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48hrs in the forest of dean

John and Gill Chare live between Warwick and Solihull in Warwickshire.  They have visited the fabulous Forest of Dean before but never for more than a few hours. They jumped at the chance of spending 48 hours discovering the Dean, as this wonderful and unique area is known locally.While they may be retired, John and Gill enjoy an active life, so there was plenty for them to get their teeth into as they put their best feet forward on the tracks and trails that crisscross the historic, beautiful and fantastic Forest.

day one

lydney harbour

The ghosts of a previous time are here from when the harbour was a thriving port. Pictures around the old docks show how busy it was with coal being unloaded from the Forest rail network on to coal barges.The old turntable is still here. Skeletons of old barges can be seen in the sand of the shoreline. From the harbour can be seen both Severn bridges, Berkeley Castle and Berkeley and Oldbury nuclear power stations. Of particular interest are the massive lock gates between the estuary and the outer harbour, the inner harbour today houses the yachts of Lydney Yacht Club. Plans are being considered to build a hotel and restaurants around the harbour.

taurus crafts, lydney

This is a must visit for anyone looking for an unusual and personal gift for a loved one.
There is a collection of artists' studios and workshops, including a potter and makers of stained glass, soap, candles and even chocolate.  A large gift shop dominates one end of the site, which is on Lord Bledisloe's historic Park estate, and there is also a restaurant and delicatessen with fine local meats, cheeses and other produce. Beyond Taurus Crafts is the excellent garden centre Coinros Nursery.

forest of dean model village & gardens

Owner Jane O'Brien has worked tirelessly to recreate this model village of the Forest of Dean. You start at Symonds Yat and then follow the path via the house of famous Victorian actress Sarah Siddon in Lydbrook to a composite of Lydney, Newent and Coleford. Around the edge is a miniature railway under construction. Features also include local sporting fixtures.

At dusk all the buildings are lit, the effect is magical. Plans for the future include play areas for children and more famous houses. Jane can arrange wedding receptions and other functions. While standing in the entrance at dusk looking at the three big pine trees all lit up it is easy to imagine yourself in the West Indies, the only thing missing is the sign 'Beware of falling coconuts'. A great place to spend an hour in, especially for the children.

the golden mile

A lovely road lined with trees which look exquisite in autumn and also is a sight to behold in May when the woodland floor is filled with bluebells. It runs from the Speech House to the New Fancy viewpoint. Take this route to the Dean Heritage Centre.

dean heritage centre, soudley

The centre is sited in what once was a water wheel driven furnace for smelting the local iron ore producing iron products, many of which are featured in the exhibits.

Later the same mechanism drove a saw mill and again wooden products were made here. Visit on a Wednesday and see Sarah or Gina on reception and ask them to find John Belcher. He will give a guided tour ‘extraordinaire'. A local historian - is there anything he doesn't know? Remains from 2,000BC to the present day are featured and modern day artisans have studios here.

Of great interest is the Victorian cottage rebuilt by a local builder. There is also a Victorian classroom and children's artistic area. On the upper floors are working engines, including the Lightmoor Colliery Engine, and new exhibits including locally made grandfather clocks of all ages. On the way out visit the restaurant which is warm and serves great food. The centre is of great interest to visit on the tourist trail.

day two

puzzle wood

A truly magical and haunting experience. Open cast mine used by early man and Romans, now overgrown by huge trees. Ancient mined rocks have a thick covering of moss and lichen. A huge number of paths wind in and out of the massive rocky chasms caused by the mining. You can lose yourself there for hours. It is not surprising, therefore, that a recent episode of the BBC One fantasy drama Merlin was filmed there. Local legend has it that Tolkien visited and used this wonderful landscape for his inspiration of scenes in Lord of the Rings.

clearwell caves

Run by Ray Wright and his son Jonathan, this is a must-see. These mines have been worked since prehistoric times, originally for ochre and later for iron ore. Early artefacts found here have been dated at 4,500BC - the Neolithic Period. The Romans worked the mines after 34AD. Closed in 1945 as a working mine, it was brought back to life in 1968 when Ray realised the value of such a wonderful historic site. Since then it has been gradually opened so that you can now see the way the iron ore and ochre was extracted. Today, Ray and Jonathan still work to obtain the ochre orange, brown and purple greatly in demand by artists.

symonds yat rock

Rising high above the River Wye, Yat Rock gives you great views from several points to Herefordshire in one direction, Monmouthshire in another and Gloucestershire and the Forest in a third as the Wye flows around it. The hills and mountains of Wales can be seen in the distance. This is an area of extreme beauty.

the saracen's head, symonds yat east

Originally built in the 16th Century this hotel and restaurant is at the foot of Yat Rock alongside the river in Symonds Yat, where a hand-operated ferry will take you across to the other bank.

The Saracen's boasts several local beers and food in the restaurant is excellent. From outside the inn, a long walk can be taken following the river to the famous bouncing Biblins footbridge, or, for the more fit a steep path takes you up to Yat Rock high above.

the way home.....newent, cowdy glass and st mary's church

To the north of the region is the town of Newent, famous for its old market hall and church.

Cowdy Glass is an exhibition of sculptured glass from around the country.
Prices vary from £50 to £5,000. All of the exhibits are brilliant concepts in glass and all are original. Well worth a visit.

St Mary's Church has been a place of worship for almost 800 years. The 150ft spire on its 14th century tower is a landmark for miles around. Inside is the tomb of a medieval knight, possibly Sir Thomas de Grandison, and his lady.