurst, where there are toilets, (very poor mind you) or another half mile to Speech house where better quality drinks and toilets can be found.

Staff

Photos