Suggested walks
Around Bodenham Farm and ArboretumPlease refer to the map given to you upon admission.
Paths may be slippery, suitable footwear is recommended.
Please note that the Bodenham Brook is the Arboretum boundary.
For most walks we recommend turning left outside the Visitor Centre, adjacent to the car park.
Long Boundary Walk
Length – approx. 2 miles
May be muddy, and includes some hills up and down, kissing gates, with extensive views.
Turn right out of Visitor Centre and follow signs to the Five Pool Walk. Turn right at the Fountain Pool and walk down to the bottom of the valley and on into Bodenham Wood. Follow the brook upstream along the forest track. Continue along the forest track by Bodenham Brook up to The Ridge, walk through the Ridge along the top of the field to The Square. Walk through the field, along the top of the Poplar Dingle. Either carry on to Lower Redding’s, walk to the end and return to the top of the poplar Dingle, or walk down through the Poplars and back to the Visitor Centre.
Five Pool Walk and Bodenham Brook
Length – approx. 2 miles
May be muddy, and includes some hills up and down, kissing gates, with extensive views.
Turn right out of Visitor Centre and follow signs to the Five Pool Walk. Turn right at the Fountain Pool and walk down to the bottom of the valley and on into Bodenham Wood. Follow the brook upstream along the forest track. Continue along the forest track by Bodenham Brook up to The Ridge, walk through the Ridge along the top of the field to The Square. Walk through the field, along the top of the Poplar Dingle. Either carry on to Lower Redding’s, walk to the end and return to the top of the poplar Dingle, or walk down through the Poplars and back to the Visitor Centre.
The Big Pool and Ryland’s Grove
Length – approx. 1/3 mile.
A must for all visitors, disabled friendly, approximately 1/3 of a mile on gravel and hard paths. From Visitor Centre turn left, follow signs to Ryland’s Grove, continue to the Old Drive. Turn right and follow drive back to the Visitor Centre.
Poplar Dingle, Lower Reddings, The Square and The Park
Length – approx. 1 mile
Extensive views and climbs up and down one hill.
Turn left out of the Visitors Centre and follow the signs to the Poplar Dingle. Continue along up through the dingle to the top. Either turn left along the field to Lower Redding’s, walk to the end and retrace your steps to Poplar Dingle, or turn right at the top of the Poplar Dingle and follow the field path to the Square. Cross the field to the Top Pool, down through the Park and back to the Visitor Centre.
The Big Pool, Ryland’s Grove and Farmyard
Length – approx. ½ mile
A must for all visitors, suitable for small-wheeled wheelchairs, prams / pushchairs.
From Visitor Centre turn left, follow signs to Ryland’s Grove, continue to the Old Drive and follow the hard / gravelled path past the farm buildings and over the dam of James’s Pool and follow the road back to the Visitor Centre.