Founder's Walk
A longer stroll through the growing Forest, taking in new tree planting, more mature woodland and meandering brooks. Discover the Founder’s Rock and pass by the Heart of England Forest Arboretum, or step off the trail to pay it a visit.
The start / finish point for this walk is Dorothy's Wood car park:
Address: Welford Road, Barton, B50 4NP
OS Grid Ref: SP 11632 51325
What3Words: ///mush.apart.joke
The Founder's Walk starts and finishes at Dorothy's Wood car park. This car park and woodland walking route is being provided for your enjoyment and we ask that you donate via the post in the car park or by text.
This walk has no stiles, steps or kissing gates but features several single person width bridges and a walk through metal gate (with fitted bottom rail to step up over). The route crosses the public highway.
The habitat audio trail & Forest story audio trail are available on this walk. You can download the Forest Trails app for iOS and Android. Learn more about Forest audio trails here.
Begin walk
![A large rectangular sign that says 'Dorothy's Wood', surrounded by new spring vegetation.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_1.png)
![A close up of a tree dedication, including plaque and a thriving young tree in a protective tree guard.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_0.png)
![A clear view of the top of an audio trail post looking downhill over the tree dedication area in Dorothy's Wood.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_0.png)
![A woodland sign saying 'Dorothy's Wood' running adjacent to a woodland pathway.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_0.png)
![A wooden bridge in the foreground leading to an open area of new woodland next to Dorothy's Wood.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%285%29_0.png)
![A close up of the top of a gate leading on to a road.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_0.png)
![A fork in a woodland path along the Founder's Walk.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_0.png)
![An open area of woodland surrounded by mature trees.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%288%29_0.png)
![A woodland gate leading to another area of woodland in the Forest.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%289%29_0.png)
![A view of Collett's pond on a sunny summers day.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2810%29_0.png)
![A view of a large rectangular sign saying 'Dorsington Wood' on the right with an open pathway through the woodland.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2811%29_0.png)
![The statue of Felix Dennis and the Founder's Rock in Dorsington Wood.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2812%29_0.png)
![A view of a wooden bridge across Noleham Brook.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2813%29_0.png)
![A view from a wooden bridge looking towards a gate in to the Arboretum.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2813a%29.png)
![A road sign saying 'Dorsington' along the side of a road.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2814%29.png)
![A pathway running adjacent to an open area of woodland surrounded by mature trees.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2815%29.png)
![A concrete bridge over Noleham Brook, following the Founder's Walk route.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2816%29.png)
![A wooden bridge crossing Noleham Brook.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2817%29.png)
![An ajar gate leading to a road, and another area of woodland across from it.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2818%29.png)
![](/themes/custom/hoeftheme/img/clickformore.png)
![A view of the metal gate near the River Avon along the Founder's Walk.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2819%29.png)
![A view of the loch on the River Avon with a weeping willow next to it - the path follows along the river.](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Untitled%20design%20%2820%29.png)
Thank you to volunteers Anne-Marie and James for contributing these wonderful woodland walk photos.