Wenchford

Visitor information

Opening hours

Open every day except Christmas Day. The site opens at 8.30am every day and the closing times are as follows:

November to February - 5pm

March - 6.30pm

April - 8pm

May to August - 9pm

September - 7.30pm

October - 6.30pm

For a quieter forest experience, we recommend planning your visit for early morning (before 10.00am) or in the evening (after 4pm). The forest is usually less busy on week days.

How to find us

New Road, Blakeney

By Car

From Blakeney take New Road heading North West towards Parkend. Wenchford is on the right after one mile.

By Public Transport

From Coleford - number 23 bus

From Lydney - number 23 bus

From Cinderford - number 30 bus

All bus stops are a half hours walk from Wenchford.

OS Grid Ref

SO 654081

Get directions

51.769591307464, -2.5022235810425

Parking and prices

Parking charges apply at Wenchford 1 April - 31 October.

Pay for your parking with cash 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 31046 (cars only).

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

Please note: there is no phone signal at Wenchford so if you plan to pay by phone please do so before arriving.

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

Peak charges (1 April - 31 October)
Up to 2 hours	£2.00
Up to 4 hours	£4.00
All day	£5.00

Coaches/Minibuses charges

Minibuses/motorhomes - £8.00

Coaches/minibuses with trailers - £10.00

Additional information

Regular visitors can save money by becoming a Member -

Number of accessible parking spaces: 3

Coaches/Minibuses welcomed

Disabled parking available

Pay by phone available

Facilities and access

Assistant dogs welcome

Dogs allowed

Picnic area

Toilets

Contact details

Landline Number

0300 067 4800

E-Mail Address

westengland@forestryengland.uk

Wenchford

The perfect place to stop for a picnic within the Forest of Dean!

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.

If you are planning a picnic at Wenchford, please make sure you take your litter home with you and recycle where possible. Open fires, portable/disposable BBQs or camping stoves are not allowed. The only way to barbecue in the forest is to hire one of our barbecue sites at Beechenhurst.

At a glance

Please no BBQs, fires or camp stoves

24/03/2022 11:09

From Sunday 1st May, we will be opening slightly later than usual, we apologise for any inconvenience.

28/04/2022 10:43

A48 closed at Blakeney. Please follow diversion. We recommend travelling from the Parkend direction - Follow us on Facebook for updates.

05/07/2021 10:14

Things to do

Picnics at Wenchford

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at our beautiful picnic area, just bring along good food and company!

There are several picnic tables located across the grass area at Wenchford. Relax and unwind in the tranquil setting and take in the sights and sounds of the forest. Please make sure you take all your litter away with you.

No fires or BBQs permitted.

Find out more

Walking trails at Wenchford

The Blackpool Brook trail trickles through the site under the dappled shade of the large oak trees. An easy access path, the Mallards to Wenchford trail, runs down from the car park to the picnic site.

Find out more

Nearby forests

Beechenhurst

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, Sculpture Trail, play area and Go Ape Tree Top Adventure. You can even bring your bikes and access the wider forest on our Family Cycle Trail.

Find out more

Cannop Ponds

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.

Find out more

walkers enjoying a walk around a woodland lake in autumn

Mallards Pike

This beautiful setting is a great place to get active. 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

Symonds Yat Rock

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.

Find out more

Happy times and waggy tails

For a safe and enjoyable visit for everyone, read our guidance on dogs in the forest.

Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership

Volunteer with us invitation - click to discover volunteer opportunities across England