Cannop Bridge Marsh

Cannop Bridge Marsh nature reserve

Cannop Bridge Marsh nature reserve (c) Nathan Millar

Cannop Bridge Marsh

One of the remaining marshlands in the Forest of Dean, insects like dragonflies and damselflies thrive in these wet woodlands, attracting many birds including nuthatches, treecreepers, woodpeckers and reed buntings.

Location

Speech House Road, two miles east of Coleford
Cannop
The nearest postcode is GL16 7EQ
A static map of Cannop Bridge Marsh

Know before you go

Size
9 hectares
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Parking information

Parking information can be found at the bottom of this page
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Grazing animals

No
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Access

Visitors are encouraged to avoid the wetter parts of the site and follow the many suitable tracks through the rest of the area

Dogs

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When to visit

Opening times

Open access throughout the year

Best time to visit

Throughout the year

About the reserve

Cannop Bridge Marsh has multiple meandering streams. This nature reserve has a large population of club-rush, a shallow water-loving plant which forms dense stands, along with bullrushes, great willowherb and common reed. Alder and birch trees stand on drier areas.

Common spotted-orchids, marsh pennywort, valerian, skullcap and creeping jenny are found here too. These combine to attract a wide variety
of butterflies, including silver-washed fritillary, dragonflies and damselflies. Birdlife includes reed warblers, moorhens, and reed buntings in the marsh.

Species such as wood warblers, treecreepers and redstarts can be spotted in the woodland.

Contact us

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

Parking information

Forestry England’s Cannop Ponds car park is a good place to park. Postcode is GL15 4JS. Please note that the car park
is pay and display.

There is also free parking in the layby off the B4226, but this involves a longer walk. Visitors are advised to avoid the wetter
parts of the reserve and follow the informal trail through the area.