Forest of Dean anyone?

[denisg]

Spending a photograhy/spotting week in the Forest of Dean from 7-14 Oct. Anyone have any recommendations for great landscape and anything live. Good area for deer?

MTIA,

Denis.

[Mr Mag00]

Hi and welcome

Symonds Yat gives panoramic shots over the valley if the weather is good, walking in the woods can give some great activity shots of people as normally quite busy, below symonds yat there are rapids with people canoeing, kayaking, further down river is biblins bridge which can give action shots near to here is 7 sisters which again is a good up river shot over the biblins bridge. I have found deer to be elusive as its normally quite busy but there are some great walks marked and well worth the effort, often seen deer markings/prints. Bird life is good, peregrines from symonds yat, but that hit or miss. Many years ago loads of twitchers on the yat looking at nest of peregrine in cliff face. im looking over the edge and recent fledged chick within handling distance, no camera

um... Tintern abbey within striking distance in a car a466 i think.

this is all west of the actual Forest, within the Forest I am sure they have one of the sound exhibitiuons with huge wooden instruments, try the Commission webiste. I hope some of that helps. Its a great place I used to walk there across the Severn bridge as a teenager and ride to the Foret on push bike, great camping and exploring, hope you enjoy it.

[NigelT]

Try Cannop ponds close to the visitors centre. There are two large lakes here with ducks and other waterfowl. It is a very nice walking area all round. If you like steam trains there is the railway and, I don't know if it is open this time of the year, but puzzle wood is nice to visit with twisted trees growing out of old quarry workings.

If your timing is right, the autumn colours are fantastic in the forest. there is a FREE arboratum near Speach House which you can walk around at your leasure and there are bird feeding stations at the entrance where you can spot a number of species. I have seen tree creepers, several types of finch and woodpeckers on visits.

There are Clearwell Caves, near coleford not that I have been in them so I can't say what they are like. The sculpture trail, best to park opposite Speach House otherwise the parking costs a good bit at the visitors centre ! but it's a nice walk through the woods with various sculptures here and there.

Don't know about deer, but there are loose wild boar about but beware if you come across them they can be dangerous! Even the light through the trees will give nice shots. You'll have to pick your time and tour about a bit. As Mr. Magoo says, the Wye valley is great for shots all along.

You could also try Ross-on-Wye. there are some nice river meadow shots there - especially if the river is swollen it often floods there. Also you'r not too far from Abergavenny and the Brecons - loads of castles such as Raglan, Skenfrith, Grosmont and Whitecastle and there is the lovely drive from Llanthony Abbey ruins over the mountain via a narrow road with stunning views to Hay on Wye where the books shops fill the town.

Have a great time.

[salacious_squirrel]

It may be rather late now , but Beechenhurst Lodge does Deer watches etc details of which can be found through the FoD tourist Information Centre in Coleford.

Also Nags Head Reserve in Parkend has some great birdwatching opportunities!

[redandshane]

I would be really interested to hear how you got on and if you found any gems in The Forest Of Dean as I am off for a weeks camping near Coleford at the end of October and plan to do a fair bit of walking photography etc

So please keep on posting Re FOD
Ta

[ChrisJB]

I really recommend the drive over the Gospel Pass to Hay on Wye, via Llanthony Priory. A glorious landscape. You can even have a pint in the pub, in the vaults of the priory.

Regards, Chris

[monkey]

Hi
Puzzle wood is definately worth a visit and magical even for adults I keep meaning to visit again and take some photos havent been since got a better camera. Also the sculpture trail is good and you will see things like a giant stainglass panel hanging up between a line trees to catch the llight and skeletal deer shapes walking into the pond its all in natural settings and makes a normal forest walk abit different.

Linda

[Harold Smith]

Try the New Fancy viewpoint. It gives a good alround view of the FoD. Its a good place to see Goshawks and other birds of prey. It also overlooks a number of plantations were you can spot Roe Deer and Wild Boar.

[redandshane]

Hey Thanks some good ideas from which I will collate a list of places and info to research and take with me

I am keen to see wild boar so the new viewpoint sounds interesting
where is it ? I will probably google it anyway but if you could post it it would be handy
Any tips on getting sightings of wild boar gratefully recieved as well
Cheers


I now note the capital letters on New Fancy lol

[Dutchess]

Wild boar. They don't cover their tracks (literally!) and are typically messy in their behaviour, so the tell-tale signs are obvious.

Wild Boar in Britain has all the info you need.

I am no stalker, but have seen boar in the East Sussex woodlands in broad daylight. It is certainly exciting to be close to these animals, although if I'm absolutely honest, I prefer to be in a car when I see them, rather than in the middle of the woods! I hear the FoD boar are still relatively unmolested, unlike our local population, so you (and the boar) may get up close and personal and not feel threatened. I probably do not need to say this, (but will anyway ) please be aware - it's very close to rutting season for the males.

Take care - and take a camera!

D.