
Cyril Hart Arboretum
A serene arboretum in the Forest of Dean, offering diverse trees, peaceful walks, and family-friendly accessibility.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Stunning fall colors

Cyril Hart Arboretum
Best Time
Stunning fall colors

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene arboretum in the Forest of Dean, offering diverse trees, peaceful walks, and family-friendly accessibility.
"Absolutely beautiful arboretum and walks to Speech House Lake, fanatic roads, well marked, stunning woods and so peaceful at the lake."

🚶♀️ Pushchair & Dog Friendly
Paths are pushchair-friendly and fenced, great for kids. Dogs are welcome on leads. :dog:
🍂 Autumnal Beauty
Visit in autumn for breathtaking fall colors; the trees look stunning. :fallen_leaf:

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Ancient Oak Woodland
Forest of Dean
Explore England's largest oak woodland, a vast, ancient forest offering a true escape into nature.

Sequoia Grove
Near Coleford
Discover a surprising grove of magnificent Sequoia trees, a unique sight in this arboretum.

Speech House Lake
Forest trails
Take a longer walk from the arboretum to the charming and peaceful Speech House Lake.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Seasons
Accessibility & Family Fun
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Pushchair & Dog Friendly
Paths are pushchair-friendly and fenced, great for kids. Dogs are welcome on leads. :dog:
🍂 Autumnal Beauty
Visit in autumn for breathtaking fall colors; the trees look stunning. :fallen_leaf:
🌳 Explore Beyond
Extend your visit with a longer walk to the peaceful Speech House Lake. :lake:
☕️ Pack a Cuppa
Enjoy a warm drink and a snack amidst nature, a common practice for visitors. :tea:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Pushchair & Dog Friendly
Paths are pushchair-friendly and fenced, great for kids. Dogs are welcome on leads. :dog:
🍂 Autumnal Beauty
Visit in autumn for breathtaking fall colors; the trees look stunning. :fallen_leaf:
🌳 Explore Beyond
Extend your visit with a longer walk to the peaceful Speech House Lake. :lake:
☕️ Pack a Cuppa
Enjoy a warm drink and a snack amidst nature, a common practice for visitors. :tea:
🆓 Free Parking
Benefit from free car parking, making it an accessible and budget-friendly outing. :car:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Cyril Hart Arboretum for its beauty, tranquility, and accessibility. It's highlighted as a perfect spot for family outings, dog walks, and peaceful strolls, with free parking adding to its appeal. Some mention that paths can get muddy after rain, but this is a minor point against the overall positive experience.
"Such a beautiful place for a walk! I like to bring my little ones here so they can run around (plus it's pushchair friendly), and it's fenced off so I don't need to worry about them running into the road or too deep into the woods. Dogs are (meant to be) kept on leads, so less chance of them jumping up at us."
Siona Barker
"Absolutely beautiful arboretum and walks to Speech House Lake, fanatic roads, well marked, stunning woods and so peaceful at the lake.
Free car parking too
Dog friendly"
Nick Howells
"A superb location for a short stroll or take a longer walk through the forest to the charming Speech House Lake. Plenty of seating around the arboretum to take the weight off and enjoy the surroundings. Many trees are labelled and are interesting to study. A great place to visit for an afternoon outing."
John Christie
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Cyril Hart Arboretum is located in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. It's accessible by car, with free parking available. It's roughly 2 hours 10 minutes driving from London Heathrow.
While specific public transport routes aren't detailed, the Forest of Dean is generally reachable by bus services. Check local bus timetables for routes serving Coleford or nearby areas.
The arboretum is situated near Coleford in the Wye Valley. Use a GPS or mapping service with 'Cyril Hart Arboretum' as your destination.
Yes, there are two good car parks that provide easy access to the arboretum and direct links to forest trails.
The arboretum is well-marked and provides direct access to forest trails, making it straightforward to locate once you arrive in the area.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Cyril Hart Arboretum is free to enter, and there is also free car parking available, making it a great budget-friendly option.
The arboretum is generally open during daylight hours, as it's an outdoor natural space. Specific hours are not usually listed, but it's accessible for day visits.
No booking is required for general entry to Cyril Hart Arboretum. However, for specific organized walks like the 'Nurture in Nature' walks, booking might be necessary.
Yes, the arboretum is a popular spot for group walks and nature activities, such as the 'Nurture in Nature' walks which welcome parents, babies, and dogs.
The main restriction is that dogs should be kept on leads to ensure the safety and comfort of all visitors, especially families with young children.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can enjoy leisurely strolls, explore diverse tree species, discover a Sequoia grove, and take longer walks to Speech House Lake. It's also ideal for children to run around in a safe, fenced area.
Absolutely! It's fenced off, pushchair-friendly, and offers plenty of space for kids to explore safely. Many organized walks cater specifically to families.
Yes, dogs are welcome at Cyril Hart Arboretum, but they must be kept on leads. It's a popular spot for dog walkers.
The arboretum is described as pushchair-friendly, suggesting that many of the main paths are relatively smooth and accessible for strollers and potentially wheelchairs.
You can see a variety of trees, including ancient oaks in the wider Forest of Dean and a notable grove of Sequoia trees within the arboretum itself.
📸 📸 Photography
The arboretum offers beautiful scenery year-round, with stunning autumnal colors being a particular highlight. The Sequoia grove and the peaceful Speech House Lake also make for great photo opportunities.
Yes, with its diverse trees, potential for wildlife sightings, and seasonal beauty, it's an excellent location for nature photographers.
Early mornings or late afternoons often provide softer light, ideal for photography. Autumn mornings offer particularly vibrant colors.
There are no specific regulations mentioned regarding drones at Cyril Hart Arboretum. However, it's always advisable to check local by-laws or Forestry England guidelines before flying a drone in forest areas.
Look for the impressive Sequoia trees, the changing colors of the leaves in autumn, and the tranquil atmosphere around Speech House Lake.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Pack snacks and drinks, as many visitors enjoy a relaxed break amidst the trees. The arboretum is also a perfect spot for a picnic, allowing you to extend your visit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
🐶 Dog Owners
🚶♀️ Nature Walkers & Hikers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Forest of Dean
Beyond the arboretum itself, the Forest of Dean provides numerous opportunities for exploration. Visitors can embark on longer hikes, discover hidden lakes like Speech House Lake, and explore various walking trails, some of which are specifically designed for scenic beauty or historical interest. The area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a chance to reconnect with the natural world and experience the tranquility of a vast, ancient forest.
For those seeking unique experiences within the Forest of Dean, nearby attractions like Puzzlewood offer a more fantastical, enchanted forest setting, often used as a filming location for fantasy movies and TV shows. This proximity means that a visit to Cyril Hart Arboretum can easily be combined with exploring other captivating natural and imaginative landscapes within the wider forest area.
Family-Friendly Adventures at Cyril Hart Arboretum
The 'Nurture in Nature' walks, often held on Wednesday mornings, are a prime example of family-oriented activities available. These free walks are designed to be inclusive, welcoming parents, babies, toddlers, and even grandparents, often accompanied by dogs. These sessions encourage children to engage with nature through activities like searching for insects, playing in the mud, and discovering local flora, fostering a love for the outdoors from a young age. The emphasis is on a relaxed, community-focused experience, often concluding with a shared cup of tea, making it a social as well as an environmental outing.
Beyond organized walks, the arboretum itself offers ample space for unstructured play and exploration. Families can enjoy a leisurely stroll, identify different tree species, and perhaps even pack a picnic to enjoy amidst the natural beauty. The presence of labeled trees can also add an educational element to the visit, turning a simple walk into a learning opportunity for curious young minds. The combination of safety, accessibility, and engaging natural features makes Cyril Hart Arboretum a highly recommended spot for a family day out.




Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit