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. The collection of trees has been added to over the years and now contains species found from around the globe. 

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.

The arboretum can be explored along surfaced and unsurfaced paths, most of which are flat. The unsurfaced paths can get muddy if it has rained.

Please note: Dogs must be kept on leads at all times inside the arboretum.

Imjin Veteran Memorial

The arboretum is home to the Imjin Veteran Memorial. This permanent memorial recognises the soldiers who fought in in the Battle of the Imjin River (part of the Korean War) and the contribution of Forest soldiers in 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment (Glosters), to the United Nations' peace keeping force that ensured the future of a democratic Republic of Korea.

The memorial was designed to reflect the spirit of the “Welcome Gate to Freedom”, a structure built in the Panmunjom neutral area, a demilitarised zone between the combatants to allow the exchange of prisoners in 1953.

You can find out more about the memorial and its history here.