New Fancy

Visitor information

Discover stunning views of the Forest of Dean at the New Fancy View Point, located near Cannop

Formerly the site of the New Fancy coal mine, come and see the spectacular views that the old spoil heap now provides. The viewpoint is an ideal place to watch birds of prey soaring above the woodland.

Other features that you can explore at New Fancy include the Geomap, a map you can walk on showing the underlying geology of the forest with mines and quarries marked out, plus the 'Roll of Honour' Sculpture. The 'Roll of Honour' sculpture, visible from the car park, was installed in 2005. 

Bring your bikes and explore the wider forest using the Colliers Trail, which can be easily accessed from the car park.

 

 

At a glance

The "Roll of Honour" sculpture, commissioned by the Forest of Dean Local History Society commemorates the miners that worked in the forest. The three arms represent the three elements which were mined and quarried in the area - coal, iron and stone.
20/02/2024 13:04

Things to do

Colliers trail at New Fancy

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

Find out more

Picnics at New Fancy

Enjoy a tasty treat at New Fancy. Just bring along good food and company!

The picnic area is located next to the car park. 

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

Find out more

The Mine Trail at New Fancy

Discover the 300 year history of mining at the Forest of Dean along the Mine Trail at New Fancy. 

The walk is approximately five miles and the trail leaflets are illustrated with old photographs of the mines from the Ian Pope Collection. 

Trail leaflets can be bought from the Forest of Dean Local History Society here. 

Find out more

Nearby forests

Lakeside view at Mallards Pike

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.

Find out more
A wooden boardwalk stretches over the water at Cannop Ponds. Blue sky with white fluffy clouds.

Cannop Ponds

Cannop Ponds are two reservoirs within the Forest of Dean, originally created in 1820s to supply a waterwheel at Parkend Ironworks.

Today, they are used for fishing by the Yorkley Angling Club and the site makes an idyllic spot to view local birdlife. Enjoy the picturesque picnic area overlooking the ponds and look out for the Mandarin ducks, reed warblers and a pair of nesting mute swans.

Find out more
Pied-Flycatcher in tree

Nagshead Nature Reserve

Made up of a beautiful mature oak woodland, Nagshead Nature Reserve plays host to a variety of bird species, making it the perfect day out for any wildlife enthusiasts throughout the year. See if you can spot pied flycatchers in the spring, woodpeckers in summer, nuthatches in autumn and goshawks over winter! 

Find out more
Trees in mist

The Cyril Hart Arboretum

Established in 1915 with trees brought back by the Victorian plant hunter Ernest Wilson from his 1910 explorations of China, The Cyril Hart Arboretum is home to over 200 tree species. 

Originally known as the Speech House Arboretum, it was later renamed the Cyril Hart Arboretum after Dr Cyril Hart who dedicated a lifetime of service to forestry and was a Senior Verderer (1952 – 2009) of the Forest of Dean.

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