A change of scene
O ne of the best times for seeing the Forest of Dean is in the autumn and this circle through Lydbrook gives you a chance to enjoy the changing colours and stride out on good paths. There are no stiles, so it is an ideal dog walk.
The circle follows old railway tracks and cycle routes and also the Wysis Way and calls in at Lydbrook and a good honest pub (weekends only, or by arrangement).
After the pub there is a steady climb out of the valley, steep in places, but otherwise the circle is flat or gently undulating.
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START
Go up through the parking area to the top.
On the right as you go is an open and undulating grassy area which is the site of a former coal mine.
Fork left at the cycleway post and come up to another post marked Speculation Trail 4.5km, 2.5 miles. Turn left on this path (don't go on to the wider track ahead).
1. SPECULATION TRAIL
You are now following the cycle track which shadows one of the old Forest rail lines. Continue on and pass the remains of the linesman's hut – a pile of brick rubble on the right – and then reach old Mirystock Bridge. Further on pass the sign for Mirystock Tunnel down on the right.
This 242-yard tunnel was on the Lydbrook branch of the Severn & Wye Railway and last saw a passenger train in 1929.
Swing left with the track and soon come to the main road.
2. MAIN ROAD
Cross with care and follow the cycle path on. All through here are remains of the former railway and mining. Curve round to the right and drop down and continue along the old line. Cross one or two bridges as you go and continue on all the way to the old railway sign for Upper Lydbrook. Immediately past this, turn left and left again on to another path. Keep to the left fork and continue down to the road in Lydbrook.
3. LYDBROOK
It is said to have the longest main street of any village in England – 1.5 miles. Lydbrook grew with the rise of industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. The first commercially successful blast furnace, dating from 1608, was in Lydbrook. By the 18th century it had become important for the production of tin plate.
There was also an iron industry and later coal mining. Lower Lydbrook near the River Wye made it important as a loading place for coal to be taken by barge to Hereford. The flat-bottomed barges were dragged originally by men – until the construction of a tow path.
This trade declined after the building of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal but the canal was soon overtaken by the railways. The community was served by two railway stations and a halt and had a famous 87 ft tall viaduct, sadly now demolished. Turn right along the pavement and after a few minutes reach the Jovial Colliers, a Forest pub open all day at weekends, and it will open for lunch in the week if there is a group booking.
Continue on and turn left up School Road (no through road). Continue straight on up, climbing, going past the primary school. Reach a house ahead, and bend right on the track where you get good views over the church.
Carry on to a crossing path and turn left. Follow it up to a junction and house and swing right to come up to the road. Turn left and continue the climb up hill. Go past a phone box and two 30mph signs, and then de-restriction signs.
4. SQUIRES LANE
Then turn sharp right up Squires Lane. Continue up and then along the side of the valley, passing cottages and with fine views across the forest. After several minutes reach a house, Oakview, and on the left opposite is a marker post. Turn left up the path – Lydbrook Spur Trail, although not marked as such at this point – climbing up into woodland.
5. WOODLAND
It finally levels out and you walk on the edge of woodland with open fields on the right. Eventually, reach a marker and turn right on the Lydbrook Spur. Climb some more and carry on until you join a track leading from a gate on the right. Maintain direction with open views on the right and woodland left.
Then turn left on the marked footpath through woodland. You soon find you are following a bank and beeches on the right. Keep straight on. The path is not always very clear. Begin to hear a road ahead.
Come out on to a lane. Turn left and reach the main road.
6. WYSIS WAY
Cross and take the Wysis Way opposite (slightly to the right).
This is 88km long going through the Forest of Dean, Severn Vale and Cotswolds and connecting Offa's Dyke Path and the Thames Path.
The next stretch of the Wysis Way which twists and turns through the forest, is not well marked, so follow the directions carefully.
Go straight on under beech trees until you reach a marker post. Turn right and follow this wide, green and well-used track down past firs. Reach a crossing track and drop down right to a much broader crossing track a few yards away.
Turn left and after a minute or two come to a T-junction with another track. As you can hear, you have again drawn closer to the road. Turn right and straight away bear right again down another path, marked as the Wysis Way. At the next junction turn right and you are now walking due South. Arrive at a T-junction and turn sharp left back on yourself.
7. STREAM
The track swings right over a stream and then continues back down the other side. In parts you can see that a leat has been built to channel the water. Go straight over the next junction following a grassy path. The stream is still over on the right but not very visible.
At a crossroads of paths go straight over and reach the main road. Cross and follow the small path opposite which goes ahead rising slightly and then bends right and joins the track at Speculation car park.
The Jovial Colliers, Lydbrook GL17 9PP. Tel: 01594 86006. Please call before setting out to confirm opening times.
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