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The Great Britain Guide

National landscapes (AONB) · South West England

Fire and Water Boats

In or near Ruardean Woodside.

Free admission

Fire and Water Boats — Public artwork (sculpture) by David Nash.

Octopus-like tree base, Forest of Dean - geograph.org.uk - 869092

Pauline Eccles — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
3 h–6 h
Nearest railway station
Rookwood · 5.0 km
  • Free entry
  • Dog-friendly

About

Fire and Water Boats is a place of interest in Gloucestershire, the West Midlands. The site is within the Wye Valley National Landscape (AONB), and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. It sits within the Forest of Dean parliamentary constituency. The nearest railway station is Rookwood, about 5.0 km away. Postcode area GL16.

Photo gallery

360° viewimagery from 2025

Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0

Official information

Fire and Water Boats is an outdoor sculpture installation by David Nash, featuring a collection of small charred boats set in a green marsh. The sculptures, made from a felled oak, evoke the remnants of an ancient civilization and are part of a larger artistic expression in the natural landscape.

Protected designations

  • Site of Special Scientific Interest: River Wye SSSI
  • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Wye Valley

Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.

Place summary

Fire and Water Boats, located in West Dean, Gloucestershire, is situated within the River Wye Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). These designations highlight the area's ecological significance and natural beauty.

AI-generated from the structured facts on this page (operator, designation, listing, era). Not a substitute for visiting.

Coordinates
51.8155, -2.5597
County
Gloucestershire
Parish
West Dean
Postcode
GL16 7EH
Parliamentary constituency
Forest of Dean
Nearest railway station
Rookwood5 km

Sources

Other places nearby

Nearby

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Black Dome

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Where to eat & stay near Fire and Water Boats

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B&Bs · South West England

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Edale House B&B — a bed-and-breakfast in england west midlands.

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Hostels · West Midlands

Wye Valley YHA

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Campsites · South West England

Whitemead Forest Park

Whitemead Forest Park — a campsite in england west midlands.

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Places to eat & drink

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Fire and Water Boats?
Fire and Water Boats is in Gloucestershire, the West Midlands, United Kingdom (postcode GL16 7EH), in the parish of West Dean.
What is Fire and Water Boats?
Fire and Water Boats — Public artwork (sculpture) by David Nash.
How do I get to Fire and Water Boats?
The nearest railway station is Rookwood, about 5.0 km away. Drivers can use postcode GL16 7EH.
Is Fire and Water Boats a protected site?
Yes — Fire and Water Boats is part of the River Wye SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest and the Wye Valley National Landscape (AONB).
Is Fire and Water Boats free to visit?
Yes, Fire and Water Boats is free to enter.
How do I get to Fire and Water Boats?
The nearest railway station is Rookwood, about 5.0 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode GL16 7EH.