113: Soudley Ponds and Blaize Bailey (Forest of Dean 2018)

FOREST OF DEAN WALK FEATURING SOUDLEY PONDS AND BLAIZE BAILEY VIEWPOINT
"Soudley Ponds and Blaize Bailey”
Filmed 29th August 2018
Post-production completed 30th May 2019
I revisit the village of Soudley with its picturesque ponds. My walk takes me briefly to an old Roman Road and then from Soudley Ponds I take in the fantastic view of the River Severn from the viewpoint at Blaize Bailey. I pass the Dean Heritage Centre before finishing my walk back beside the lovely Soudley Ponds…..
Filmed in the Forest of Dean in the county of Gloucestershire. Locations include Blackpool Bridge and the Roman Road, Upper Soudley, Soudley Ponds, Blaize Bailey viewpoint, Foundry Wood and the Dean Heritage Centre. This is part of the series of films shot in 2018 celebrating 25 years of “The Solitary Rambler”.
Written, researched, directed, camera and sound, edited and music by Patrick Leach.
Click here for a map showing the route of the walk: osmaps.ordnanc...
"The Solitary Rambler" is my series of amateur films of my journeys in the countryside accompanied by my own musical scores, which I compose and perform on my Yamaha keyboard.
Please note that, as with all the films I make, this is not actually intended to be an extensive guide to the area. This is a mini-movie of my personal journey along the walk, in which I often share some of my own personal stories.
If you are new to my channel, I strongly recommend reading the description under the “about” tab, which will provide a clearer understanding of what to expect in my films: / solitaryrambler
There is also a short “Introduction to the Solitary Rambler” video, which briefly explains what my films are all about: / solitaryrambler
DISCLAIMER: Although I work hard to ensure all information is correct to the best of my knowledge, I am only featuring information I have found online and/or in books during my research when putting this film together, so I cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors.
Many thanks and I hope you enjoy watching!
IF YOU ENJOY MY CHANNEL THEN PERHAPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT ME:
For a small fee you can download any of my musical soundtracks I have composed for my films: patrickleach.b...
Or if you would like to make a small donation with no obligations then you can do so through Buy Me a Coffee: ko-fi.com/soli...

[@purpleplump6650]

Lovely video, back to my roots.... loved seeing the area I was brought up in...... spent many happy hours around the ponds and blaize bailey 😊

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you for your kind comments! it certainly is a lovely area. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

Soudley appears to be a quaint village, Patrick. The area around the Ponds has an air of serenity about it. The view from Blaize Bailey is completely amazing, with the River Severn in all its splendour. A very nice presentation, so thank you.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks for watching Ffranc. The Soudley Ponds are a lovely set of ponds in the Forest of Dean and Blaize Bailey provides probably the best view over the River Severn 👍

[@daveydoo3173]

Ive walked around Soudley ponds and up to Blaize Bailey when i was staying at Cinderford, Really amazing holiday and beautiful area, Thank you for bringing back the memories 😁😁😁

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you liked the area, thanks for watching 👍

[@kellyshaw7271]

Another upload already, you are spoiling us. I thought the ponds were beautiful and what views of the countryside and river Severn breath taking. Lovely sculptures and even a pub that has snail racing, what more can you ask for, i found this walk a delight to watch and thanks again for your time

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Kelly, glad you feel spoilt! :) It was lovely being back here to film this. I didn't go into that pub sadly, but would certainly be fascinated to watch the snail racing! Thanks gain for watching and for commenting. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@kellyshaw7271]

@@solitaryrambler you are welcome, it was lovely to watch.

[@frankfitzgerald5832]

The soudley ponds are wonderful Patrick ... i have to say i am really enjoying your jaunts around the forest of dean... Theres something so peaceful about a woodland walk ....Your making so many memories to be able to look back on ...We try and do the same with our walks up here in lancashire ..and i am so glad we started them.....Once again thank you for sharing this beautiful part of Gloucestershire ...to us all ....Frank & Lee....

[@solitaryrambler]

I enjoyed filming my jaunts around the Forest of Dean last year Frank, so great to be finally finishing some of those films! :) This woodland walk is especially peaceful beside the ponds, but once I was on the top after leaving Blaize Bailey I didn't come across another soul on that stretch back to Soudley. Thanks again Frank and Lee for watching. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@MikeWellington-x9y]

A beautiful tour, Patrick. I hail from Littledean back in the fifties and sixties. My brother and I used frequently to cycle from Littledean to the Ponds to swim and to enjoy a package of sandwiches before cycling back up to the 'Dean'. I've missed all that for years. You do a great job of presentation, mate. It's probably no coincidence that I now live in an area of Victoria, Australia, which is heavily forested, a gold mining area, and has good collection of rivers and lakes. All the best, Mike Wellington.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks for all your lovely comments and for taking the time to watch, it is much appreciated. All the best 👍

[@richardchan9595]

What a pleasantly surprised Patrick! Didn't expect another wonderful video from you so soon, but I'm delighted. Thank you!

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad to have given you a pleasant surprise Richard, thanks again for watching! Cheers, Patrick :)

[@pete7179]

Lovely walk Patrick,I always look forward to your films,the ponds look stunning,I'd never heard of them,would love to do that walk starting at the Dean heritage centre which looks a great spot too,but I'v just taken a look and it's over 160 miles for me to get there,if I'm ever anywhere near the area will definately make a point of visiting,your films have given me so many ideas of places to visit this summer that I'd never even heard of before,thanks for getting round to putting this together and posting,and all the hard work that that involves,which is all your own work,all the best,and hope you get to some great places this year and can share them with us,I'm proud to say I'v watched every single minute of all 113 of your films and have loved them all. Take care,Pete.

[@WyeExplorer]

That's awesome. I agree Patrick makes excellent films. Peace. Mark

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you Pete, I'm sure you would love this walk from the heritage centre if you could get down. Soudley Ponds are stunning as you could see and the climb up to Blaize Bailey is worth it for that view over the Severn. Hopefully the hard work pays off as it's taken me over 9 months to edit this since it was filmed, so I'm glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for watching Pete and for watching every single one I've made over the years. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@WyeExplorer]

A thoroughly enjoyable upload Patrick. That old road at the start seemed to set the scene for another journey down old roads. I have to say as I was listening to you I was looking at them beautiful surroundings and imagining a camp site somewhere - waking up there would be a dream. Great views at the end - I was straight on the map. As for the heritage center Paul and I met the boss at Cleddon falls a few years back. It looks pretty cool. Well, your smile said it all. Have a great weekend. Mark.

[@solitaryrambler]

Hi Mark, that old road was definitely a good start, it was a last minute choice to film it actually, but I was passing it on my way to nearby Soudley, so it seemed a shame not to shoot it. Yes I'm sure it would be wonderful to camp there, waking up beside the water, or at the view at Blaize Bailey. Great that you and Paul met the boss of the heritage centre, and at Cleddon Falls too! :) Anyway a great walk to do, thanks for taking a look Mark. Hope you're having a great weekend too. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@WyeExplorer]

@@solitaryrambler Last minute choice Patrick but one of the best in the whole video. Yeah, it would make a perfect wild camp. Who knows we might see you wake up there one day. I didn't just take a look Patrick I watched it end to end. I always watch your videos. They're brilliant as was that meeting at Cleddon. Take care.....

[@solitaryrambler]

Who knows indeed Mark :) Thanks for taking a look was just a turn of phrase, I always know you watch the films to the end. I'll be popping over to yours again soon. Have a good one Mark :)

[@WyeExplorer]

@@solitaryrambler Yes, Patrick who knows. It's all open booked. Cheers my friend...

[@delmiller4184]

Thanks Patrick. I might check to see how far the ponds are from where I am visiting at the moment in Western-Under-Penyard. Great video.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Del, hope you manage to get to Soudley if you can. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@fehmiabbasi4874]

Another nice video. The relaxed and elegant feeling of serenity won my heart. thanks

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Fehmi, glad you liked this :)

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Oh yes Patrick thank you this was the place Blackpool Bridge not to far from Newent , and the ponds what a beautiful place again on my list :)

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad this was the place, I guessed it might have been when you mentioned Roman Road. Thanks for watching 👍

[@peterdovey5182]

Super well made film of my local area, if you had turned left at the house at Blaze Bailey summit and walked 100 yrs to a stile and a gate, you would have received a far better view down over the Severn without any trees in the way. Maybe next time. Many thanks again for showing.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks for watching and commenting. Yes I enjoyed coming down to the Forest in 2018 to make this and many other films in the area. Thanks again 👍

[@Randyvanbag]

You missed out the iron age fort between the old school house and the ponds! Looks like you'll have to come back and make another video! 😉

[@solitaryrambler]

Ha ha I'll let you film it in that case! :)