Cannop Ponds

The Colliers Trail is our family cycling trail - a fully waymarked, circular route, with connecting routes to villages and picnic sites. This route has been especially surfaced and is suitable for all ages and abilities.

The trail follows the route of the old railway which served the many coal mines (collieries) around the Forest. The remnants of many of these former mines are still visible today, along with the station names.

You can access the trail from a number of locations around the Forest of Dean, including the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, Beechenhurst, Cannop Ponds and Mallards Pike.

Fancy a shorter family route? Try the 5mile/8km ride from Forest of Dean Cycle Centre or Beechenhurst on the waymarked Hicksters Way Loop.

To find out about cycle hire, tag-a-longs or electric bikes, contact our on-site bike hire specialists at Forest of Dean Cycle Centre.

This is a shared use trail and so you will come across walkers, dogs and runners on your way around. Please watch out for other people and take care when passing.

If you are interested in learning more about the local history, you can download the “Forest of Dean Hidden Heritage” app for free from your app store. This is packed full of information on each point of interest along the trail.

Download our trail maps here

Check if our cycling trails are open or closed

Cannop Ponds is one of the best waters in the forest for angling. Managed by Yorkley Angling Club, day permits can be bought on the bank from the Club bailiff or from local tackle shops

There are two lakes, both of which offer a variety of fish to impressive sizes:

Cannop 1, Southern Lake

Approx. 50 pegs  7 Disabled Platforms with Access Depth 3ft to 20ft

Stock: Carp 30lb+, Bream 6lb+, Tench 7lb, Pike 30lb+, Roach, Perch, Rudd, Eels, Chub

Cannop 2, Northern Lake

                                                             Approx. 30 pegs                                              3 Disabled Platforms with Access Depth 2ft to 8ft

Stock: Rudd, Perch, Carp, Bream, Tench, Roach, Crucian Carp, Eels

Night Fishing is permitted only by holders of a night permit.

Please note: The dams and spillways at Cannop Ponds are nearly 200 years old, and so work is being carried out to future-proof the site and address the structural issues that have been found. This may affect the fishing rights temporarily in future years, but the project is in early stages and works are still being designed. 

With several picnic tables scattered along a grassy area, enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at Cannop Ponds. 

Silvia Davis Refreshments are open 11am – 4pm every weekend and daily during the Gloucestershire School Holidays.  

Refreshments include a choice of wild boar, venison or vegan sausages in a bap; burgers (including vegetarian) plus a selection of hot and cold drinks and ice cream (including vegan options).

To prevent forest fires and reduce waste, please do not bring any barbecues into our forests.

Walking at Cannop Ponds is the perfect way to get some fresh air and explore some of the area's most beautiful landscapes.

Lakeside path

A path takes visitors around both lakes where it is possible to walk and enjoy the wildlife.  This path is not waymarked or surfaced, and so maybe muddy during the winter.

Fancy something longer? 

Cannop Ponds can be accessed by the 13 km (8 miles) Beechenhurst trail.

This is a challenging walk with several ascents and descents on unsurfaced paths. An OS map is advised for this trail or Ramblers map available from Forest of Dean Ramblers