15/07/2012

  The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire sits between the Rivers Severn and Wye, it was a Royal Hunting Forest in time gone by, it is now managed by the Forestry Commission who provide many facilities to enable visitors to explore and enjoy the forest.

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Looking up the River Wye from one of the view points at Symonds Yat Rock.

There is a peregrine falcon's nest on the cliffs in the top photo, even with a 300mm lens it was just too far for a decent shot but you can just see the bird in the right hand photo.

Looking the other way, the river takes a long loop around the high ground to the left.

Looking down from the other side of Symonds Yat Rock with the River Wye, which has almost completed a full circle, dividing the village into East and West.

Another view of the village and river from a different vantage point, the Wye valley around here is well wooded as you can see, there are some good walks by the river on a disused railway line.

The two halves of Symonds Yat are linked by a hand worked pedestrian ferry which can be seen part way across in this photo.  There are boat trips on the river as well, the boat is tied up near the little ferry.

In to the forest proper, this grass has been rooted through by wild boar, there is now a sizeable population of them and signs are everywhere.  However they a shy animals and you are lucky to see any.

Two photos of typical forest scenes, the Forestry Commission provide plenty of pull ins in the forest where you can park to enjoy the view or head off for a walk.

This chestnut tree was heavily laden with nuts - however the undergrowth stopped you getting any.  More food for the boars when they fall!

Plenty of beech mast in this view.

Three more views of this patch of the forest.

Now to the coast at Lydney, this is the view up the River Severn at low tide.  On the right is Sharpness Docks at the entrance to the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.

Down river you can see both the motorway Severn Crossings, the original suspension bridge is nearest with the cable stayed Second Severn Crossing beyond, near the first bridge electricity cables cross the river between two tall pylons.

The seaward side of the lock gates at Lydney Harbour, again at low tide - the tide will need to come in a long way before boats can use this lock, the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel have the second largest tidal range in the world which poses problems such as this for boat users of all types.

A view over the lock leading to the entrance basin with the gates to the Severn beyond it.

Just by the lock gates there is a pair of flood gates to guard against exceptionally high tides - and rising sea levels due to global warming.

Boats in Lydney Harbour.

Visit our Travel Centre for rail, ferry and tunnel tickets.