© 2009 Steve Cooper
The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail is open to the public all year. The trail starts from Beechenhurst near the Speech House where car parking is available for a small charge plus toilet facilities and refreshments. The Sculptures are near tracks that are entirely in Forestry Commission woodlands and there is no admission charge. We recommend that you buy a trail guide leaflet for a small charge. These can be purchased from 'Forest Connections' at Beechenhurst Lodge near the start of the trail. The latest addition is 'Echo' by Annie Cattrell and was installed in 2008. Parts of the trail can be muddy in wet weather so be sure to bring along strong shoes on your walk around the sculpture trail.

Please see our Audio Guide download that you can download. The Audio Guide tells you about the Forest of Dean and uses the exhibits on the Sculpture Trail to highlight aspects of the culture and history of the Forest of Dean. The Audio Guide can be played at home or during a visit to the trail.

© 2009 Steve Cooper
The Window (or Cathedral) is one of the most popular exhibits on the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. It is located near a Forestry Commission Car Park, near the Speech House. It was one of the first exhibits on the Sculpture Trail and was made by Kevin Atherton. It was erected in 1986.

Please see our Audio Guide download that tells you about the Forest of Dean. The guide uses the exhibits on the Sculpture Trail to highlight aspects of the culture and history of the Forest of Dean. The Audio Guide can be played at home or during a visit to the trail..

© 2009 Steve Cooper
Bradley Hill is one of the most popular places to see wild bluebells. Wild Boar have also been spotted near here. Exceptional displays of Bluebells can be seen in the Forest of Dean and Wye valley in early summer. Bradley Hill is near an exposed section of the 'Roman Road' through the Forest of Dean.

© 2009 Steve Cooper
Four popular locations in the Wye Valley.
+ The river Wye from Symonds Yat Rock. This is the classic view from Symonds Yat Rock with Coppet Hill on the right and Herefordshire in the distance.
+ Tintern Abbey from the banks of the river Wye. Tintern Abbey was on the first ever 'tourist trail' and remains a popular place to visit to this day.
+ The Rope Ferry at Symonds Yat. This ferry is run by the Saracen's Head pub at Symonds Yat East.
+ The river Wye at Brockweir, a view taken from Brockweir Bridge. The bridge at Brockweir has been in place for just over 100 years. Prior to that a ferry operated right here. The white building is Brockweir Moravian church.

© 2009 Steve Cooper
The four seasons in the Forest of Dean Beech woods near the Speech House in Spring. The view from Symonds Yat Rock in Summer. Autumn colours near Cinderford. Cannop Ponds in winter.

© 2009 Steve Cooper
The viewpoint at Symonds Yat Rock is one of our most-visited locations and has been so since the the Wye Tour became popular back in the 18th century. The hill to the right is Coppett Hill. In summer much of Coppett Hill is green in colour but in autumn and winter dead bracken replaces the green areas with a rich brown covering.

© 2009 Steve Cooper
Wild Flowers in the Forest of Dean. Foxgloves, Bluebells, Wood Anemones, Daffodils and Snowdrops. The local term for foxgloves is 'Snompers'.

© 2009 Steve Cooper
Four places to visit during your stay.
Lydney Harbour (known locally as Lydney Docks) has always been very popular with locals. It was formerly used for bringing in huge logs to make plywood and for shipping out Forest of Dean coal. Nowadays it is used only for leisure.
The Speech House, the home of the Verderers court, now a hotel.
The Miners Memorial at New Fancy. The Geomap is situated close to the Miners Memorial.
Parkend is a popular place to see free-roaming sheep in the Forest of Dean. These sheep are near the track from Parkend to Nagshead Nature Reserve.

© 2009 Steve Cooper
The Linear Park at Cinderford.
The view over the Horsehoe Bend of the river Severn and the Cotswolds from Littledean Hill.
The river Wye at Lower Lydbrook in Autumn.
The remains of Howbeach coal mine near Mallards Pike.

© 2009 Steve Cooper
A cricket match at Bream.
Sheep near Parkend.
The Miner's Memorial at New Fancy.
A Dean Forest Railway train at Whitecroft level crossing.