This has been another striking autumn in the Forest of Dean, full of vibrant colour and natural beauty. The changing leaves painted the ancient woodlands hues of gold, amber and crimson, creating an enchanting backdrop for our creative walks which offer an opportunity to experience this seasonal magic while nurturing creative spirit.
Over the autumn we ran creative walks at Parkend, Coalway, Soudley Ponds and Mallards Pike. Designed and guided by our Canopy volunteer leaders, these unique autumn walks aim to foster connection, spark creativity and support people in getting out into nature. The focus isn’t on covering vast distances or the destination but rather on the journey itself. Participants are encouraged to slow down, observe and engage deeply with their surroundings. Through this process of looking, listening and responding, the walks offer an immersive experience inspiring creativity to flow.
The routes are carefully chosen to highlight the best of the Forest of Dean’s vast natural beauty and each walk is relatively short and accessible. Whether wandering through a tunnel of fiery beeches, pausing to listen to the rustle of leaves underfoot, or stopping to sketch the interplay of light and shadow on bark, every moment becomes an opportunity to connect with nature.
Group discussions and moments of silence are interspersed throughout the journey, creating a space where participants can reflect and share. The walks serve as an endless source of creative inspiration, sparking new ideas for art, writing or simply a fresh perspective on life.
As the seasons shift towards winter, the memories of these walks remain vivid. They are a reminder of the power of nature to ground us, inspire us and bring us together. Don’t let the changing season stop you from getting out. Grab your boots, a warm scarf and a sense of curiosity! The Forest of Dean is ready to welcome you.
As we come to the end of 2024 we’re also looking forwards, to our next creative walks in January and February, plans for artist talks in the spring and our next arts festival in Cinderford in May (more to come on that!). Do remember to follow us on Eventbrite, sign up to our newsletter, follow us on Facebook and Instagram to hear about all of our events and updates first.
With thanks as always to all of our followers and supporters, artists and volunteers without whom we wouldn’t be here.
Canopy Creative Network 