Woodchester Park

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 the unfinished Victorian Woodchester Mansion (not National Trust).

Play Trail

With something for youngsters, follow the blue markers from the car park to our 3km play trail which has:

• bridges and beams 
• a see-saw and swings
• musical logs and hopscotch
• a zip wire and climbing logs