Cannop Ponds
Encyclopedia
Cannop Ponds are two large ponds, just north of Parkend
in the Forest of Dean
, Gloucestershire
, England. The ponds, and surrounding area, are a popular tourist destination.
And area of reeds above the top pond, known as 'Cannop Bridge Marsh', is a nature reserve managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
.
, to a waterwheel at Parkend Ironworks
. The flow of water proved unreliable and an upper pond was added in 1829 to boost the supply.
s, Reed Warblers
and a pair of nesting Mute Swan
s. However, the presence of wildfowl on the ponds has been a source of friction with local fishermen.
Parkend, Gloucestershire
Parkend is a village, located at the foot of the Cannop Valley, in the Royal Forest of Dean, West Gloucestershire, England, and has a history dating back to the early 17th century...
in the Forest of Dean
Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. The forest is a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.The...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, England. The ponds, and surrounding area, are a popular tourist destination.
And area of reeds above the top pond, known as 'Cannop Bridge Marsh', is a nature reserve managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is the Gloucestershire local partner in a conservation network of 47 Wildlife Trusts. The Wildlife Trusts are local charities with the specific aim of protecting the United Kingdom's natural heritage...
.
History
The lower pond was created in 1825 to supply water, via a leatLeat
A leat is the name, common in the south and west of England and in Wales, for an artificial watercourse or aqueduct dug into the ground, especially one supplying water to a watermill or its mill pond...
, to a waterwheel at Parkend Ironworks
Parkend Ironworks
Parkend Ironworks, also known as Parkend Furnace, in the village of Parkend, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, was a coke-fired furnace built in 1799...
. The flow of water proved unreliable and an upper pond was added in 1829 to boost the supply.
Facilities
Facilities at the ponds include a large car park, information boards, picnic tables and a waymarked walk. The ponds also feature on the Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail.Wildlife
The ponds are a well-known site for Mandarin DuckMandarin Duck
The Mandarin Duck , or just Mandarin, is a medium-sized perching duck, closely related to the North American Wood Duck. It is 41–49 cm long with a 65–75 cm wingspan.-Description:...
s, Reed Warblers
Reed Warbler
The Eurasian Reed Warbler, or just Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus, is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds across Europe into temperate western Asia. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa....
and a pair of nesting Mute Swan
Mute Swan
The Mute Swan is a species of swan, and thus a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is native to much of Europe and Asia, and the far north of Africa. It is also an introduced species in North America, Australasia and southern Africa. The name 'mute' derives from it being less...
s. However, the presence of wildfowl on the ponds has been a source of friction with local fishermen.