Beautiful secluded wooded valley

The tranquil wooded valley contains a 'lost landscape' with remains of an 18th- and 19th-century landscape park with a chain of five lakes. Park Mill Pond is the last of these lakes and features a man-made island that is now a heronry. Large carp can also be seen in the waters.

Secreted away in the surrounding woodland, you'll find an old Boat House, built in the early 19th century. It was restored in 1998 and bats now roost in the roof space, emerging at dusk to hunt over the lake. The wood also hides a disused quarry, which was in use until the early 1900s and provided stone for the Woodchester Estate.

The restoration of this varied landscape is an ongoing project. Waymarked trails (steep in places) lead through picturesque scenery, passing an unfinished Victorian mansion (not National Trust).

Useful information:

• Please follow social distancing measures#
• There are no toilet facilities available
• Parking - pay and display parking, £3. Accessible from Nympsfield road, 300 yards from junction with B4066. Last admission to car park one hour before closing
• Dogs - please keep dogs on a lead at all times
• Woodchester Mansion is closed (not NT).
• Woodchester Mansion cafe (not NT) is closed
• Swimming is not permitted in the lakes
• Cycling is not permitted
• There is no mobile phone signal throughout the site
• Paths can be steep and uneven so walking shoes or boots are recommended