Visitor information
Opening hours
How to find us
Parking & prices
Facilities & access
Contact details

Opening hours

Open every day except Christmas Day. The site opens at 8:00am every day and the closing times are as follows:

November to February - 5:00pm

March - 6:30pm

April - 8:00pm

May to August - 9:00pm

September - 7:30pm

October - 6:30pm

Beechenhurst is often quieter on weekdays (outside of school holidays), earlier in the morning, and later in the afternoon.

How to find us

How to find us

Please note that if you put the postcode in to your satnav it will take you to the nearby Speech House Hotel - you can follow brown signs from there to find us.  

Speech House Road, Coleford
Sat Nav Postcode: GL16 7EL
By Car

Follow tourist signs for the Forest of Dean. Take the B4226 Coleford to Cinderford road. Beechenhurst is located between the B4234 crossroads (Parkend/Lydbrook) and the Speech House Hotel.  

 

Or go car-free

By Public Transport

We welcome car-free visitors and offer free admission to those arriving by public transport or bike – plan your journey at Good Journey.

From Coleford - number 25 (stops a short walk away).  

From Lydney - number 23 bus, change at Coleford to number 25 bus 

Cinderford - number 25 bus.  

OS Grid Ref
SO614120

51.806067402752, -2.5609087944031

Parking and prices

Pay for your parking with cash, debit/credit card or use the RingGo app. We recommend downloading the app to your phone before you visit.

You can also use RingGo by pre-booking online or calling 0203 046 0063 with location code 31002 (cars) or 31003 (minibus or motorhome).

There is a small convenience charge for using this service.  See RingGo online for full terms and conditions and VAT receipts.

Forest of Dean members park for free. Buy your Membership now for £40 and simply display your pass in your vehicle without queuing for a ticket. Parking charges and memberships help us to look after the Forest of Dean for everyone.

 

Parking Charges

The money you pay for parking helps us to look after the forests. Read how
Peak charges (1 April - 31 October)
Up to 2 hours £3.00
Up to 4 hours £5.00
All day £7.00
Off peak charges (1 November - 31 March)
Up to 2 hours £2.00
Up to 4 hours £4.00
All day £5.00

Coaches/Minibuses charges

Minibuses/motorhomes - peak £10.00, off peak £8.00

Coaches/minibuses with trailers - peak £12.00, off peak £10.00

Additional information

Regular visitors can save money by becoming a Member - Find out more about our membership offer

If you arrive car-free there is no charge, find out more.

 

Number of accessible parking spaces: 11
Card payments accepted
Coaches/Minibuses welcomed
Disabled parking available
Pay by phone available

Facilities and access

Beechenhurst Cafe is open daily. 

If you have limited mobility (short or long term, for any reason), why not hire a tramper through the Countryside Mobility Scheme? These can be used to explore the nearby Cyril Hart Arboretum. You do not have to be registered disabled to hire a Tramper.

Beechenhurst is often quieter on weekdays (outside of school holidays), earlier in the morning, and later in the afternoon.

For more information on planning your visit, take a look at our accessibility guide:

Accessible toilet
Baby changing facilities
Cafe
Dogs allowed
Picnic area
Play Area
Ranger's Office
Toilets

Contact details

Activities at Beechenhurst

two boys cycling in the forest on a cycle route
Family cycle trail at Beechenhurst
Group dog walking
Walking trails at Beechenhurst
Stained glass hanging from trees
Arts - The Forest of Dean Sculpture trail at Beechenhurst
children's play areas in the forest
Beechenhurst play area
group of ladies on mountain bikes in a forest
Breeze into the Forest in the Forest of Dean
Child flying through the woods on a zip wire
Go Ape Tree Top Adventure at Beechenhurst
A child on the Go Ape Tree Top Adventure Plus at Moors Valley
Go Ape Tree Top Adventure Plus at Beechenhurst
BBQ ALice Holt Food
Picnics and barbecues at Beechenhurst
kIds in forest
Zog activity trail at Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean

Nearby forests

duck generic

The site was originally home to the Severn and Wye Railway, which was constructed to allow exploitation of the mineral resources of the Forest of Dean.

Lakeside view at Mallards Pike

There is something for everyone at this beautiful lakeside setting.

Adrenaline seekers can challenge themselves at Go Ape Tree Top Challenge. For those with energy left to burn there is Forest Segway or a range of running trails from 2km to 10km routes.

View from Symonds Yat Rock in spring

Discover the ancient hill fort, spot birds of prey and enjoy a snack from the log cabin cafe.

There are waymarked trails linking to the River Wye and over the famous Biblins Bridge, or a choice of circular walks into the forest itself. There is also a cycling trail linking Forest Holidays and Camping in the Forest site at Bracelands to Symonds Yat Rock.

Family walking through autumnal forest

Wenchford is a beautiful spot nestled deep within the forest with plenty of picnic tables and an easy access path

Blackpool Brook trickles through the site under the dappled shade of the large oak trees. The paddling area is the perfect place to cool down in the hot summer months.

The toilet facilities are open from April until the end of October. Parking charges only apply during this time.  

Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership
Volunteer with us invitation - click to discover volunteer opportunities across England