Start at Dean Heritage Centre Stay on route for two and 3 Beechenhurst Lodge 5 Hopewell Colliery 6 At the Perrygrove Railway a half miles. You will notice 1 if arriving from the East picnic sites on either side of Visitor Centre An ideal location to go underground and see a Forest you can travel for 1 /2 miles on a unique 15” gauge this road. Each site provides has paid parking for cars and coaches (be sure to have Dean Heritage Centre Speech House of Dean coal mine, with mine workings dating back to estate steam railway and follow an all weather treasure some change ready). It also has loos, an excellent picnic benches. the 1820’s. The attraction is open everyday during the hunt. An ideal attraction for children. the Cannop Ponds Coleford Clearwell Caves cafeteria and a shop selling local crafts, gifts and main season and has a cafe. souvenirs plus a visitor information section. This is 400 yards further along 1 the starting point for the Sculpture Trail, buy a guide A little further on from the B4228 is Puzzle Wood RoyalForest The Dean Heritage Centre Hopewell Colliery you can on the right hand side. at the lodge. is an essential introduction to the Forest of Dean. Shortly before the Speech House, on the left-hand side turn right at the next This is an extraordinary route Based around five galleries, it tells the story of Dean’s of the road opposite the Speech House Woodland you Sculptures such as the ‘Giant’s Chair’ and ‘Cathedral’ add crossroads for Symonds Yat visitor attraction that highlights to a gentle and picturesque two-mile route. Rock viewpoint (B4432). defies easy description. a journey of two halves! unique culture and environment. Woodland walks, a will find the signposted Cyril Hart Arboretum. Ernest To continue along the rooftop terrace café and a picnic and barbecue area Wilson, known as ‘Chinese Wilson’ as a result of his To rejoin the Royal Forest route go straight over the This circuit through the heart of the Forest of Dean complement special events, exhibitions and craft collecting trips to the East, started this fine collection Route, turn right out of crossroads and follow the 7 Puzzle Wood has been divided into two halves. The first section, demonstrations throughout the year. of trees in 1916. There is a picnic site and parking. Beechenhurst and follow the road downhill towards from the Dean Heritage Centre to Clearwell Caves, A trail for the visually impaired is provided. road down the hill. Coleford (B4226). Turn left is a former (pre-Roman) open cast ore mine, although From the Dean Heritage at the end of the road, is the best route and starting point for visitors arriving Just before the crossroads its popularity today is really due to the extraordinary Centre car park, turn left: Further along the road (300 yards) on the left hand on the left you will find the towards Coleford. from Gloucester and the East. For those joining the landscape that the grown-over ore workings have You are heading for the side is the Speech House Hotel. entrance to Cannop Ponds. Coleford is a busy Royal Forest Route from the West (Wye Valley and heart of the Forest of Dean! working town with a long created. A maze of paths with seats and bridges Severn Bridge) we recommend that you join at Immediately on your history, you can follow the disorientate and surprise at every turn, like some Clearwell Caves and start with the section between right you will pass Soudley 2 The Speech House Hotel 4 Cannop Ponds Coleford Town Walk which fantasy movie set. highlights historic buildings. Clearwell Caves and the Dean Heritage Centre. Ponds Nature Reserve, a is another popular wooded picnic spot overlooking a pond. The Coleford Visitor The Royal Forest Route pleasant spot for a picnic is a forest landmark. Built in 1676 as a hunting lodge Remember that the route is only 20 miles long. There is An ideal spot for lunch with the family, with a woodland Information Centre offers continues from Puzzle Wood or walk. for Charles II (his Arms can still be seen in the hotel’s stream that holds a fascination for younger children. advice, information and to Clearwell Caves. Come out plenty of time to stop, visit the attractions and enjoy At the next junction stonework). The building became the administrative accommodation bookings. of Puzzle Wood and turn right the beauty spots. Plan your own diversions as well – follow the brown and centre of the forest, with the largest room being the Leaving Cannop Ponds the On reaching Coleford, towards the Caves, follow the to visit the Dean Forest Railway, Symonds Yat, nearby white ‘Scenic Route’ signs Verderers’ Court. turn left at the traffic lights way you came in turn left and Brown and White signposts. Newent... There are many other options. Elsewhere in for one and a half miles to to continue on the Royal Opposite the hotel you continue straight over the Take the next right turn off the this guide, you’ll find further information to help you Ruspidge/Cinderford. Forest Route, following will find a stone monument crossroads along the Royal main road after about 400 plan. There is also plenty of easily printed information At Ruspidge you could the B4228 and Brown that marks the centre of Forest Route signposted for yards up the road and follow stop and take the ‘Blue and White signposts for on www.visitforestofdean.co.uk the Forest. Coleford B4226. ‘Clearwell Caves. Perrygrove. the road down the hill. The Rock Trail’ (on your right) Continuing past the At this point you can seek Puzzlewood’ (Or for caves are about 400 yards In this Guide, basic route information is a pleasant walk and Speech House Hotel out Pedalabikeaway (Forest Coleford Town Centre and down the hill on the left-hand marked with a black arrow. picnic site. you will soon see Cycle Centre) by turning right the Visitor Information side of the road. Follow the road to the Attractions on the route are designated Beechenhurst Lodge at the crossroads. Follow Centre go straight ahead 1 T-junction at the end, at the traffic lights). with a green symbol. signposted on the right. Brown and White signpost. opposite you will see the From Pedalabikeaway there On the Royal Forest Some of the Attractions near the route White Hart Inn. To continue are marked cycle routes Route following the B4228 and worth a detour have blue symbols. on the Royal Forest Route through the forest. go straight over at both sets The woods are lovely, turn left and follow signs Back on the Royal Forest of traffic lights and head It is worth noting that some attractions charge for the Speech House out of town. Perrygrove dark and deep. Route you will see Brown Railway is half a mile an admission fee. (B4226). In a moment and White signs for Hopewell further on, on the left. But I have promises to keep, Please remember to follow the country code and the ashes are M90 Colliery, a reminder of the coal M80 mining tradition in the Forest. drive carefully in the forest – the sheep have the M8 made, but the Turn right off the main And miles to go before I sleep, right of way! forest is a long M74 road into Hopewell Colliery, And miles to go before I sleep. For more information on the Route as well as or continue straight on for time growing. A74(M) things to do and see in the Forest of Dean, visit: Coleford Town Centre. Robert Frost (Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening) www.visitforestofdean.co.uk (Seneca) A1(M) M6 Start at Clearwell Caves if You will pass the Orepool Back on the Royal Forest M62 the M62 Inn on your right. Follow the Route after half a mile you M1 arriving from the West road towards Sling and will find Mallards Pike M53 RoyalForest before the Miner’s Arms turn signposted on your left. M1 M6 Clearwell Caves Clearwell Nagshead right signposted to Parkend. route Mallards Pike Dean Heritage Centre At the T-junction, turn right signposted for Blakeney. Birmingham A1(M) On this road you will pass a 10 8 Clearwell Caves Mallards Pike Lake M5 M1 M11 sign for the Gloucestershire M40 M50 The caves are a unique part of Britain’s heritage. Iron ore Way and also the Mary Rose This lake and picnic area (with loos) offers gentle walking The Forest Swansea of Dean Gloucester Young Pottery shop, both on and wonderful views plus the Go Ape! high adventure ropes M4 London has been mined here for nearly 3000 years to form an M4 your left. Further along on course. At the lake you can see a sculpture of the frog and M2 incredible system of underground tunnels and chambers, M25 Bristol M20 your left (1.5 miles) is the the mermaid. The name refers to a tollhouse that once M3 of which 8 large caverns are now open to the public. M23 Nagshead Nature Reserve stood at the entrance. Mallards Pike is also the starting base M5 Originally a natural cave system, it is partially filled with M27 (RSPB). iron ore, which has been mined extensively since the for the Severnwye Llama & Camel Trekking company. beginning of the Iron Age. Today, there is a fashionable Turn left out of Mallards demand for Clearwell Ochre, an oxide pigment mined Cycle Pike and continue along Centre underground. Reds, yellows, purples and browns are used the road.