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 Welcome
to a genuinely magical place - one of England’s ancient forests,
the Royal Forest of Dean, has something for everyone.
Its 27,000 acres of woodland bringing a blaze of colour in autumn,
the vivid colours of spring flowers and abundant wildlife, from
peregrines and buzzards to deer, and even the odd wild boar, plus
warm and friendly hospitality make this an unbeatable destination.
Come once and you’ll certainly want to return!
The magic of the Forest has inspired writers such as J R R Tolkien,
J K Rowling and Dennis Potter, as well as providing themes for photographers,
painters and craftsmen and women working in wood and stone.
Designated a National Forest Park in 1938, there is a huge range
of interest amongst the woodlands and in the river valleys to the
east and west. The Wye Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty (AONB), while the Severn boasts salmon and the world’s
most famous tidal bore, not to mention the cider making based on
local apples and pears, and the renowned Blaisdon plums. To the
north lies the Vale of Leadon, with rolling farmland and some of
England’s most productive vineyards.
The area has a rich and varied heritage, extending back to Roman
times, and well before. Arthur’s Cave, near Symonds Yat, has
a long history of occupation  stretching
back to the Iron and Stone Ages, and the first colonisation by man
in the early Palaeolithic period.
This history can be appreciated in all its variety at the Dean Heritage
Centre in the Soudley Valley, south of Cinderford. Visitors can
also see iron mines, coalmines and many other Forest heritage sites,
including Lydney Harbour, which exported hundreds of thousands of
tons of wood, coal and iron. Nelson depended upon Forest of Dean
timber, and Mushet, Bessemer, and other industrial pioneers used
Forest skills to help build Britain’s industrial revolution.
While the mines and docks provide interesting places to visit, the
ultimate tourist experience is the Forest itself, with its woodland
walks, and adventure activities, including a unique treetop walk
at Mallards Pike, providing enjoyment for all ages. There is a huge
range of opportunities for ornithologists, photographers, cyclists,
walkers, and artists, as well as a wide choice of woodland parks
and camping sites, hotels and B&Bs for visitors.
This varied environment is interspersed with many ponds and lakes,
remnants of the industrial heritage, now populated by a wide diversity
of birds and fish, and linked by paths and a network of cycle tracks
through the Forest. You can visit a model village, enjoy guided
walks, take a steam train ride on the Dean Forest Railway, learn
new crafts, or follow millions of years of geological history, all
covered by more than 60 separate attractions in the Dean. With the
Ryder Cup 2010 happening nearby, there are also some great opportunities
to practise your golf swing.
The Forest also has a variety of eating experiences, from traditional
English fare to the latest cuisine, often based upon local, high
quality, organic food, and if you wish, a barbecue under the trees
by a clear Forest stream can be a delightful way to spend a summer
day. Mallards Pike has been named by Warburtons Bakers as the best
place in the south west to picnic in the 2010 awards following a
public vote. Official tourism website: www.visitforestofdean.co.uk
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