Coleford Road, Parkend, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 4LA
RSPB Nagshead
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
7.4
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.4Mature oak woodland at the heart of the Forest of Dean, alive with birds through the year: spring brings Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts and the Wood Warbler’s distinctive call, while bluebells carpet the woods.
Nagshead pairs mature oak woodland with a notably rich bird story and two waymarked circuits, so a short visit can become a proper woodland outing. Its seasonal highlights are specific and rewarding: spring bluebells and nesting birds, summer woodpeckers and autumn Nuthatches.
Peaceful · Wild · Seasonal
Find your way
Open mapColeford Road, Parkend, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 4LA
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The experience
Choose the one-mile loop for a shorter woodland visit or the 2.25-mile loop for a longer circuit. Look and listen for seasonal woodland birds and spring bluebells. Campbell Hide is closed and must not be approached.
Things to do
Walk the shorter circular trail
Follow the one-mile (1.5 km) waymarked nature trail from the visitor centre. The route includes steep slopes and unsurfaced sections that may be uneven or soft.
Check before visiting
Take the longer woodland loop
Follow the 2.25-mile (3.5 km) circular trail from the visitor centre. The RSPB notes steep slopes, some narrow sections and unsurfaced ground.
Check before visiting
Look and listen for woodland birds
In May and June, look for Pied Flycatchers near nest boxes and listen for the Wood Warbler’s distinctive spinning-coin call. The reserve also notes Redstarts, woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Crossbills, Goshawks and Treecreepers across the seasons.
See the spring bluebells
Look for carpets of bluebells in the woodland during spring.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow 1–2 hours; exact walking time not stated by the RSPB.
Quick oakwood loop
- 01
Start at the visitor centre.
- 02
Follow the shorter, one-mile (1.5 km) waymarked circular trail.
- 03
Pause to watch and listen for woodland birds; in spring, look for bluebells and Pied Flycatchers.
- 04
Return to the visitor centre.
Half day · Check before visiting; the RSPB source does not give a duration.
The longer Nagshead circuit
- 01
Start at the visitor centre and follow the longer 2.25-mile (3.5 km) waymarked circular trail.
- 02
Take time to watch the canopy and listen for seasonal birdsong.
- 03
In May and June, look for Pied Flycatchers and listen for Wood Warblers; adjust expectations to the season.
- 04
Return to the visitor centre. Expect steep slopes, unsurfaced ground and some narrow sections.
Hidden details
The Wood Warbler’s call — Listen for the distinctive spinning-coin call of the Wood Warbler, which the RSPB says rings out in spring; the birds may also be seen in spring and summer.
Pied Flycatchers at the nest boxes — During May and June, watch for Pied Flycatchers moving between branches and the nest boxes where they readily breed, according to the RSPB.
When to go
April · May · June · July · September · October · November · December · January · February · Check before visiting; no preferred time of day is specified in the supplied sources.
Spring offers bluebells, Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts and Wood Warbler activity. The RSPB also highlights woodpeckers in summer, Nuthatches in autumn, and Goshawks and Treecreepers in winter.
The trails are unsurfaced and may be uneven or soft; the longer loop includes steep slopes and narrow sections. Check current conditions before visiting.
The route
- stiles
- Not stated; trails have swing and kissing gates.
- surface
- Unsurfaced; may be uneven and soft in places
- distance
- 1 mile (1.5 km) or 2.25 miles (3.5 km), as two separate circular trails
- difficulty
- Steep slopes; longer loop has narrow sections. Unsurfaced routes may be uneven or soft.
- waymarking
- Waymarked nature trails
- route shape
- Two circular waymarked trails from the visitor centre
- start point
- Visitor centre
- parking start
- 20 unmarked bays on rolled stone with some loose surface material; five additional bays at Russell’s Enclosure. Check before visiting.
- shorter alternative
- Choose the one-mile (1.5 km) circular trail instead of the 2.25-mile (3.5 km) loop.
- Mature oak woodland
- Seasonal woodland birds, including Pied Flycatchers and Wood Warblers
- Spring bluebells
What to look for
- 01
In May and June, watch for Pied Flycatchers moving between branches and nest boxes. Listen for the Wood Warbler’s spinning-coin call, and look for bluebells in spring, Nuthatches in autumn, and Goshawks and Treecreepers in winter. Campbell Hide is closed and unsafe
- 02
do not approach it.
Best time to go
Spring to early summer for bluebells and breeding woodland birds; autumn and winter bring different birdwatching interest.
Spring, especially May and June, for Pied Flycatchers, Wood Warblers and bluebells. The RSPB also highlights Nuthatches in autumn and Goshawks and Treecreepers in winter.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Families
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
RSPB reserve in the Forest of Dean, with two waymarked circular trails starting at the visitor centre. Campbell Hide is closed and unsafe; do not approach or use it. Check current visitor information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
20 unmarked spaces on a rolled-stone surface, with some loose material; five additional spaces at Russell’s Enclosure. Drop-off in front of the visitor centre is available if required. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Visitor-centre toilets are available during stated open hours; the RSPB page gives differing hours in its supplied information, so check before visiting. Outside those hours, it identifies accessible toilets at Parkend station.
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Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Keep dogs on a short lead at all times, as stated in the RSPB reserve information.
Accessibility
The car park and entrance are listed as wheelchair accessible, and wheelchair-accessible seating and a toilet are listed in the source row. The nature trails are unsurfaced, may be uneven or soft, include steep slopes, and have swing and kissing gates; contact the reserve for detailed access information.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Pond
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around RSPB Nagshead
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
