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Walks around the Dean Forest Railway
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Parkend
This delightful and typical Forest village is well worth spending some time to walk around, perhaps visiting one of the real ale pubs for some modest refreshment! (Tea, coffee, cold drinks and snacks are usually available from the booking office at Parkend station).
A pleasant short circular walk takes you over the railway station footbridge up to the church (also worth a visit) and into the Forest. For a longer walk, pass the Fountain pub and on to the RSPB Nagshead Nature Reserve. A booklet, Parkend Village Walk, details the historical and other interesting points on the walk in the village and its surrounds, and includes a very useful map and photographs. This can be purchased from Norchard shop or Parkend booking office.
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At Lydney Junction
For the adventurous, there is an almost 3 mile round trip walk to the remains of Lydney Harbour, with splendid views of the upper Severn Estuary and the Severn Bridges downstream.
From Lydney Junction station turn left down the road toward the mainline station. Cross the mainline and take the side road you can see almost straight ahead (it bears right off the main road which continues through the industrial estate), cross a small bridge and then straight on through a small gate to follow the canal-side footpath. The canal will be to your left.
It is possible to reach the Harbour by following the main road through the industrial estate but we do not recommend it as it does not have a pavement and is used by industrial traffic.
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At St Mary's Halt
Exit the platform to the right, turn left to walk back along the path behind the platform, under the rail footbridge, and either follow the path along the canal back towards town, or head down towards the lake, or cross over the footbridge to see the parish church.
The bridge is currently closed for repairs but you can get to the church via the footpath from St Mary’s Halt to the level crossing on Lydney Bypass.
Click the 'LYDNEY & ST.MARY'S MAP' below for a bigger version:
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At Norchard
Riverside Stroll
Opposite the old mine water outfall, take the steps down to the river from our Norchard car park. Follow the footpath to the left along the riverside. It is sometimes possible to see some interesting and unusual birds - such as dippers and grey wagtails - on this stretch of the river.
Please take great care when near water, especially with young children.
Forest Walk
For a long walk in the forest, take the exit from the main site by the ticket office and walk toward the road. On the left, before the road, there are cottages, which you can walk in front of, following the fingerpost sign on the road.
After passing the cottages, the path crosses the river and follows our Parkend railway line for some distance, turning up across the track into the woods at the second crossing.
Click the 'NORCHARD MAP' below for a bigger version:
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At Lydney Town
Alight at Lydney Town to take a wander through town. The main shops and public houses are right down the hill at the main road. Bathurst Park for the playground are left up the hill.
For the park, take the road on the left just past the Fire Station, and follow this along and round to the right where you will find the park on the left.
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