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About Us
Mallards Pike is in the centre of the Forest of Dean and is a beautiful lake surrounded by woodland.
Many ponds in the Forest were made to supply water wheels that powered the mills and iron forges and are remnants of the Forest's industrial past. Once these were no longer required some were transformed by Forestry England for the community's enjoyment.
You might think that the name Mallards Pike refers to a pike (fish) or to a mallard duck. This pike is actually a turnpike or toll road; the mallard comes from a Mr Maller, who lived until the early 1950s in a toll keeper's cottage. Maller's Turnpike eventually became Mallard's Pike.
Mallards Pike is an ideal starting point for a walk or bike ride. This is the main location for Go Ape, the family cycle trail passes by here and there's a fab cafe too.
There are miles of tracks to discover, a number of walking trails and running trails ranging in distance from 2km up to 10km. The lakeside path has easy access, is flat and fairly wide and has benches dotted alongside it - good vantage points for watching mandarins and other ducks.
There are two permanent BBQ stands which are free to use, but please do not place disposable BBQs on the picnic tables. Several picnic tables are sited with views over the lake.
There is also an unusual sculpture of a mermaid and a frog on one of the banks which no one knows the origins of. If you find out please let us know!
Book Tickets
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled access
- Disabled toilets
Catering
- On-site catering
- Picnic site
Children
- Baby changing facilities
- Children welcome
Parking
- Parking with charge
Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
- Public toilets
Suitability
- School Trips
Target Markets
- Accepts groups
- Coach parties accepted
Opening Times
* Open every day except Christmas Day. The site opens at 8.00 every day and the closing times are as follows:
- November to February - 5:00pm
- March - 6:30pm
- April - 8:00pm
- May to August - 9:00pm
- September - 7:30pm
- October - 6:30pm
