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Coverham Inclosure

Wood, Forest in Gloucestershire Forest of Dean

England

Coverham Inclosure

Forest path Looking eastwards into a stand of mature conifers.
Forest path Credit: Jonathan Billinger

Coverham Inclosure is a picturesque woodland located in Gloucestershire, England. Spread over an area of approximately 100 acres, it is a designated forest and is managed by the local authorities. The woodland is predominantly composed of a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem.

Coverham Inclosure boasts a rich biodiversity, with a wide variety of plant and animal species calling it their home. The forest floor is carpeted with a lush carpet of ferns, mosses, and wildflowers, providing a haven for small mammals and insects. The towering trees act as nesting sites for birds such as woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds.

Visitors to Coverham Inclosure can enjoy a range of activities amidst the tranquility of nature. There are numerous walking trails that meander through the forest, allowing visitors to explore its hidden corners and discover its natural wonders. Cyclists can also enjoy designated paths that wind through the woodland, providing a scenic route for a leisurely ride.

The forest is well-equipped with amenities to ensure a pleasant visit for all. There are picnic areas where visitors can relax and enjoy a meal surrounded by nature. Additionally, there are well-maintained restroom facilities and ample parking spaces available.

Coverham Inclosure is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, families, and locals seeking solace in the beauty of the natural world. Its serene atmosphere, coupled with its diverse ecosystem, make it a must-visit location for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the wonders of Gloucestershire's woodlands.

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Coverham Inclosure Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.808122/-2.6028068 or Grid Reference SO5812. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Forest path Looking eastwards into a stand of mature conifers.
Forest path
Looking eastwards into a stand of mature conifers.
Speech House Road The bus stop here is convenient for Hopwell Colliery, now a museum dedicated to the Forest of Dean's once important industry. Unfortunately no timetable information is displayed.
Speech House Road
The bus stop here is convenient for Hopwell Colliery, now a museum dedicated to the Forest of Dean's once important industry. Unfortunately no timetable information is displayed.
Hopewell Colliery This is a free mine that is still worked in the winter. In the summer one of the old worked out sections is used as a museum. The narrow gauge line goes down the drift into the mine and the haulage rope is seen. The device on the right allows coal to be tipped out of the tubs/drams. This is a typical small scale mine as found in the forest. The seam is about 30 " thick and worked longwall with undercutting by a pneumatic pick. The two miners have to work on their backs or sides. On the plus side, the mines in the Forest of Dean are free of methane (firedamp) but carbon dioxide (choke damp) is a real danger.
Hopewell Colliery
This is a free mine that is still worked in the winter. In the summer one of the old worked out sections is used as a museum. The narrow gauge line goes down the drift into the mine and the haulage rope is seen. The device on the right allows coal to be tipped out of the tubs/drams. This is a typical small scale mine as found in the forest. The seam is about 30 " thick and worked longwall with undercutting by a pneumatic pick. The two miners have to work on their backs or sides. On the plus side, the mines in the Forest of Dean are free of methane (firedamp) but carbon dioxide (choke damp) is a real danger.
Hopewell colliery - pump Preserved in an open fronted shelter is this Worthington-Simpson horizontal duplex non-rotative pump. Although built to run on steam it would also run on compressed air. It is believed to have originated locally but our guide at the mine did not know its provenance. It appears to be portable and could well have been used underground on compressed air. Hopewell Colliery is a working free mine in the winter and a colliery museum with an underground trip in the summer.
Hopewell colliery - pump
Preserved in an open fronted shelter is this Worthington-Simpson horizontal duplex non-rotative pump. Although built to run on steam it would also run on compressed air. It is believed to have originated locally but our guide at the mine did not know its provenance. It appears to be portable and could well have been used underground on compressed air. Hopewell Colliery is a working free mine in the winter and a colliery museum with an underground trip in the summer.
Hopewell Colliery - re-erected head gear This is not a feature of this working free mine but rather a visible indicator for the colliery museum that operates in the summer months. I am not sure if this is a complete relica or whether some of the timbers are from an original head gear.
Hopewell Colliery - re-erected head gear
This is not a feature of this working free mine but rather a visible indicator for the colliery museum that operates in the summer months. I am not sure if this is a complete relica or whether some of the timbers are from an original head gear.
Hopewell Colliery - looking towards the working mine This is a working free mine where two free miners hew coal in the winter. In the summer a disused part of the workings is used as a museum. The narrow gauge track leads down the drift mine and drams of coal are hauled out by the wire rope. A guide roller is seen between the rails in the foreground. In the centre background towards the top of the picture you can see a vertical post carrying a pulley and a thin wire rope. This is the signalling system to the pit top and is mechanical (the wire is just given a good tug to signal via a bell). It is hard to believe that this is the 21st century. Free mining is an ancient tradition reputed to date to a royal charter from Edward 1. To be a free miner a person must have been born in and live in the Hundred of St Briavels, be at least 21 and have worked underground in a mine in the forest for at least one year and a day. Although traditionally a male preserve there is one registered female free miner, a decision that was not without controversy.
Hopewell Colliery - looking towards the working mine
This is a working free mine where two free miners hew coal in the winter. In the summer a disused part of the workings is used as a museum. The narrow gauge track leads down the drift mine and drams of coal are hauled out by the wire rope. A guide roller is seen between the rails in the foreground. In the centre background towards the top of the picture you can see a vertical post carrying a pulley and a thin wire rope. This is the signalling system to the pit top and is mechanical (the wire is just given a good tug to signal via a bell). It is hard to believe that this is the 21st century. Free mining is an ancient tradition reputed to date to a royal charter from Edward 1. To be a free miner a person must have been born in and live in the Hundred of St Briavels, be at least 21 and have worked underground in a mine in the forest for at least one year and a day. Although traditionally a male preserve there is one registered female free miner, a decision that was not without controversy.
Hopewell Colliery - museum entrance Hopewell is a working free mine in the winter but in the summer it operates as a museum. Visitors are taken down this steep drift to a largely worked out coal face. This shows the seam that is about 30" deep and was worked to the rise by a miner lying on his side or back and undercutting with a pick. It was worked long wall rather than pillar and stall. We exited the mine via a drainage level (actually on a slight decline rather than level). The drainage level also contained a ventilation furnace that would only have been used when the temperatures inside and outside were such as to slow or prevent natural convection. The mine is free of firedamp (methane) because the coal outcrops and that allows the lighter than air methane to vent. This trip is recommended as opportunities for underground visits are pretty rare now.
Hopewell Colliery - museum entrance
Hopewell is a working free mine in the winter but in the summer it operates as a museum. Visitors are taken down this steep drift to a largely worked out coal face. This shows the seam that is about 30" deep and was worked to the rise by a miner lying on his side or back and undercutting with a pick. It was worked long wall rather than pillar and stall. We exited the mine via a drainage level (actually on a slight decline rather than level). The drainage level also contained a ventilation furnace that would only have been used when the temperatures inside and outside were such as to slow or prevent natural convection. The mine is free of firedamp (methane) because the coal outcrops and that allows the lighter than air methane to vent. This trip is recommended as opportunities for underground visits are pretty rare now.
A pithead mine wheel A pithead mine wheel at Hopewell Colliery Museum.
A pithead mine wheel
A pithead mine wheel at Hopewell Colliery Museum.
Hopewell Colliery Museum In the winter Hopewell Colliery is a working mine, in the summer it is a tourist attraction offering underground tours of the mine.
Hopewell Colliery Museum
In the winter Hopewell Colliery is a working mine, in the summer it is a tourist attraction offering underground tours of the mine.
Track in the Forest of Dean Not too many straight lines.
Track in the Forest of Dean
Not too many straight lines.
Buddleia in the Forest And not a butterfly in sight.
Buddleia in the Forest
And not a butterfly in sight.
Track through forestry at Lodge Hill Track through forestry at Lodge Hill in the Forest of Dean.
Track through forestry at Lodge Hill
Track through forestry at Lodge Hill in the Forest of Dean.
Track through forest at Lodge Hill Track through forest at Lodge Hill in the forest of Dean.
Track through forest at Lodge Hill
Track through forest at Lodge Hill in the forest of Dean.
Fungi on a tree trunk Fungi on a fallen tree trunk at Howlers Hill in the Forest of Dean.
Fungi on a tree trunk
Fungi on a fallen tree trunk at Howlers Hill in the Forest of Dean.
Hopewell Colliery name sign Alongside the B4226 Speech House Road in the Forest of Dean, between Coleford and Cinderford. The entrance to a mining museum is ahead. Underground tours of the mine are available from early April till the end of September.
Hopewell Colliery name sign
Alongside the B4226 Speech House Road in the Forest of Dean, between Coleford and Cinderford. The entrance to a mining museum is ahead. Underground tours of the mine are available from early April till the end of September.
Car park entrance, Hopewell Colliery Museum From the B4226 Speech House Road in the Forest of Dean, between Coleford and Cinderford.
Car park entrance, Hopewell Colliery Museum
From the B4226 Speech House Road in the Forest of Dean, between Coleford and Cinderford.
Steep side road into the Forest of Dean From the B4226 Speech House Road, opposite the entrance <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4202616" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4202616">Link</a> to Hopewell Colliery Museum.
Steep side road into the Forest of Dean
From the B4226 Speech House Road, opposite the entrance Link to Hopewell Colliery Museum.
West towards Broadwell from Hopewell Colliery Museum The B4226 Speech House Road in the Forest of Dean viewed from near the museum entrance. <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4202616" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4202616">Link</a>
West towards Broadwell from Hopewell Colliery Museum
The B4226 Speech House Road in the Forest of Dean viewed from near the museum entrance. Link
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Coverham Inclosure is located at Grid Ref: SO5812 (Lat: 51.808122, Lng: -2.6028068)

Administrative County: Gloucestershire

District: Forest of Dean

Police Authority: Gloucestershire

What 3 Words

///pets.prettiest.frost. Near Coleford, Gloucestershire

Nearby Locations

Hooper's Pool Ninewells Coverham Inclosure

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.808122,-2.6028068
High Beeches
Is In: Gloucestershire, England, UK
Place: locality
Source: NPE
Lat/Long: 51.8107236/-2.5984182
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Royal Forest of Dean College
Bench: no
Bin: no
Lit: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 1600GL2015
Naptan Bearing: SW
Naptan CommonName: Royal Forest of Dean College
Naptan Indicator: Opp
Naptan NaptanCode: gloadwjd
Naptan Street: Beech Ave A4136
Naptan Verified: no
Shelter: no
Source: naptan_import
Tactile Paving: no
Lat/Long: 51.8089651/-2.6071756
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Royal Forest of Dean College
Naptan AtcoCode: 1600GL2016
Naptan Bearing: NE
Naptan CommonName: Royal Forest of Dean College
Naptan NaptanCode: gloadwjm
Naptan Street: Beech Ave A4136
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.809281/-2.6069332
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Lakers Sch & Rfod Coll Grounds
Naptan AtcoCode: 1600GL2020
Naptan Bearing: NE
Naptan CommonName: Lakers Sch & Rfod Coll Grounds
Naptan NaptanCode: gloadwga
Naptan Street: Off Beech Ave A4136
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.809083/-2.6087147
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Woodgate Rd
Naptan AtcoCode: 1600GL9143
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: Woodgate Rd
Naptan NaptanCode: gloadwag
Naptan Street: Woodgate Rd
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.8073604/-2.6097213
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Woodgate Rd
Naptan AtcoCode: 1600GL9144
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: Woodgate Rd
Naptan NaptanCode: gloadtwt
Naptan Street: Woodgate Rd
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.8073149/-2.6098222
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Forest Rd
Naptan AtcoCode: 1600GLF503
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: Forest Rd
Naptan NaptanCode: gloadwpg
Naptan Street: Woodgate Rd
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.8054259/-2.6030089
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Forest Rd
Naptan AtcoCode: 1600GLF504
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: Forest Rd
Naptan Indicator: Opp
Naptan NaptanCode: gloadwpd
Naptan Street: Woodgate Rd
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.8053985/-2.6030956
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Mile End
Place: village
Wikidata: Q13130151
Lat/Long: 51.8043644/-2.6001801
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Shop: car_repair
Lat/Long: 51.8045926/-2.5995036
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Crossing
Crossing: traffic_signals
Crossing Ref: toucan
Lat/Long: 51.8083182/-2.6087073
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Information: map
Map Type: yes
Operator: Parkrun
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 51.8092419/-2.6065695
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Forest of Dean parkrun
Club: sport
Contact Email: forestofdean@parkrun.com
Contact Website: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/forestofdean/
Opening Hours: Sa 08:45-10:30
Operator: parkrun
Operator Wikidata: Q7138632
Sport: running
Lat/Long: 51.8088286/-2.6054766
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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