We’re delighted to announce the launch of our new creative walk maps, designed to make getting out into nature more accessible, enjoyable and inspiring for everyone.
The new beautifully illustrated maps feature three carefully designed routes ideal for those who may find walking challenging, offering a unique and creative approach to exploring the Forest. Each route is intentionally short (around 1 mile), circular and easy to follow with benches marked and information on the area and things to see along the way including flora and fauna.
The three routes are at Linear Park, the Cyril Hart Arboretum and Lower Soudley Pond. At Linear Park a brand new path surface has recently been laid making it wheelchair accessible and even easier for those who find walking difficult.
On Sunday 16 March 2025 we held a launch and celebration at Soudley Village Hall. Sara Rickard introduced the project, its background and aims and spoke about how important this project was to her and her family and how passionate she was that everyone should be able to get out into nature. Accessible walking routes are in short supply in the Forest of Dean and this project has been the result of many years of research and planning. In addition to large copies of the maps on display, the illustrator Becky Embling’s original sketches were available to view as well as a history of the Canopy creative walk project.
Find out more at: https://canopynetwork.co.uk/maps/
Made possible thanks to funding from Forest of Dean District Council.
Canopy Creative Network 