Town centre car park, Newent – Also accessible from St Mary’s Church

Newent Lake is the jewel of the town. Originally part of the Newent Court estate after being constructed by medieval monks for fish ponds, this large picturesque lake lay abandoned for several decades. Set in the beautiful surroundings of a park with many trees and shrubs the lake is one of the areas most attractive leisure spots and is a haven for wildlife.

Completely re-landscaped in 1998, with walks, a new fountain and restocked with fish, the lake now forms the centrepiece of the town. Picnic tables are available, plus play areas for the children. The stage area in front of the balustrade is used regularly for community events.

At the far end of the lake part of the former Herefordshire and Gloucestershire canal can be seen.

Clifford’s Mesne, Newent

This beautiful hill is located just 2 miles south of Newent by the village of Clifford’s Mesne (Meen). It boasts a magnificent wood on its peak of approximately 100 trees, planted for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, which can be clearly seen from over 50 miles away.

The views from the hill (971ft) are outstanding and on a clear day it is possible to see between 7 to 12 counties from the peak including stretches of the River Severn, Malvern Hills and the Welsh mountains. 

 Bradfords Lane, Newent

This inspired project to populate one of Newent’s largest open spaces with 1000 new trees was undertaken by the town’s Millennium Trust. There is a dedicated car park on the corner of Bradfords Lane for the Arboretum, however spaces are limited.Disabled access for scooter users is available using a RADAR key. 

A gravel path now links Bradfords Lane car park with Watery Lane and provides year-round access for all. 
The Watery Lane entrance is almost opposite the Community School.
Parking is possible along Watery Lane but please park carefully and with respect for local residents and the school, which needs access for buses during weekdays. 

Enter at the main entrance in Bradfords Lane, or through the gate on Watery Lane. GL18 1QE

The site has an open aspect and the routes are easily followed from both entrances. There are benches and it is an ideal spot for a picnic.

The summer months are the best time to see the huge variety of young trees in full splendour.
Take a picnic and enjoy the peace. 

Nr Clifford’s Mesne, Newent (follow the brown tourist signs from Newent)

The world famous International Centre for Birds of Prey is located on the outskirts of Newent and features over 350 birds of prey including Hawks, Vultures, Sea Eagles, Kites and Buzzards. Ring or see website for details of flying demonstrations. Run by Jemima Parry-Jones MBE.

Beautiful gardens and and a large mown field offer an ideal location to enjoy picnics and refreshments from the on site coffee shop and pavilion. Includes play area, activity room and woodland walks with special events. 

Open daily from 1st Feb to 30th Nov.

Tel: 01531 820286

Market House, Broad Street, Newent

Local history display in the fully restored Market House dating from 1668. Built as a butter market, but later expanded to include livestock, it is located at the town’s original crossroads. The under-beams carry the signature of the Dutch builder, a ball and flute. It has been used as a fire station manned by volunteers, at which point sides and doors were added. It is now used for Council, Onion Fayre and other organisations’ meetings.

See the development of Newent as a market town: how events and industry have shaped the town for 3000 years, including how the town has played an important part in trade, through the canals, railways and roads linking Gloucestershire with the West of the country. 

Open Sunday and Saturday afternoons throughout the summer and by special arrangement.   

Tel: 01531 820638 for details

 Around the market square are a number of buildings of note. Toad Hall (adjacent to Wyedean Whole Foods), was a very popular pub for those visiting the market.  Harwood House was, in history, ‘upgraded’ by rendering over in plaster, however, a short time later the render was removed to expose the original oak frame again, despite objections from the local planning authority!

The town centre featured many half-timbered buildings similar to the one across Church Street, now occupied by Gooch Sports. The large brick building opposite was originally identical in its construction, however it was later ‘modernised’ by cladding it in brick, hence the thicker walls on the ground floor.

Probably the Market Square’s most famous resident was pioneering 1960s record producer, Joe Meek, born in the townhouse, just beyond the Market House. Recognised as the pioneering father of studio sound technology; with reverb, echo and compression being his original ideas, he led a troubled life, which ended in murder and suicide in London. His recordings of Telstar, Have I the Right and Johnny, Remember Me, (part of a 1000 song catalogue), sold over 20 Million copies between them. See Joe Meek page under ‘Local information’

 Church Street, Newent

Following the London 2012 Olympics, Royal Mail commemorated every Team GB gold medalist by painting a post box in their home town gold. One of these gold post boxes can be found in Newent, just outside the Post Office. It celebrates equestrienne Charlotte Dujardin, who won gold in the individual and team dressage events on her horse Valegro. Dujardin, who lives and trains in Newent, also appeared on a set of stamps commemorating the achievements of our gold medal winning Olympians. 

Charlotte Dujardin became the second British woman to win three Olympic gold medals by retaining her individual dressage title at the Rio 2016 Olympics, once again on Valegro.