Speech House Woods

Visitor information

Discover the history of Speech House Woods, near Cannop

Visit Speech House Woodland, which is situated close to the most famous building in the Forest of Dean - The Speech House. 

The Speech House was built in 1676 by the King as a "court" where local people could have their say. Regular verderers meetings are still held here to discuss the management of the vert and venison.

There are links to the Forest of Dean sculpture trail and Woorgreens Nature Reserve from the car park.

To help plan your visit you can download our walking trail map for nearby Beechenhurst.

 

At a glance

  • Walking trails
  • Dogs welcome
  • Parking overnight is not permitted

Things to do

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

Speech House Woods has a range of paths that run through the woodland. 

Plan your visit by downloading the trail map for nearby Beechenhurst

Nearby forests

Leaves against blue sky

Darkhill Ironworks, and the neighbouring Titanic Steelworks, are internationally important industrial remains associated with the development of the iron and steel industries. The world's first tungsten steel were produced here, with the ironworks dating back to 1811 and the brickworks being established some time before 1818. The complex of tramway, brickworks and ironworks lie on a series of terraces above one another on the hillside, resulting in a fascinating landscape to visit.

Trees in mist

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.

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

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.

Cafe at Beechenhurst in the Forest of Dean

Beechenhurst lies in the heart of the Forest of Dean, one of Britain's oldest and largest woodlands.

It is the ideal place for families to start their forest adventure, with a family activity trail, large forest-themed play area and Go Ape high ropes course. Explore the forest on foot using one of our walking trails, or bring your bikes and visit the wider forest using the Colliers Trail - our family-friendly cycling route.

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