Overview

Part four of our Forest of Dean trip DO ENJOY READING PARTS 1 DEAN HERITAGE CENTRE, PART 2 ARBORETUM AND CANNOP PONDS. PART 3 BEECHENHURST, and then this part 4. If you enjoy reading them, please tick “I like “ button as an encouragement for ourselves to keep writing these reviews. Thank you. New Fancy view. SAT NAV. GL15 4HS This was an old mining area at one time, now converted into a lovely woodland walking and cycling area, with a viewpoint overlooking forestry scenery The whole of the forest had many mines scattered around, Iron, Coal and stone quarries all with their own tales to tell. Iron was mined by the Romans, and in the 11th century mines were operated, and modern history tells us that by 1066 iron was forged at Gloucester, and the area remained as the chief iron producing district until 14th century. The deposits of cinders, in mounds, have been found, and in 1258, Cinderford was recorded as being in operation. Small foundries were formed, some to provide castings for the tramways being built here, 1st built by 1821 at Bradley. The first tram road was a short line built in 1795, and a second line was then built and extended to Lydbrook by 1803, but this track was lifted by 1815. Between 1809 and 1812 three horse drawn working cast iron tramroads were built, linking two rivers between Lydbrook and Lydney. As time progressed, various owners delayed the use of steam traction for many years, but eventually a broad gauge steam railway was opened in 1854. A branch line was built to New Fancy colliery in 1869. However, the carrying of passengers was of no real concern although a few miles did allow for this, and the line from Gloucester to Cinderford continued until 1958. The last working section, from PARKEND to Lydney, which was carrying ballast, continued until 1976, but that was then bought in 1983 as the Dean Forest railway, but all the rest of the railroads had almost finished by the end of the First World War. Today, almost all of the routes of the tramroads have been converted into public woodland paths, as seen at New Fancy. Coal was also mined in the forest, being dug out in the mid 1240,s, and the Crown received rents from 1250. By late 1464, the Crown regulated the mining industry. During 18th century industry increased, with mines such as, Long looked for, Pluck Penny, Small profit, just small collieries, then in 1824 a survey of the strata was published and 121 mines were listed. At New Fancy, they have put down a concrete map of the area of mines, listing them on the map, and you can see these mines on photos 3, 4 and 5. In 1946 the National Coal board operated the main mines, but by 1992 only a few mines and a few buildings survived, and now, only 7 mines remain. Our review with photos continue now following our forest trip, so put in SAT NAV directions, and after leaving Beechenhurst ( see review ) driving through some lovely forest scenery, and quite a few miles later we arrived at New Fancy site. (photo 1). We parked the car in one of two parking areas (photo 2), and headed for the Geomap that has been laid in concrete (photo 3) of all the mines in the forest, with a close up for you to see (photo 4), the round markers numbered for each mine (photo 5). The forest paths lead off into the forest (photo 6) but these are not suitable for disabled at all (photo 7) as far to hilly, but it is a beautiful area to see. Just by the car parks, on a little mound, stands the Roll of Honour monument (photo 8) Our final thoughts Following a very scenic drive we arrived at New Fancy, but not much there, so we just looked at the Geomap, and moved on, as it not accessible for wheelchairs. =================================================================== MALLARDS PIKE. SAT NAV. GL15 4HD A short drive away we come to Mallards Pike (photo 9) A PIKE is a hill with a peaked top, and this Pike is named after a toll road in the area, and the name Mallard is named after a mr Miller who lived in a toll keepers cottage until the early 1950’s. Mallards Pike is actually a beautiful lake surrounded by woodland, and now converted as a family park, with picnic areas, a Go Ape course with zip wires, Tarzan swings, lots of cycling trails, and for the younger children the Gruffalo orienteering course, where by using a simple map they can try to find 12 hidden markers in the woods. The whole area is a delightful walking experience with different trails, although disabled are rather limited in what we can do, but more than enough to keep us happy. Toilets are available, and during the summer a small cafe which can be very handy. It’s also an ideal place for your canine friends, they will love it here. Your wheelchairs and scooters have an accessible ride all around the lake (see photos 15 and 16. ) and no matter what time of the year you come here the scenery is a delight. Our photos now will help you enjoy your visit, and it’s only a short drive away from New Fancy before you arrive at Mallards Pike (photo 9). We drove round to park in one of two disabled bays, (photo 10) right opposite toilet block (photo 11). A disabled toilet is available and pulling a face we thought it a very basic toilet in need of attention. It does have a grab rail and you would get a wheelchair inside. The main path leads along to lakeside (photo 13) in a lovely setting (photo 14) and picnic tables are available. (photo 15). On the opposite bank, wheelchairs are able to cope to enjoy the delightful scenery. The cafe looks quite nice, (photo 17) but being closed for winter we could not see inside. Beyond the carpark there is a path that leads to the Go Ape adventure playground (photo 18) but it’s rather a long ride from the start (photo 19) through beautiful scenery, to get to the adventure playground, so we returned to the carpark. For younger children there is a small Gruffalo trail. (photo 20) Our final thoughts A beautiful place to go and see, and well worth going to see it, even though you have to pay a £2.00 charge, which is paid by cash only at a ticket machine. For a young person it’s a great place for them ================================================================== From here it’s a short ride through an area of woodland known as “The Golden Mile”, because of its late Autumn colours, to return you to the starting point again at Dean Heritage centre SAT NAV. GL14 2UB. And then your return home

Transport & Parking

A nice easy pleasant drive takes you to New Fancy, where two parking areas can be found, on compressed soil areas. At Mallards Pike, keep driving round bends to reach two disabled spots by toilet block, and then go and buy parking ticket for two pounds, with cash only, and pay machine.

Access

It’s a compressed soil area, with wide paths, and a lot can be seen, but at New Fancy it’s not really disabled friendly, as too hilly, but worth going to see for a quick visit. A short drive away you will arrive at Mallards Pike, a beauty spot, again with wide compressed soil parking area and paths. This site is a little more hilly than others, but you can cope. After paying £2.00 for parking ticket, a number of walks can be taken, your carer should manage quite well for you. Seating is available to enjoy views, but cafe will be closed over winter.

Toilets

There is a disabled toilet available, we were not impressed, and you have to go around to the side on a path to be able to enter it, as taking your wheelchair down the steps would be to bumpy. Ha ha. The toilet is basic, but it has grab rails. Not impressed though.

Staff

Photos